Gold Seal, Oppenheim Best Book Awards, 2006
Notable Book, IRA Children's Book Awards, 2006
Children's Holiday Recommended Reading, Talaris Institute for Advancing Knowledge of Early Learning & the Importance of Parenting
Accelerated Reader (AR) book

From Kirkus Reviews
Five ducklings could not be more excited over the hefty snowfall outside their windows. They grab their hats, coats, boots and skates; two are so wound up they can't wait for the others and so run ahead. They all skate, have a great snowball fight, skate some more and head for home to dry off and have cocoa and cake before curling up in front of a fire. Berry's first children's book is a rambunctious, rhyming ode to the joys of group skates and winter fun. The text hides cagey little numbers lessons and reinforcements of the idea of pairs (of skates, boots, ducks). Nakata's watercolor-and-ink paintings extend the exuberance of the rhyme. Her downy waterfowl slip, bounce, topple and slide across every illustration, some spot, others nearly full-bleed. Even though ducks seem to grace every picture book these days, this one's a first purchase. Storytimers will have just one word for you when you finish this: AGAIN! (Picture book. 3-5)

From Booklist
PreS-K. In her first book for children, Berry uses a simple, unforced rhyme to tell an active story about ducks romping in the snow, which makes counting simple numbers part of the fun. Kids will recognize the joyful movements of the birds, and the sounds of the words will turn them on to language. Set against plenty of white background, Nakata's lovely watercolor-and-ink illustrations, in shades of pale green and deep red, show "Five little ducks land deep in snow / Three ducks duck when the first two THROW!" After the mayhem outside, there is a delicious coming home to food and warmth, and counting ("Five little ducks dry ten duck feet") before "Ducks cuddle up on the round hearth rug, / Rosy, cozy, warm and snug." A lovely treat for the lap-sit crowd. Hazel Rochman. Copyright (c) American Library Association. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K: Five ducks spend the day frolicking in the snow, then return home to cocoa and sleep. Their activities are described in clever, rhyming verses with one or two sentences per page that subtly present simple math concepts: Five ducks tramp. Ten boots stamp. Their antics often divide them into smaller groups. Three ducks slip down the hill and slide./Two ducks, stomping, tromp inside. When they skate past a sign that reads STOP! SNOW! they crash into a deep pile and begin a snowball fight. The illustrations follow the text exactly, allowing children to count the ducks engaged in each activity. The watercolor-and-ink pictures convey the playfulness in warm, cozy tones, and a surprising amount of expression is conveyed in simple lines. The steady rhythm makes this an appealing choice to read aloud, particularly one-on-one or with a small group. Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK. Copyright (c) Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Children's Literature
Ducks are cute no matter what you do to them. In this book, five little ducks are skating and playing in the snow. After a fun day outside, they return home for a meal of hot cocoa and cake. Readers follow the ducks as they get ready to go outside, as they skate, as they throw snowballs at each other and as they trek home at the end of the day. The tale is lively, humorous and begs to be read aloud. The rhyme and phrasing is fast paced and the story is all action, no description. It is similar to a counting book in that numbers are repeated: “Five ducks toss ten boots in a jumble,” but it has more depth to it. Accompanying the text are beautiful watercolor paintings that are able to make the story come alive. Even readers in Florida will be able to picture what a snowy day is like. This is a wonderful book; it may even wind up becoming a classic. 2005, Henry Holt and Co, $15.95. Ages 3 to 6. Heather Robertson

From Bureau County Republican (Princeton, IL)
Ducks on ice skates? Yes indeed! "Five ducks toss 10 boots in a jumble, lace up skates, and begin to stumble."

The hearty skaters wobble; they wiggle; they topple; they giggle in this exuberant rhyming story that begs to be read aloud. After a lively snowball fight puts all five ducks in a deep snow pile, they scramble free, shake hands (well, mittened wingtips!) and head homeward.

As the tired and happy ducks settle down to sip cocoa by a cozy fire, young listeners will grin and say, "Read it again!"

Bonus: Watch for the cheery red cardinal hiding in many of the bright watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Recommended for reading aloud with 2 to 5 year olds or a story time treat for the whole family on a wintry day. Paula Morrow, children's literature specialist

From Montana Parent
A charming, utterly embraceable picture book about snow and skating, ducks and joy. Written in wonderful read-aloud meter and rhyme, the story takes the reader through a snowy, cold day with five little ducks who trudge out in the snow, skate on the pond, have a snowball fight and slide home to:

Cake and cocoa, milk and pie,
Five little ducks lick crumbs and sigh.
Ducks cuddle up on the round hearth rug,
Rosy, cozy, warm and snug.

The perfect ending to a snowy day.

The illustrations couldn’t be more suited to the story, with whimsical watercolor ducks, tugging off boots, rolling around on the floor and tidily hanging up snowsuits, mittens and skates. Nakata’s welcoming style invites children into the story with unencumbered ease. With their skinny little duck legs and the big lugging snow boots that seem to fit, these are ducks every kid can relate to in some way or another.

A terrific teaming of writing and illustrating, sure to delight the little duck in every house. Michele Corriel

From Washington Parent (Washington, D.C.)
Fine-feathered friends romp through the wintry chill in Duck Skates (Henry Holt, 2005, ages 2 to 6, $15.95). In rollicking verse, author Lynne Berry follows the snowy antics of five ducklings as they pull on boots, stumble across the ice, toss snowballs and finally, back indoors, sip cocoa and curl up to sleep. Preschoolers will love the lively rhymed couplets and the many opportunities to practice emerging counting skills: "Five little ducks land deep in snow/Three ducks duck when the first two THROW!" Hiroe Nakata's warm-hued palette casts a rosy glow on the playful friends. Kids will have a great time searching for the red bird and the bunnies that peek out from trees and bushes. Mary Quattlebaum

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service
Five ducks "wiggle, wobble, topple and giggle" as they try out a new winter sport in the charming "Duck Skates" (Henry Holt, $15.95). Written by newcomer Lynne Berry, this book is full of comic cheer as the ducks spend an eventful winter day on ice skates. The illustrations by Hiroe Nakata further expand the fun, showing the brightly attired ducks cavorting across the wintry landscape. (Ages 3-6). Karen MacPherson

From Monterey County Herald (Monterey County, CA)
Critters frolic in fun picture books. The pond is frozen over and there's plenty of snow on the ground. For the five little ducks that means it's time for a day of snowballs and ice-skating. Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, Lynne Berry's "Duck Skates" (Henry Holt, $15.95) follows the ducklings as they pull on their bright new boots and snowsuits and then race off to the pond. After wobbling and wiggling on the ice, they break for a short snowball fight before trudging and tromping home for a warm meal. After quacking down their cake and hot cocoa, the five ducks cuddle up by the hearth for a cozy, warm snooze. Bob Walch

From The Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY)
Duck Skates by Lynne Berry (illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, Henry Holt, $15.95). Berry's gently humorous story and Nakata's delicate watercolors, of five little ducks skating in the snow, make for an irresistible picture book for very young children.