This book introduces the concept of rhyming to early readers. The recognition of beginning or end sounds is important for the early childhood grades. Throughout the book, various words that rhyme with duck are demonstrated like “ducks in trucks.” By reading rhyming books such as Ducks in Muck, students can predict what rhyming word will come next and will help emerge their cueing systems. The pictures used in the book describe the meaning of the text very accurately. This can help encourage total physical response for students that may not be reading the print just yet but are using picture cues. For instance when the book says, “ducks stuck in trucks”, a picture of ducks inside trucks and are stuck behind the print. ( )

I give the guided reading book Ducks in Muck a 5/5 because it introduces the concept of rhyming to early readers. Throughout the book, various words that rhymes with duck is demonstrated. For example, “ducks in trucks.” By reading rhyming books such as Ducks in Muck, students can predict what rhyming word will come next because the same rhyming sound is used throughout the book. The book can also be interactive for students because they are able to predict what rhyming word will be used next which increases the amount of engagement the student has when reading the book. Additionally, the pictures that are used in the book describes the meaning of the text. For instance when the book says, “ducks in trucks”, a picture of ducks inside trucks is shown. Visuals that describe the text can be helpful for ELL students because they are able to observe what is happening in the picture and connect the picture to the text. Connecting the picture to the text allows ELL students to better comprehend what is occurring in the text. ( )

Ducks in muck. Ducks stuck in trucks. Trucks stuck in muck. How will the trucks and ducks get unstuck? Discover what happens to a group of friendly ducks when they play in the muck and then are taken away in a truck!

This story helps with the ending sound "uck" by using it repeatedly throughout the story. It also teaches children what the meaning of the word "muck" is.

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, April 15, 2000 (Vol. 96, No. 16))
A good, very first reader, this tells a funny slapstick story in just a few monosyllables about ducks that escape from trucks stuck in muck. Kids will see that the sounds of the words are a joyful part of reading. The physicalness of the story is there in the clear, brightly colored pictures that show how the ducks get unstuck from all those big trucks and the helpless adult drivers looking on. This makes a great read-aloud for very young preschoolers, too, especially all those fans of trucks and muck. Okay, there's not much variety in this Step into Reading title, but that's exactly the appeal of a first book. 2000, Random, $3.99. Gr. K-1. ( )