I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The pictures in this book are really what makes it worth the read. They are so cute and colorful. They look like they are from a classic. The story line was just okay, but definitely check it out for the pictures.

I received this arc from NetGalley for an honest review, Oona is always the last at everything and that does not make her feel good. She hatches a plan to help her be first at some things and learns that being last has its perks.

This is a story about finding what you are good at and using that to overcome what you might not be so good at. Bim, Bam, Bop and Oona are duck siblings. Every morning the three ducks built for running and speed beat Oona to the pond. She really wishes that one day she could beat the others to the pond to see the smooth water. Oona’s friend Roy encourages her to use what she is good at, making gizmos, to reach her goal. She tries different inventions (gizmos) until she gets it right.

I absolutely loved the illustrations in this story. They are beautiful watercolours done in muted shades. They are large and extremely detailed. We talked about the illustrations and what we saw more than the story itself. I found reading the text difficult to get into a rhythm. It had some short rhyming phrases, then full sentences, then thoughts that didn't seem finished. All good techniques, but not necessarily when they are in the same book. There are some good messages in this book about not giving up even if plans go awry or don’t work the first time, being a good sport, accepting limitations, being a good friend, looking for strengths etc. I recommend this one for children who are struggling with something or need some help with perseverance. Of course, it is also a fun story about problem solving and animals. My grandson enjoyed this story and was cheering for Oona to get to the pond first. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

The artwork is lovely, and the premise had such potential, but I fear that the text fell a little flat for me personally. It just didn't have that nice even gait of most children's books, and sometimes sentences were broken up between pages - and sometimes problematically the pictures were ahead of the text descriptions. My biggest complaint is that there just wasn't enough desciptions - I was confused the first few times when Oona tried so hard but Bim, Bam and Bop still beat her to the pond - it just wasn't conveyed well. But Oona has heart! And I love her, her gizmos and her froggy friend dearly :-)

It is about Oona a duck who wants to be fast like other ducks, but because she is build a little different she cant. Illustrations are good.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

I didn't love this book overall. It has some very cool art spreads but the language was often disjointed and clunky. A nice message, as I think we've all felt a bit like Oona at times, but I think this idea has been presented more effectively.

Illustrations by Larry Day are lovely and brightly detailed. The story arc is meh, but maybe a four year old won't mind.

Charming little story for the age range. The illustrations complimented the text. I think many young child will find the message of the story sweet.

Every morning the three ducks built for running and speed beat Oona, the slower duck to the pond. She really wishes that she could one day see the pond water smooth and beat the others to the coveted spot beneath the willow. Oona’s friend Roy encourages her to use what she is good at, making gizmos, to reach her goal.

I like that it takes Oona a few tries with different gizmos to find one that will help her reach her goal. She’s a good model of not giving up even if plans go awry or don’t work the first time. I also like that she’s a good sport with the other three ducks after her triumph. Roy is a wise friend who acknowledges Oona’s limitations and encourages her to focus on her strengths and think outside the box. Recommended for readers who like plucky and persevering problem solving characters, and of course, farm story fans and animal lovers.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bim, Bam and Bop are ducks like Oona, except they are much faster than she is. Oona is always left behind until she gets super creative. I imagine this story might appeal to some children. I was really expecting more, it just wasn’t for me.
I wasn’t super thrilled with the illustrations or the ending. It was ok, it just didn’t make me want to read it to my preschoolers.
Thank you for the chance to review this title, in exchange for my honest review, my opinions are my own.

The story of getting different, on the outside, not quite right, told through such friends on the farm. When you just can't seem to get things right or can't do them as good as others, you begin to question yourself. You can either shun yourself or embrace what you are and the gifts you have been given. I love the story of out who you are and how you got in even if it isn't typical.

This is a story of Oona who wants to be fast like the other ducks. She tries and tries to catch up to them and be the first to the pond. Since Oona has short legs and a big body, she can never catch them. Oona is good at gizmos.

This is a good story about overcoming obstacles and using the strengths you possess. Oona isn’t able to be first because she did not have the legs and strength that the other ducks had. Finally, when she uses the skills that she does possess, she is able to create a way to get to the pond first. Not only does she overcome her deficiencies to obtain her goal, but she relies on a skill that the other ducks have to do something the others cannot.

A good story to teach that just because you are not like others does not mean that you cannot obtain your goals. Sometimes you can create something even better that your original goal.


I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Cute story of a short legged goose trying to get to the pond before the long legged ones do, just once. Oona uses her ingenuity to rustle up some cool inventions from around the farm to create devises that help her get to the pond! Loved the illustrations! So cute! I'm betting this book will find young fans very quickly!

Such a cute book. Great for children. I live that it focused on a child finding what they are good at doing and focusing on that.

ARC Copy...although beautiful illustrations and inventive part on Oona's part, the narrative felt lacking in punch and flow.

The words are not that fun to read out loud, but the pictures of this are quite fun.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4694" src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-05-at-9.05.49-AM.png" alt="Bim, bam Bop" />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4693" src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-05-at-9.07.08-AM.png" alt="Bim Bam Bop" />

This goes from being a story about ducks getting to the pond, like any barnyard story, to a story of a duck that is good with tools, and so makes a flying contraption to get to the pond, like all ducks do, of course.

It is silly, in that regard, and that is what held me. Other than that, no.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Martin's story and Day's illustrations are prefect companions. In a barnyard with three runner ducks, what is a regular duck to do? With a little support from her frog friend, Roy, Oona discovers she has just the right imagination to finally make it to the pond before the other ducks. Wonderful story that would make anyone smile and consider all the things they could achieve with a little support and a dash of imagination.