Ducky the Spy
Sean Avery is an Australian author with a handful of humorous picture books in print in the US. This is his first graphic novel published in the states and it has the same quirky, manic humor that many Australian children’s books seem to feature.
Readers start the story by meeting Ducky, always portrayed in profile with a large, staring eye, plump beak, black fedora, and trenchcoat. Ducky’s boss, and the boss of the whole farm, is Mr. Pig, a massive pink sphere with floating eyebrows and a small pink bowtie. Mr. Pig has a secret mission for Ducky, but it won’t be easy to get them started. Just when Mr. Pig thinks he’s getting somewhere, Donny the Donkey, Ducky’s “partner” shows up. Finally, Mr. Pig manages to explain the mission – someone is stealing from his personal slop trough. Ducky is on the case! Maybe. Sort of… Along the way there will be disguises, lasers, and tough-talking cats as well as a lot of confusion!
Avery’s art is hectic and explosive, with bulging eyes, dim-witted henchcats, and, of course, Donny who has buck teeth and a tendency to lose control at pivotal and stressful moments. Throughout the wild story, Ducky maintains their cheerfully bland expression, leading to wild exasperation on the part of the other animals as they bulge out of the panels in frustration. The backgrounds of the panels are shown in pastel patterns of polka dots, circles, and the occasional hearts until Donny lets loose and everything is clouded with poisonous green farts. The panels are large and, interspersed with a few full spreads, are laid out in 2, 3, or 4 panels per page. The text is bold and brief, with emotions conveyed through the animals’ wild eyes, exaggerated facial expressions, and the variation in speech bubbles. Ducky, of course, never changes expression throughout, placidly causing havoc as they go about their spying.
A recurring plot point is Mr. Pig’s assorted family, which is the only thing Ducky is confused by – Mr. Pig’s wife is a horse and his children are a chicken and a goat. His chicken daughter, Gretta, is an inventor and creates gadgets for Ducky while his son, Richard, is a goat who is kidnapped.
This is a silly story that will appeal to elementary-age readers who like lots of goofy humor in their comics and a simple, bold storyline and art. Hand to readers who are just figuring out how to tell jokes or who want a quick, funny story.
Ducky the Spy
By Sean Avery
Walker Books Australia, 2025
ISBN: 9781760659356
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9)
