Boston's Book Nook Blog~ Bostonians Will Always "Make Way For Ducklings"

Massachusetts has adopted several meaningful symbols over past decades to represent its strong historic pride and rich sense of culture.  Examples include the primary flower being the Mayflower, the official tree being the American Elm and the accredited breed of dog as the Boston terrier.  Although many local citizens are well aware of these familiar representations, how many realize that Massachusetts has also claimed a classic tale as its emblem of literature?  Published in 1941, the children's story, "Make Way for Ducklings," is noted as being the official book of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Both written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey, this sweet narration reveals a mallard family’s relocation to the Boston Public Garden.   The author amuses his readers with the adventures of Beacon Hill traffic escapades as well as pinpointing popular sites and landmarks infamous to this city. 

McCloskey has been long honored for his efforts, awarded with the Caldescott Medal in 1942 for his innovative illustrations by charcoals which were lithographed into zinc platelets.  Praised for his incredible eye for detail, the author once admitted that he lived with several ducks in his New York City apartment in order to capture the true essence of the creatures.  Recalling that the drawings were easily created, the writing became a frustrating challenge as he rewrote the storyline several times before choosing to settle the ducklings in the pristine gardens of historic Boston.  The decision for the book’s location was based on his many walks as a youth through the park while attending art school.  Several years later during a visit, he came across a group of ducks struggling to find their way across a busy intersection which inevitably led to the plot of his masterpiece.  Over the years, McCloskey received thousands upon thousands of letters and photographs of ducks crossing streets all over the world, claiming each and every one of them brought a smile to his face.

Today, Bostonians and tourists can see a replica of this epic family constructed in bronze at the entrance of the Public Gardens.  Designed by Nancy Schon in 1987, the exquisite art piece reminds passersby of the honor and dignity which these fairy tale characters possessed for their city.   Over the decades, the classic has traveled not only across the United States but to other countries, detailing the beautiful cobblestone treasure’s which Boston encompasses.   Several years ago, Barbara Bush gifted a duplicate of the small statues to the Soviet Union as part of a treaty ceremony in the hopes of spreading the magic of the story to others.  "Make Way for Ducklings” not only has taught many about the magnificent layout of a small but majestic city, but has also endeared millions to Boston’s proudest citizens, The Mallards.