Goodnight, My Duckling

In Nancy Tafuri's "Goodnight, My Duckling," a mother duck leads her brood home for the night, but one little duckling, distracted by the world, falls behind. Briefly alone, the duckling experiences a moment of mild worry before a compassionate friend steps in to offer guidance. This gentle story beautifully illustrates the themes of family love, the comfort of home, and the kindness of friends, all wrapped in a reassuring narrative perfect for winding down. It's an ideal read-aloud for preschoolers and early elementary children, offering a soft exploration of minor separation and the joy of belonging.

As a mother duck leads her ducklings home, one dawdles and is left behind but, luckily, a friend is there to help the little duckling back to his nest in time for bed.