Dimity Duck
Illustrated by Sebastian Braun
HarperCollinsUK paperback ISBN 13-978:-0-00-719049-2
Philomel hardcover ISBN 0-399-4632-0

I wrote this in bits and pieces, having a ball with the onomatopoetic lines and then waited two years for HarperCollins editor Sue Buswell (who does my DINO books in the UK) to make up her mind. She got the marvelous Sebastian Braun to do the pictures, and published it in paperback in the UK. Then she back-sold the book to the US where it was done in hardcover and then as a board book. Alas, it did much better in the US than in the UK—go figure.

I had hoped to do a series of books about the animals at Peaceable Pond. Wrote one about school and one about a birthday party. HarperUK wanted (or the illustrator wanted) the next one to feature Frumity, and so I rewrote the entire birthday party book. Got a contract, was paid for the book—and now the project is up in the air. The illustrator is on to bigger things and not interested. Makes me wonder about publishing all over again. But I still like the first Dimity book, especially if that’s all there is going to be.

Awards:

What reviewers have said: “An irresistible yellow duckling wakes up, brushes her fuzzy feathers, dives into the pond for breakfast, and spends a pleasant day frolicking with her friend Frumity Frog. As evening approaches, Dimity's tail begins to droop and she heads for home, where she dons her nightgown, plumps her pillows, and settles comfortably into her cozy nest. Yolen's simple rhythmic language will have young listeners bouncing in their seats. . . The charming illustrations smoothly blend textures and muted pastel hues to create a soft-as-down quality that brings the duckling–and her world–vividly to life. . . . A delightful storytime choice.”--School Library Journal

“This charmer of a picture book features little Dimity Duck and her playmate Frumity Frog. The text, in a pleasing pattern of rhythm and rhyme. . . There's an appealing, old-fashioned sound to the verses that is reminiscent of nursery rhymes: "Dimity Duck waddles, / she toddles, / and grows pale, / drifty-drafty goes / her head / and droop! / goes her tail." The pleasing artwork focuses on Dimity and Frumity as the main inhabitants of the simplified, sunlit world of the pond. Easy for young children to grasp and playful in its use of language, this cheerful picture book could easily become a toddler's favorite.” –Booklist

“Dimity Duck by Jane Yolen is a great toddler book.  Dimity is a fluffy yellow duckling who wakes up, spends her day in the pond with her frog friend, Frumity, and then in the evening heads back home.  The text has a wonderful rhythm and movement to it, yet still manages to be quiet and gentle.  This is one of those elusive titles that will keep small children interested but will not make them hyper or put their adults to sleep.” – Kids Lit http://www.greenlakelibrary.org/kidslit/archives/010418.html

“This charming little book about a fluffy duck and her froggy friend is likely to become one of your child's new favorites. (I myself had to read our copy three times in a row, let the kids pore over the book on their own, and then settle a disagreement over who got to take the book to bed.)” –The Imperfect Parent