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 remember 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 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 wants to escort her eight babies safely across the busy streets of Boston.

Fortunately, she 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 in Boston 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 beautiful statue of Mrs. Mallard being followed by her eight ducklings. 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 see them wearing Boston sports jerseys or other meaningful outfits.

I was told the story from a local woman who just happened to be out walking her dog in the gardens. She was eager to share the history of the duck statues with this curious 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 living in the park as well. 

There is More!! 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. The award winning children's story was written more than 80 years ago has become a beloved part of the city, connecting generations of families with Boston's Public Garden.

McCloskey was actually born in Ohio, but he attended art school in Boston, where he often spent time in the Public Garden. He noticed how much the ducks loved the gardens and how they would sometimes wander into the surrounding streets, holding up traffic. Those observations eventually inspired him to write Make Way for Ducklings, which has since been named the official children’s book of Massachusetts.

If you get to Boston, look for the statues in the Boston Public Gardens. If you have little ones, I highly recommend this charming book which would make a wonderful gift. 

Diane from"  Lavender Dreams "left me a comment that she found a Youtube video of someone reading this story book. I've downloaded it and added it here. Thanks Diane.

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