"One can never have too many friends."

Quackling was proud when the King came to him to borrow money. But years passed, and the King never paid him back So, he took his sack and started for the castle. But a very small duck will need very good friends when he gets there

Will Quackling get what he wants, or something even better? Find out in this lively, rhythmic retelling of a favorite European folk tale.

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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King's Daughter," and many more children's books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.

Wendy Edelson is the award-winning illustrator of "The Baker's Dozen," "Christmas Truce," and many more children's books. She has applied her talent to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association.

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" A] lively folktale retelling . . . Edelson enhances the allegorical tale, about goodness and honoring commitments, with striking renderings of anthropomorphic animals." -- Publishers Weekly, July 30, 2018

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SAMPLE

Once there was a very small duck with a very loud quack. So they called him Quackling.

Now, Quackling was clever and he worked hard, so he saved up a good deal of money. In fact, he saved up so much that the King himself came to borrow some.

Quackling was proud to loan his money to the King. But a year went by, then two, then three, and the King never paid him back.

"I've waited long enough," said Quackling. So he took a sack for the money, and he started for the castle, calling,

"Quack Quack Quack
I want my money back "

Before long, he came upon a ladder leaning against a wall.

"Where are you going, Quackling?" said Ladder.

"To the King for my money," said Quackling.

"To the King " said Ladder. "How wonderful Will you take me with you?"

"Why not?" said Quackling. "One can never have too many friends." And he called out,

"Quack Quack Quack
Ladder into sack "

Quick as you can blink, Ladder was in the sack. Then Quackling walked on, calling,

"Quack Quack Quack
I want my money back "