Edith and the Duckling

Dare Wright's Edith and the Duckling follows the adventures of a doll named Edith who finds a duck egg. The story centers on her efforts to protect and care for the egg. Edith faces multiple challenges in her caretaking mission and must make decisions about how to handle the responsibility. The black and white photographs that accompany the text show both Edith's emotional journey and the natural world she inhabits. The tale depicts the intersection between innocence and duty, exploring how caring for another being can lead to growth. Through Edith's experience, the book addresses universal themes of nurturing and the rewards of commitment.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Dare Wright's overall work: Readers either connect deeply with Wright's "Lonely Doll" books from childhood or find them unsettling as adults. Many reviewers describe the books' lasting emotional impact, with one Goodreads user noting "these images stayed with me for 40 years." Readers appreciate: - Innovative use of black and white photography - Simple yet emotionally resonant stories - Authentic portrayal of childhood feelings of loneliness - Nostalgic appeal for those who read them as children Common criticisms: - Dark undertones and themes some find inappropriate for children - Spanking scenes that haven't aged well - Photography style that can appear eerie or disturbing - Basic plotting that adult readers find repetitive Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: The Lonely Doll - 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: The Lonely Doll - 4.3/5 (180+ reviews) LibraryThing: The Lonely Doll - 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) Several reviewers note purchasing the books to replace beloved childhood copies, while others report finding them "creepy" or "psychologically complex" upon adult rereading.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey A family of ducks navigates city life while searching for a new home in Boston.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton A small countryside house watches the world change as the city grows around her.

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack A young duck on the Yangtze River experiences adventures after becoming separated from his family.

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward A mother bunny proves her worth to become one of the five Easter bunnies who deliver eggs to children.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf A gentle bull in Spain chooses to sit and smell flowers rather than fight in the bullfighting arena.

🦆 Author Dare Wright shot all the photographs for the book herself, using her childhood doll Edith as the main character - a signature style she used across her various children's books. 📷 The black and white photography in the book was revolutionary for its time (1964), offering a stark contrast to the colorful illustrations common in children's literature of that era. 🎭 The book's protagonist, the doll Edith, was based on Wright's actual childhood companion - a Lenci doll given to her by her mother in the 1920s. 🌊 The story takes place on Fire Island, New York, where Wright spent many summers photographing and creating her stories among the dunes and shoreline. 📚 This book is part of a larger series featuring the doll Edith, including "The Lonely Doll" (1957), which became Wright's most famous work and sparked controversy years later for its themes and imagery.