‘Make Way for Ducklings’ isn’t about what you think

Résumé détaillé

Most people think that Robert McCloskey’s 1941 Caldecott-winning masterpiece, “Make Way for Ducklings ,” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about a family of ducks…

Zach Przystup is a Public Affairs Specialist at the US Department of State. He writes about the absurdities of modern life and parenthood on his Substack, “Ask Your Father.”

Most people think that Robert McCloskey’s 1941 Caldecott-winning masterpiece, “Make Way for Ducklings,” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about a family of ducks making their way through the great town of Boston. Until recently, I was one of them.

But upon what seemed like my billionth time reading it to my kids, I realized this book is also about something else: a man wading through a midlife crisis and the indomitable strength of a woman. Like the best Pixar movies, McCloskey is playing a subtle two-level game, appealing to kids while sneaking in some jokes for the adults.

At roughly the midpoint of the book, we see an attentive Mrs. Mallard caring for her eggs. Mr. Mallard … not so much. He’s aloof, preening his feathers on a rock a rather significant distance away from the nest. It’s enough to make you rub your chin, furrow your brow, and go “Hmm.”

Now, you may be thinking, “Give the guy some space, Przystup, however you say that — he’s about to be the father of eight!” As we’ll soon see, however, this is only the first sign of the storm clouds gathering around our feathered friend.

Eight — count ‘em, eight! — ducklings. That’s four sets of twins! We see a warm and engaged Mrs. Mallard, squatting down to meet her ducklings. She’s positively glowing.

Mr. Mallard … mmm, not so much. Wings pressed tight and clipped back against his body, he is assessing one of his ducklings — who is looking up at him, searching for some kind of reciprocity — like it has bird flu.

McCloskey didn’t need speech bubbles, so evocative were his illustrations, but if he used them Mr. Mallard might have said one of the following: “I can’t believe this is my life now,” “I’m completely roasted,” or simply, “Oh sh*t.” Clearly, Mr. Mallard is in a state of shock. If you’ll forgive me, he’s all quacked up.

On the next…

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