Maria Daddino, author of “Maria’s Duck Tales: Wildlife
Stories From My Garden,” shares a collection of short stories with readers. Her
tales will bring tears, smiles, happiness and occasionally sadness. Steve
Ensign provided the fanciful illustrations for this book. Maria’s garden is a
special place filled with delicious vegetables, delightful smelling herbs and
flowers with bright colors. Butterflies drink from the blooms, birds sings in
the trees and I’m sure at night she hears the song of the crickets. In Maria’s
garden you will find rabbits, ducks, turkeys, deer and numerous other critters.
Like Maria I have a wildlife garden behind my home. I love watching the deer
late in the evenings, the turkeys early in the morning, and the squirrels as
they romp and play all day long.
In “Summer’s Gift” she recounts the memory of a pair of
ospreys building their home across the creek from her home. The young family
built their nest in a crane belonging to the dredging company. She was
fascinated watching the majestic male gather dead branches to increase the size
of the nest and catch a fish to share with his mate. “A Special Place In My
Heart” is the story of raising two orphaned baby squirrels. The little guys outgrew one box after another before she placed a special
nest outside for them. Even after release “Fatso” stayed close by for the free
peanuts for almost three years.
I have so enjoyed this small book. My favorite
story concerned the diva duck, Patches. It reminded me of our pet duck, Howard.
Ms. Daddino has a talent for painting a picture with words. I could see Grace,
Robert, Jack and all of the other delightful critters in her back yard. Her
story telling talents are unsurpassed. I hope she will continue to share her stories from her backyard.
Reviewed by Anne B. for Readers Favorite
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