The Lumpy Duckling

I've always cared about helping people who are different, especially kids, to be accepted by others. That's why I was eager to read The Lumpy Duckling by Kai Strand, and I'm glad I did.

The title of this book is a reminder of the classic tale, The Ugly Duckling, but it's not about ducks. It's about a girl known as Wheezy (short for Eloise) and a boy who is fat and - well - lumpy. In fact Lumpy is what he's called.

But Lumpy is Wheezy's best friend and she hates the way the other kids treat him.

Then Wheezy is given a chance to make a magic wish. She wishes the others would see Lumpy the way she sees him.

But, like most magic wishes, this one doesn't turn out the way she expected.

I don't want to give away the plot, but I will say the story involves a horrible accident and Wheezy missing Lumpy - a lot. 

Kids will certainly enjoy reading The Lumpy Duckling. The characters seem alive, the magic is believable, and the book does have a happy ending.

They'll also learn that physical appearance is not what's important about people.

This book by Kai Strand is one in The Weaver Tales series and the author is certainly an excellent story weaver.

The Weaver

Kai Strand sent me a copy of her newly published book, The Weaver, and I enjoyed reading it.

It's a fantasy about Mary, who lives where storytelling is extremely important to the culture but can't tell stories well. She meets a magic creature who gives her a wish but, as in many fairy tales, the wish turns out to be more of a curse - or is it?

The plot is good and original, the characters are believable, and the language is often poetic without calling unnecessary attention to itself. The Weaver has a message kids need to hear but it doesn't hit them over the head with it.

The book is shorter than most for the nine to twelve age group, but many kids want books they can read quickly so they'll probably like this one.