The duck in the gun picture book is a wonderful story of anti-war message for every nation which is preparing war at its neighboring country. The Duck In The Gun picture book was authored by Joy Cowley and the book was published in 1969.

Joy Cowley was a language specialist in New Zealand. Her famous work The Mouse Bride was made in to a cartoon series for New Zealand television. She has written more than 500 books for the beginners. Other prominent books of the author which won many international awards are The Cheese Trap, Red Eyed Tree Frog. She received a Commemoration Medal in 1990.

The story begins with a war to be begun and the gun man finds a nest of a duck is there in the only cannon. So the gun man asks the major to provide a new cannon for the battle as the duck is hatching. Major went to the rival prime minister of the town to borrow a cannon. The prime minister said he has only one and cannot give him. So they decide to hold off the war till the eggs are hatched. The news of the postponement for the war gives some relief to the soldiers. The major is run out of money as his soldiers are eating and no work is done. He thinks to borrow some money from the prime minister for the daily expenses of his soldiers. In order to clear his debt he allowed his men to work in the town. Every one work very hard, they paint the streets and repairs the roads. The town has become very beautiful. Finally the eggs are hatched and the time has come up to begin the war. But none of the men are happy. They will spoil the town and buildings will be collapsed. They don’t want to happen, so the war ended, everyone is happy.

This book is excellent for a child who loves to read animals and the pictures of the characters are outstanding. The literature is simple and the child can thoroughly enjoy the novel by seeing the images. The story is so good to read for 5 – 8 age groups of children.