Be Strong

The Woman Who Sculpted Make Way for Ducklings

"...picture-book readers...will enjoy this introduction to the sculptor best known for her bronze renditions of the mallards in Make Way For Ducklings (that likewise waddle through Boston's Public Garden). Booklist
On a rainy day in October, 1987-perfect weather for a duck-a bronze sculpture of a duck family was installed in Boston's Public Garden. Based on Robert McCloskey's Caldecott award-winning book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, sculptor Nancy Schön created a kid-friendly sculpture. She wanted the duck family to be touchable and huggable, a sculpture that kids could climb around on.

The incredible journey from a book to a sculpture adds a new chapter in an inspiring new biography of Jewish-American sculptor Nancy Schön, BE STRONG. Large outdoor sculptures were a new venture for Nancy and the scale made the project incredibly difficult. The mother duck's head fell off. One duckling was the wrong size. She had to research how it looked inside of a duck's beak. Through the hard days of trying to create a new type of sculpture, Nancy clung to two words: Be Strong.

With an inspiring story of perseverance and dazzling sculptural illustrations, author Darcy Pattison's and illustrator Rich Davis's picture book, BE STRONG: The Rise of Beloved Public Art Sculptor Nancy Schön is an inspirational story for kids attempting anything difficult-art, building, creating, athletics, or life.

This authorized biography includes rich backmatter: historical photos and a biography of Nancy Schön. The McCloskey ducklings launched her career, but it's time to bring her whole career into the spotlight. This picture book biography brings Nancy's story-and encouragement-to children. It distills a lifetime of creative art into two inspiring words: Be Strong.