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Zing is the theme for this rubber ducky
By Melora B. North
Banner Staff
When John G. Keller of Truro was a little boy, his father invented a fictitious baby duck character with a rubber band leg. Over time the duck became a routine bedtime visitor when Keller’s father would tell stories to send his son on a safe journey to dreamland. The imprint made, Keller grew up to not only remember the little duck with the bouncy leg and demeanor but in retirement decided it was time to resuscitate the character to share with his grandchildren, of which he has nine, in a colorful book titled “The Rubber-Legged Ducky.”
Obviously the former children’s book publisher at Little Brown books in Boston is no stranger to what kids are looking for — he had four of his own — so when he decided to pen this charming offering he took great care to make sure he got an illustrator who would be able to translate his fanciful story into living color with a whimsical brush. Illustrated by Henry Cole, who has more than 40 books to his credit, the pictures are a perfect complement to the breezy story that weaves flights of imagination with an honest but light dose of reality and life lessons through the persona of Five, the fifth little ducky born to Mama Duck.
Keller subtly touches on bullying, sharing, the rewards reaped through observing nature, perseverance and a tight family unit. In this little fantasy there is unabashed humor intertwined with a flighty retreat to the world of La La where anything can come to be if you wish and work hard enough. It is an optimistic book that encourages children to dream and just be children while they can. The book is an uncomplicated, old-fashioned, simple story that relies on the imagination and visual sensitivity, not a computer with a cold screen and sensitive keyboard.
Keller has two other books under his belt and is currently working on a silly one involving a pig who doesn’t like to get dirty. Through his previous career he brought us “Where’s Waldo?” Popular with the kids, the Waldo series was illustrated by the English artist Martin Handford and originally titled “Where’s Wally?” before it was changed by Keller.
Of his endeavors as a writer on the other side of the editorial table, Keller says, “The comments from my editor take a little getting used to. But if you trust your editor you listen carefully. The publisher knows the reality of the market.” That said, Keller adhered to one very important decision he and his editor made together — the illustrator.
“My editor wanted Henry Cole,” says Keller. “But he was tied up. We ended up waiting a couple of years for the long-term benefit. I’m very pleased we did.”
“The Rubber-Legged Ducky” is available locally and through Barnes & Noble.
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Mallett merges Thoreau with folk music
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Apr 24th, 2008