1. The author of Make Way for Ducklings, Robert McCloskey, kept a family of ducklings in the bathtub of his apartment as he was writing the book.
2. The Make Way for Ducklings sculpture is the only one one of its kind in the world!
3. The Make Way for Ducklings book is the official children's book of Massachusetts?
4. "Oooh-ack" is definitely the proper pronunciation of duckling Ouack's name.
5. Duckling Day has been a Boston Tradition for less than 10 years.
1. True. The author, Robert McCloskey, kept a family of ducklings in the bathtub of his apartment as he was writing the book. His tolerant roommate at the time, Marc Simont, also went on to become a famous children's book writer. And in case you were thinking that might be fun? McCloskey noted, "Ducks start quacking at the break of day, very loudly and emphatically."
2. False. The duckling sculptures that the Friends of the Public Garden had made and placed in the Garden in 1987 exist in just one other place - Moscow! Raisa Gorbachev fell in love with the ducklings on a visit to Boston, and former First Lady Barbara Bush presented them to Raisa during a 1991 summit meeting.
3. True. Make Way for Ducklings is the official children's book of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts....and it's best enjoyed with some chocolate chip cookies - the official cookie of Massachusetts!
4. False. The mystery of how to pronounce "Ouack" has never been solved: some prefer "Oh-ack" and others "Oooh-ack"!
5. False. Duckling Day has been a beloved Mother's Day tradition in Boston for over 30 years! It's a morning of fun for the whole family organized by the Friends of the Public Garden.
Duckling Day is on May 10th, Mother's Day. Dress up the kids in their duckling best and enjoy entertainment and games on Boston Common - with a free mini-massage for Mom! The famous Harvard Band will lead a parade to the Make Way for Ducklings statues. The event is hosted by the non-profit Friends of the Public Garden.
Register online today.
