School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Peep and Ducky are best friends, but a rainy-day playdate can be challenging. When an inside tent and a pillow fight result in bonked heads, they decide that that sort of play isn't much fun. So, they decide to venture out into the rain, thanks to an umbrella. But thunder and lightning pull them back indoors and then the day is over when Peep's mom comes to get him. Told with colorful pictures and rhyming text, this is an engaging story about "such good friends, lucky, lucky, lucky," who make the most of their time together. VERDICT Children will have fun looking at the pictures, and the text works well as a one-on-one read or as a selection for a rain-themed storytime.-Paige Garrison, Aurora Central Public Library, CO (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Friends Peep and Ducky get together for a second play date in this follow-up to Peep and Ducky. There are some minor upsets as they play-the birds "bonk heads" when their chair-and-blanket tent collapses, and both want to be the captain of an umbrella-turned-boat-but Martin and Walker keep the atmosphere upbeat and playful: "Ducky runs to Peep./ Peep runs to Ducky./ Such good friends./ Lucky lucky lucky." Once again, these two buddies provide a concise, realistic portrait of the ups, downs, and compromises inherent to friendship. Up to age 3. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
The two young friends from Peep and Ducky are back, this time having a play date on a less-than-sunny day. The bird pals have fun at Peep's house, first inside (under a blanketed table) then out (in a kiddy pool in the rain). Gently rounded black outlines filled with pastel colors illustrate the simple rhyming text of this lighthearted romp. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Rainy days are oh, so dreary, but not for Peep and Ducky.They turn a rainy day into the perfect time to play! The two feathered friends build a fort, have a pillow fight and then go outside to splish and splash. "Peep gets his boots, / and Ducky does, too. / Peep's are red, / and Ducky's are blue." The bouncy cadence rolls along, keeping equal pace with the two avian youngsters as they flit from one activity to another. Martin tones down the cutesy words from Peep and Ducky's eponymous first outing (2013), instead choosing strong, simple rhymes. Luckily for readers, the "lucky, lucky, lucky" refrain remains, echoing throughout and providing opportunities for little ones' participation. This play date wouldn't ring true without a small argument, so one is appropriately includeda power struggle over who gets to be captain of the umbrella boat. Thick, black-inked outlines can barely contain these two birds' energy, and splotches of rain won't derail their fun. Totally in tune with toddlers, this snappy read-aloud gets it right. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The two friends from Peep and Ducky (2013) return, this time entertaining themselves on a rainy day. Blue bird Peep arrives at Ducky's for a playdate, and the two amuse themselves by making a tent and having a pillow fight. Later, donning boots and rain gear, they go outside, where the wind tumbles their umbrella into a wading pool, creating a boat. Finally, thunder drives them back inside, and Momma arrives to pick up Peep. As in the first story, Martin's upbeat rhymes move this simple story along, while Walker's brightly colored mixed-media artwork (featuring lumpy bodies with expressive dot eyes) foregrounds the two friends. Admirably, Poppa stays mostly on the sidelines, interceding only to inquire about their pillow fight ( What's happening?' says Poppa. / Nothing,' says Ducky. / And Poppa just laughs. / Lucky, lucky, lucky) and to call them inside when the storm worsens. This makes a perfect read-aloud for story hours or lapsits, especially for preschoolers just beginning to navigate friendship interactions.--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2015 Booklist
