Gracie, the Public Gardens Duck.

Gregory Bryan is a member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Gracie, the Public Gardens Duck is Judith Meyrick’s imaginative story about a persistent duck. Gracie lives in Halifax Public Gardens, relying on park-goers for handouts until a sign is erected prohibiting the feeding of ducks. Having become accustomed to being fed by people, Gracie finds life is suddenly much more difficult.

The text seems occasionally to stumble as it negotiates the borders of realistic fiction and animal fantasy. Richard Rudnicki’s detailed and brightly coloured illustrations are rendered in watercolours and markers. Some of the artwork is distractingly crowded. Despite these reservations, young readers will be interested to read about Gracie and her creative problem-solving efforts. The book will be of particular interest to the many families who enjoy going to parks to feed the local ducks. Recommended with reservations.