Duck is known for growing prize-winning jelly beans, but when the king dupes him into loaning out his candy collection and doesn't give it back, Duck knows he has to take matters in his own hands. Thus he sets off on a quest, along with his friends, including a dog with a hurt paw, a ladder, a brook, and a horde of wasps. But when Duck arrives, the king repeatedly orders his mother to kill Duck. Unfortunately for the king and his mother, Duck brought along his trusty friends! At the end, does Duck have room for forgiveness, so he can let one more friend into his life? That's right -- the king himself wants Duck's companionship.
The varying rhyme that appears throughout is quite catchy, and it's fun to see how each companion takes turns helping Duck with his quest. However, it's a little hard to believe that duck had no idea that "loaning" out his jelly beans to the juvenile king would mean he'd never get them back. Also, the king's mother's repeated attempts to kill Duck are a bit violent, and it's difficult to believe afterward that Duck would shrug it all off and become friends with the king -- or that the king would want to do so after Duck's various retaliations. Perhaps less stilted and confusing illustrations would have helped with story buy-in.
EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Caryn
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