Make Way for Ducklings in Boston

Make Way for Ducklings in Boston

While visiting Boston, I spent some time walking through the beautiful Boston Gardens, and one of the things I discovered was the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues.

If you are aware of the children's book Make Way for Ducklings, seeing these bronze ducks in the Boston Public Garden is a little like watching the story come to life.

The Book That Started It All

    

Make Way for Ducklings was written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey and published 1941. The book became an instant favorite and went on to win the Caldecott Medal in 1942, one of the most prestigious awards for children's picture books.

The story takes place in Boston and follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, who are looking for a safe place to raise their family. They eventually decide that an island in the lagoon of the Boston Public Garden would be the perfect place to settle down.

After their eight ducklings are born—Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack—Mrs. Mallard must escort all eight babies safely across the busy streets of Boston.

Fortunately, the family gets some help from the Boston police. The story follows Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings as they make their way through the city to the Public Boston Gardens.

It is a simple, charming story, but it has become much more than just a children's book. It has become part of Boston itself.

The Ducklings Become Real

The beloved characters from the book were brought to life in bronze by sculptor Nancy Schön.

Schön created a statue of Mrs. Mallard followed by her eight ducklings, and the sculptures were placed in the Boston Public Garden in 1987. They quickly became one of Boston's most recognizable and photographed landmarks.

The statues have also become something of a Boston tradition. Visitors often decorate the ducks for different seasons and occasions, and you may even see them wearing Boston sports jerseys or other outfits.

I learned the story from a local woman walking her dog in the gardens. She was eager to share the history of the duck statues with this tourist. There was a sign but it was not easy to read.

The sign but It doesn't tell the full story

There are lots of real featured friends in the park as well. 

Duckling Day on Mother's Day

There is a fun Boston tradition that brings the story to life every year on Mother's Day.

The Friends of the Public Garden host an annual celebration called Duckling Day. Children dress up as little ducklings and take part in a parade that follows the route Mrs. Mallard and her babies traveled in the book.

The parade begins at the Boston Common and makes its way to the Public Garden, where the bronze ducklings are waiting at the end of the journey.

A Boston Tradition I Loved Seeing

For anyone who remembers Make Way for Ducklings, seeing Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings in the Boston Public Garden is one of those special moments. A children's story written more than 80 years ago has become a beloved part of the city, connecting generations of families with Boston's Public Garden.

And after seeing the statues for myself, I can certainly understand why these little ducklings have become such a treasured Boston tradition.

If you get to Boston, look for the statues in the Boston Public Gardens. If you have little ones, the book would make a fun gift. 

My Previous Post: Easy side Dish: 

Glazed Carrots with leeks, maple syrup and pomegrantes- sweet and delicious.

 

Maple- Glazed Carrots and Leeks With Pomegranate Seeds For Rosh Hashanah

When was the last time you used leeks in a recipe? This recipe for sautéed leeks and carrots with pomegranate seeds is simple, sweet, colorful and delicious. I made it for Rosh Hashanah for our holiday meal. I meant to publish it last week, but got behind while traveling. ( If you just want the recipe and not the backstory, scroll down to the bottom of the post). 

A Little Mini Vacation to Cape Cod For a Reunion

Sometimes the little mini vacations aren't about seeing as many places as possible—they're about spending time with people you really enjoy. 

I just returned last night from a six-day car trip that included Westchester, NY, Boston, Massachusetts, and Cape Cod.

Our ultimate destination was Cape Cod where we were meeting up with good friends from Florida for a snow-bird reunion. Since it’s about a seven-eight hour drive from our home in Philadelphia area, we decided to break up the trip along the way there.

Westchester NY to See Our Son and Family

Our first stop was Westchester, where we drove about two and a half hours to spend the afternoon and evening at my son’s home enjoying time with my kids and grandkids. 

Boston, Massachusetts

The next morning, we continued on to Boston, about a three-hour plus drive, where we stayed for the weekend at the home of good friends from Florida too. We enjoyed some good meals, and since we had never been to Boston before, we did a little sightseeing. We visited Beacon Street, Boston Commons, and Boston Gardens. 

At the Boston Gardens

Have you heard the famous story book about these Boston ducks? I'll do a post on it..

Cape Cod

From Boston, it was just an hour or so to Cape Cod, where we finally arrived to spend three days with seven couples who we have known and loved for 10 years now.

My friend's back yard- I know!!!!

The reason we chose Cape Cod for the reunion was that one of the couples has a magnificent summer home right on the ocean, with five beautiful ensuite bedrooms. She was able to accommodate four of the couples in her home, while another friend who spends her summers nearby hosted the remaining couple. We all gathered at the main house for activities and to enjoy meals, relax, and spend time together.

Her house

Can you guess whose house it is? 

In Florida, the guys play poker together twice a week all winter. The gals who also have become friends, get together while the guys are playing poker. We also enjoy a rich social life together with pot luck dinners, shows, rummy dub challenges, and dinners in Miami restaurants. Our 6 months in Florida is like being at summer sleep away camp.

The kitchen

Poker and Spa 

So, what did we do during our three-day reunion?

The guys played poker during the day of course!!!

The grounds of the spa

No Poker for the gals! We scheduled time at a really fancy spa where we enjoyed lunch, massages, thermal pool, steam room, sauna, followed by dinner out in the cute little tourist town of the Cape Cod city of Falmouth. 

Our Evenings

In the evenings, girls and guys came reunited. We cooked together, took walks, hung out on the gorgeous deck which faces the ocean, read books, drank wine, and watched late night movies.

It was the kind of getaway that reminds you how special good friendships are. There was no packed schedule and no need to entertain ourselves—other than the spa day, we simply enjoyed being together, catching up, laughing, eating, relaxing, and enjoying the beautiful ocean views.

It was a wonderful getaway with really dear friends.

The Seven Hour Drive Home

We left the Cape and drove back to Philly area. The seven hour ride was definitely long, tedious, and tiring, but it was worth it for such a wonderful few days that we got to spend together.

IN MY KITHEN -SEPTEMBER 2026

What’s in My Kitchen ?

September is a busy month in my kitchen because I’m getting ready for the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah and our celebrations. Right now I'm prepping in advance, and my kitchen is filled with holiday platters and ceremonial dishes, and my freezer is starting to fill up with food that I’m cooking ahead of time.

This month, I thought I’d share some of what’s in my kitchen as I get ready for the holiday.

One tradition that is very popular on Rosh Hashana is to dip apples in honey. I have a collection of honey containers and plates for the apples that we use at our ceremonial meals. 

This was my mother- in- laws honey jar- it says in Hebrew :
Have a good and sweet year. 

This is a crystal honey jar that I bought for myself.

This is a colorful dish with bees has a little well in the middle to put the honey. The apple dish is symbolic because of the apple theme for the holiday. 

This beautiful ceramic plate was a gift from a friend who joined us for Rosh Hashanah dinner one year. I really love it and it adorns our Rosh Hashanah table every year now. The little apple trees are part of the New Year theme when we dip sweet apple slices in sweet honey. 

My son gave me a few bunches of oregano that he is growing in his garden. I'm drying it in my kitchen.

 I'm collecting all my paper goods for our big holiday dinner. "Shana Tova" means "Have a good year"!!!

These beautiful peppers and tomatoes are from a local farm stand .
I made stuffed tomatoes and stuffed peppers for the holiday and froze them.

I  already made my vegetarian chopped liver recipe which I also froze for the holiday meal. It's easy to make and delicious! 

I also have local raw unprocessed honey - I usually buy multiple jars of honey and give them to my kids and sister-in-laws as gifts for the New Year.

I have 20 people coming for the 2nd night of the holiday for the big dinner. Everyone brings something to contribute to the meal such as a salad, cake, or fruit salad- But I make or order the bulk of the meal.

My Notes: 

1.This blog share, my September post, reflects on August .

2. Why am I preparing so early... I'll be traveling and returning right before the holiday.

3. For more in-depth information and holiday traditions, see my previous Rosh Hashanah Post.

I'm sharing this post with  Sherry's In My Kitchen where anyone can join in.