Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards

Ages 7 to 10, Grades 2 to 5

This behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the classic and beloved picture book Make Way for Ducklings will captivate young artists, writers, readers, and animal lovers alike.

While writing and illustrating the beloved picture book Make Way for Ducklings, Robert McCloskey brings a flock of ducklings into his tiny New York City apartment. But an artist + a bunch of ducklings in his apartment = chaos! There are ducklings in the bathtub and ducklings in the kitchen, quacking at dawn and sitting on his desk. Can he learn to draw them just right before they grow too big?

This glimpse into the creation of a much-loved story for kids is a must-read for fans of children’s books, or for anyone who is interested in the creative process and the importance of persistence.

“Emma Smith has done a bang-up job imagining how my father wrote Make Way for Ducklings. I enjoyed reading her book.” —Jane McCloskey, daughter of Robert McCloskey and author ofRobert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures

“A wonderfully rollicking rendition of the story behind the story.” —Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor-winning author of books for children and author of Robert McCloskey

Story Locale:New York City; Boston Public Gardens

About the Author

Emma Bland Smith is the award-winning author of The Most Famous Wolf in the West, The Pig War, as well as other fiction and nonfiction books for children. Emma is also a librarian.

Author Residence: San Francisco, California

Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist. In 2019, she won the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration for Made by Hand: A Crafts Sampler. Picture books she has illustrated include Fearless World Traveler and On the Wing. Her work is also featured in adult books, editorial publications, stationery, home decor products, and book covers.

Illustrator website: beccastadtlander.com

Illustrator Residence:Covington, Kentucky