He may be gone, but his ducks will forever follow him. Robert McCloskey, author and illustrator of many popular children's books died on July 1, 2003 at the age of 88.
Bostonians have always had a fond affection for their fine-feathered friend, McCloskey. The city was the setting for his 1941 book "Make Way for Ducklings." The story revolved around a mother duck that leads her eight ducklings through Boston's bustling streets. McCloskey had come to Boston in 1932 to study art when he watched some ducklings waddling through traffic. The event would inspire the book and the book would inspire a Boston dedication to its author. Bronze sculptures of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings was erected at the Public Gardens. It is a popular stop with tourists located not far from the Freedom Trail. Each May, Boston holds an annual Ducklings Day Parade. Parents and their children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from the McCloskey book. The parade procession waddles its way through Beacon Hill before nesting by the bird statues in the Public Gardens.
Duckling Statues |
