Hello, Huck. Hello, Chuck. Hello, Bruce.

I would love to introduce you to the main characters in my debut picture book, Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At the Shore. While Huck, Chuck, and Bruce have many similarities, the BFFs (Best Feathered Friends) are unique creatures - at least in my imagination.

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Hello, Huck.

Meet Huckleberry. Huck, for short. He’s the baby of the bunch.

Huck is a Pekin duck. Technically, since he is still a youngster, he’s called a duckling. But have no fear, there’s no ugly duckling in this story. Huck is handsome.

When the little fellow is full-grown, his feathers will be snow white. And somewhere along the way, he’ll learn to tuck his legs and webbed feet when he flies. But neither of these will happen during this beach outing.

More often than not, Huck is satisfied to bring up the rear and to follow the lead of the larger birds.

But every now and again, his desire to be a free spirit surfaces. And I silently scream, “You go, Huck.”

My favorite scene with Huck is when he turns a sand pail over and wears it as a beach hat. Silly duck.

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Hello, Chuck.

His given name is Charles. But he prefers to be called Chuck. His gorgeous green head indicates that he is unmistakably a Mallard duck. Sandwiched between a small duckling and a large goose, Chuck finds himself in the role of the middleman.

Being a middle child myself, I relate well to Chuck’s dilemma. He never enjoys the perks of being the boss or the baby. (I feel your pain, Chuck.)

I’m fond of the illustrations on the final pages. It’s bedtime for the birds. And in the dim moonlight, I am 100% certain that Chuck takes one final look at Huck to make sure that the duckling is settled in for the night. And then, Chuck closes his eyes and falls asleep.

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Hello, Bruce.

No cutesy nickname for this guy. He’s Bruce - a sleek, stately Canadian goose.

Not only is he the largest waterfowl and the loudest honker in the flock, but it is obvious that he is the self-appointed leader and protector of said group.

I am most envious of Bruce. What must it be like to be the big bird on the proverbial block - to honk an order and everyone flaps into formation?

In the sunset scene, I can almost hear this confident commander announce, “It’s time to go. Soon, it will be dark. I know the way back to our pond. Follow me. Honk! Honk!”

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As you read Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At the Shore, I hope you enjoy getting to know this trio of fine feathered friends. And please, let me know what the children in your life have to say about Huck, Chuck, and Bruce.

Night-night, Huck. Night-night, Chuck. Night-night, Bruce.
Sweet dreams.