Reviews

Hello Mandarin Duck by Bao Phi

aeskare23's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

dylaurora's review against another edition

5.0

I've been a fan of Bao Phi for a while now, and Hello, Mandarin Duck! doesn't disappoint! The story teaches of compassion for the lonely duck and teamwork with the neighborhood, while also exposing readers to different cultures and languages. Even if the only word someone knows in another language is "hello," that is a fantastic start.

odditiex's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ljrinaldi's review against another edition

4.0

Cute picture book about inclusiveness.

A May Day parade gets a new participant, a Mandarin duck, which seems out of place. But the children welcome him to their lives, and help him to find the pond.

A very multinational group of children help the duck find its way home. And the back of the book gives a glossary of all the non-English greetings the children make for the duck.

A nice way to show how to treat refugees, with a slight nod about avoiding the police thrown in.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

abigailbat's review against another edition

A warm and colorful message of welcome with kids of many cultures saying hello in their many different languages. The story's slight and the illustrations muddle things further. I get that a duck inspired the story, but ... did we actually need a duck in this one?

antlersantlers's review against another edition

4.0

This rating/review is based on an advanced copy from Netgalley and Capstone Press.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this picture book, but it is a delight! An out of place mandarin duck meets some children on their way to a May Day parade (based on the one in Minneapolis, MN). All the children greet the duck in a different language as they get to know the it and try to guide it to water. I love all the languages and the illustrations are really so lovely. I think if I wanted to read this for story time, I would spend some time practicing all the languages. There are only 18 "welcomes" and many are phonetic. And as usual Bao Phi's author's note is lovely.

wordnerd153's review against another edition

2.0

I like the idea, but the text felt awkward and forced.

martereadsbooks's review

dark funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

lohn's review against another edition

5.0

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time pronouncing some of the words, but I am glad there was more than one language in this book, since it is not set in an English-speaking setting. The illustrations are really wonderful and I love the "scratch-style" used instead of just solid colors. The kids in this story are trying to help a lost Mandarin duck find the pond in the midst of a May Day parade.

librarianryan's review

informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

 This was a wonderful read.  A new type of duck, a mandarin duck is all alone away from the pond.  Some kids are trying to help him find water and welcoming it to the community along the way.  My favorite thing about this book is that the kids welcome the duck in a variety of languages.  The words are not explained, or the cultures given (until the glossary at the end) but you know they are saying Hi and welcome.  It was a lovely story with lovely illustrations and it expresses different cultures without trying too hard.