Even after Mother Duck warns her to stay close, little Daisy still dawdles and finds all sorts of distractions in the pond. She doesn't even realize she's lost track of her mother until danger suddenly appears. Mother Duck returns to save the day, of course, and the close call was all Daisy needed in order to learn to do as her mother asked her. Slightly exaggerated illustrations lend a humorous tone to this gentle cautionary tale. (Ages 2-4)

Daisy is one darling duckling. But she does have a problem staying close to Mama Duck during their watery wanderings. "Come along, Daisy!" is the refrain of this simple, engaging picture book, as Mom tries to keep her distracted daughter under her wing: "But Daisy was bouncing on the lily pads." After all, Daisy has other fish to spy ... and frogs to play with. When "something big" stirs beneath her, and something screeches in the sky above, however, the dilly-dallying duckling hides in the reeds, shivering. What could that scary reed rustling be? Preschoolers will be delighted to discover it's only Mama Duck, once again asking her Daisy to come along.Jane Simmons's bold, bright illustrations are not only adorable, they are artfully composed. Youngsters ages 3 and older will be charmed and comforted by this sweet read-aloud about a mother's gentle protection.(Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson