This picture book is based on the inspirational story of Lemon the
Pekin duck, who was born in an elementary school classroom.
Neurological issues make Lemon unable to walk, but with the support of
a compassionate teacher and her students, Lemon is still able to become
one happy duck!
In the story, Ms. Lake and her class conduct an egg-hatching project
in school and on the big day, welcome four little ducklings into the
world. The students soon realize that the soft yellow one they named
Lemon looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, but can’t stand up and
walk like a duck. They worry that Lemon won't be happy if she can't do
all the things ducks love to do, and work together to help Lemon
thrive. Through caring for Lemon, the students share in her victories
and learn that acceptance, love, and extra special care can go a long
way. They also come to understand that her difference doesn’t make
Lemon any less special.
To learn more about Lemon, visit www.lemontheduck.com.
Extras:
Curriculum Links for Lemon the Duck
Free Teachers' Guide / Lesson Plan
Accelerated Reader Quiz from Renaissance Learning
Read an article about how Laura and Lemon, now a pet therapy team, are touching lives
Read an article about Laura and Lemon's visit to the Buttonwoods Community Center's Camp for Diverse Learners
Read an interview with author, Laura Backman
"A clever story about accepting and supporting those with life challenges ... The illustrations are adorable and the expressions on the faces of the children in the story as they ponder how to help the loveable Lemon can be used as discussion-starters." – Library Media Connection, May 2009
"Backman has done an incredible job ... She has crafted a book where much can be learned about not only the basic development of ‘oviparous animals,’ but more importantly the value of an individual with special needs ... Lemon the Duck supports primary curriculum and teachers might use this book with children to show a ‘safe way’ to talk about disabilities ... delightfully well-written, with excellent illustrations, and a variety of purposes in a classroom." – CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Sept. 2008
“This delightful story of how a group of school children and their teacher care for a duck with special needs is based on a true story of the real Lemon the Duck. It has obvious applications for discussions about differences, the value of each individual and caring for others who need help, but it is such a great story with such wonderful illustrations that children and teachers will love it for those reasons alone.” – Canadian Teacher Magazine, January 2009
“This book is based on the inspirational true story of the author's real-life experience with a duck born in an elementary school classroom. It teaches not only about egg to duckling development but also about animals (and people) who are different and have special needs. Children need to remember that disabilities do not make anyone less special, and a book like this is a helpful way to impress such a lesson on their minds. It is a truly heart-warming story with lovely illustrations that I highly recommend.” – Stories for Children, October 2008
"By caring for Lemon, the students shared in her triumphs and defeats, and learned about love and acceptance. Most important, the children discovered that disabilities and differences don’t make a person or animal less special or valued." – RI Catholic Magazine, Oct. 2008
“Based on a real-life experience,
Lemon’s plight will tug at the heartstrings of young readers ...
Whether this is read just for the story or seen as a teaching moment
on the care of those with special needs, it is a warm and fuzzy
tale.” – Children's Literature, 2008
“Lemon not only taught students about egg to duckling development, but also an important lesson about animals with special needs. Lemon is not a throw away duck, not a mistake, not a project gone wrong, but rather a very special duck with very special needs. Students learned a valuable life lesson from Lemon and from their teacher.” – The Majestic Monthly
“This is a joyful and thought-provoking book for all ages about how animals can cope with serious handicaps ... Lemon the Duck is a chronicle of just this kind of courage. It's inspiring on the human side, too. Few people would go to the trouble of teaching a duck with neurological problems to stand up and feed on her own. Laura Backman and her students show how far love can go ... Both the text and the superb illustrations make this book a must.” – Bob Tarte, author of Enslaved by Ducks
“... a big-hearted and colourful tale based on a true story … The students' love for the duckling, plus their problem-solving skills, eventually lead them to an ingenious solution that allows Lemon to participate fully in the life of the classroom and even in that of her siblings on the farm.” – Montreal Review of Books, Fall 2008
“The colorful and vivid pictures and sweet story are sure to impress everyone, children and adults alike. This book deserves a place of honor on every children’s bookshelf.” – MomCentral.com, Oct 2008
“... lively artwork complements the hustle and bustle of the action in the story ... a tender story [that should be] in both school and public libraries.” – Resource Links, November 2008
“... [a] beautiful tale of love and caring, suitable for children ages three to seven.” – Waterloo Region Record, Sept. 2008
Staff Pick: Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore, on Cape Cod, "LOVE this book. The sweetest tale of love, acceptance, and friendship despite differences. The cheerful and unique illustrations make this true story even more enjoyable." (April 2009)
- Recommended by Reading Rockets and by The Children's Better Health Institute's Turtle Magazine
- Lemon and Laura have been featured on the NPR program “Here and Now,” the NECN (New England Cable News) program “The Secret Life of Animals,” MSNBC, WJAR-10 News Providence, WHDH-7 News Boston, “Dream Reader” (Danvers, MA Community Access Television), “Vibrant Living” (Webradio.net), and Pet Life Radio with Bob Tarte, as well as in a syndicated article by the Associated Press (article appeared in dozens of media outlets in the US and worldwide), TIME for Kids, Providence Journal, Boston Herald, Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, So Rhode Island Magazine, Newport Daily News, Fall River Herald News, Quincy Patriot Ledger, The Day (Connecticut), Majestic Monthly, New Bedford Standard Times, Sakonnet Times, RI Catholic, Stories for Children, Montreal Review of Books, CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Resource Links, South Carolina Orangeburg Times, Warwick Beacon, SouthCoastToday.com, MomCentral.com, MyBackyardNews.com, WickedLocal.com (GateHouse Media New England), and HomeschoolBlogger.com.
- The story has also received media attention in Canada (English and French), the UK, Japan, Italy, Singapore, Germany, and Taiwan.
- Selected (English and French editions), Approved List of Learning Resources: Nova Scotia
- Winner, Mala Davis Book Award (Fishing Cove School, North Kingstown, RI)
- Featured on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website (Apr. 2009)
- Author appeared at the Rhode Island State House to kick of MS Awareness Month (2009)
- Author featured at the 2010 “March Into Reading Event” at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI
- Featured
in the Humane Connection website article, “Animals
Overcoming Odds: A Sampling of Picture Books for Kids”
- Blog Reviews: Homeschool Blogger; hi5flashtoys Parenting and Toy blog, Torvex.com (Portsmouth), Vitanet.net
