Book Review: The Quacken Offers Children a Spooky Summer Tale
Get ready for a hilarious and slightly spooky adventure in “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino! In this charming picture book, we meet Hector, who encounters the legendary Quacken at Cucumonga Campground. But is the Quacken really as fearsome as they say? Find out in our review of this delightful story that blends humor with just the right amount of shivers down your spine.
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In “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino, Hector finds himself at Cucumonga Campground, where legend speaks of a terrifying creature, the Quacken, lurking in the lake. But all Hector sees are adorable ducks, until he breaks the campground’s rule and releases the Quacken by feeding the ducks. “The Quacken” turns out to be a very real, very hungry, gigantic duck who eats everything in its path. Hector runs for his life but is eventually caught by the Quacken, who turns out not to like the taste of children. Hector lives to tell the tale of the Quacken who becomes a mythical creature that becomes the subject of spooky campfire stories.
This funny and slightly spooky book is perfect for kids who love laughter with a hint of suspense. Set in a campground, it’s a story that works all year round but especially for summer, offering humor for kids and clever nods to horror movie tropes for caregivers. Justin Colón, a picture book author, and Pablo Pino, an experienced illustrator, bring this hilarious adventure to life with diverse characters and a ridiculous villain who vomits green sludge after eating something that disagrees with its belly.
“The Quacken” is a silly book that walks that fine line of not being scary, but bringing a sense of danger to its main character. Plus, as a summer read or bedtime story, it’s a fantastic choice by Latine creators, adding much-needed diversity to children’s literature.
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