10 little rubber ducks

Published in 2005, Ten Little Rubber Ducks was written and illustrated by Eric Carle, a seminal figure in children's literature known for his distinct collage-based art style. The story was inspired by a real-life 1992 maritime incident in which a cargo ship lost a container overboard, spilling thousands of plastic bath toys into the Pacific Ocean. Carle utilized this unusual event to create a counting book that serves as a gentle educational tool, following the journey of ten ducks as they are swept in different directions across the seas.

The book is characterized by Carle’s signature vibrant, hand-painted tissue paper collages, which lend a textured, tactile quality to the illustrations. This work captures the characteristic warmth and simplicity that defined Carle’s career, focusing on the concepts of direction, counting, and the wonders of the natural world. Upon its release, it was well-received by critics and educators for its ability to transform a whimsical news story into an engaging narrative for early readers, cementing its place in the extensive library of Carle’s widely beloved picture books.