Ducktor Morty Sosland / Esther Deblinger
In this timeless, inspirational tale, readers – human and duck – learn that they can do what they put their minds to! The author, “Ducktor” Morty Sosland, M.D., is a child psychiatrist who strives to use the Can Do philosophy in whatever he does. The book, which was a family project, was originally illustrated by Ducktor Morty’s 6 and 8-year-old daughters, Sarah and Arielle, with a little help from his wife, Esther Deblinger, Ph.D., an internationally known child psychologist, who wrote the parent and teacher guidelines for the book. Years later, with amazing Can Do dedication, Arielle Sosland adapted the book and created, produced and directed Can Do Duck: The Musical to rave reviews, including one in The New York Times! And now this new edition has beautiful color illustrations created by the author’s other Can Do daughter, Sarah Sosland. In this new edition, the author does not refer to Can Do as a male or female duck so it’s easier for boys and girls to relate to Can Do and become Can Do Ducks themselves. Readers have compared The Can Do Duck to The Little Engine That Could and to books written by Dr. Seuss! But the truth is that The Can Do Duck stands on its own just as its main character, Can Do, learns to walk, swim and fly on its own! It is a story of a duck that learns to overcome its fears and learns a process by which to achieve new goals. The story is meant to entertain and teach at the same time. The story stresses the importance of positive self-talk and Can Do learns to say, "I say, I can. I make a plan. I get right to it. And then I do it!" And Mama Duck teaches by example and also conveys the importance of unconditional love, expressing perhaps the most important message children need to hear and feel, “I love you for being you. Not because of what you do.” The Can Do Duck is an award winning book, earning a Gold Medal from Mom's Choice Awards and it was a Finalist in the American Book Fest Best Book Awards. It also received an excellent Kirkus Review. This book has been read by thousands of readers all over the world and has inspired teachers and principals, entire schools, athletic teams, cheerleaders, a literacy program, a Miss Tennessee pageant contestant, reading clubs, business people, children, college graduates, and many more. One high school graduate who read The Can Do Duck as a child wrote the Can Do Duck slogan on her graduation cap and she is now in medical school. And now this story will inspire you as it has inspired so many others. Always remember that you can do it like Can Do!
