Children don't understand what the first line is saying. The only thing that they know is that the ducks are looking for a home. What it is really saying is that Mrs. Mallard is being picky about where she lives with her family. This is like most mothers; they are picky about the neighborhoods that they choose for their families to live in. The ducks are looking for a safe place to live and raise their family. Children at this age have no clue what the idea of raising a family means. McCloskey enlightens the children but having the parent read the names of the ducklings. All of.
them rhyme with the word duck. Their names are Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. By the end you are so tongue-tied that you wonder if you can make it through the next sentence. Over all the language in this story is fairly easy and most children who know how to read can read this story. Whether they understand what the story is trying to relay to them may depend on each child and their ability to understand what they read.
I believe that the intended audience for this children's book should be aimed at the older children who know what the meaning of family is, and how important for them to be safe. This story is aimed at both boys and girls because it shows the concept of family and that all must be involved. It also is aimed at family values. I think that is why I liked the story so much as a child. .
The central theme of the story is about family and finding the perfect place to raise a family. The officers helping the ducklings threw the city implies safety in crossing streets and intersections. "The car kept speeding by and honking they made such a noise that Michael came running, waving his arms and blowing his whistle. He planted himself in the center of the road raised one hand to stop traffic, and beckoned with the other, the way policemen do, for Mrs. Mallard to cross over" (McCloskey).
