Public Art Makes Way for Mrs. Mallard and Her Ducklings

Part 1 – Do you know how these two books are related?

Make Way For Ducklings won the Caldecott Medal back in 1941. It’s the story of Mrs. Mallard’s search for a home for her eight little ducklings. Where does she find it? At the Boston Public Gardens.
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Be Strong is a brand-new book. I thought it came out in December 2023, but I was wrong. I forgot I got it early because I was part of the author's crowdfunding project. But don't worry! It's out now, since March 5. 

Be Strong is the story of Nancy Schön, of how she created statues of Mrs. Mallard and all her little ducklings. Then she did what the book did – she took them home to the Boston Public Gardens

                                      If you’d like to check out my book review for Be Strong, here’s the link:
http://www.rindabeach.com/my-reads/be-strong-the-rise-of-beloved-public-art-sculptor-nancy-scho

If you can’t make it to Boston, take a look at this photo. Mrs. Mallard is leading her ducklings across the garden. And the best part about public art, you can interact with it. Take a picture with a duckling, or give each one a hug. It doesn’t matter. This is public art, so you’re allowed 😊
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Part 2 – Have you ever seen public art in person, or taken a photo beside it?
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I have! Do you recognize the first statue? It’s public art from the Bremen Town Musicians, and you’ll find the statue in Bremen, Germany. When I was there in 2008, I had my picture taken beside it. So did everyone around me.

The second statue is at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Do you recognize this piece of public art? It’s a young Neil Armstrong holding his favorite thing – an airplane. He’s a hero in Wapak and beyond. Why? He was the first man to set foot on the moon. I haven’t had my photo taken with him yet, but I’ve seen lots of people take advantage of this photo op.
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​I found these three pieces of public art on Pixabay. My grandkids would love the first and last statue. They look like the ones they play with at their favorite zoo. Then it’s time for a photo. They LOVE public art!

I didn’t recognize the pair in the middle. I went back to Pixabay to find their names, Dogman and Rabbitgirl. Who knew? Google did! I looked them up, and they’re actually famous pieces of public art scupted by Gillie and Marc. Who knew? They’re stories for modern times, and you can find them in places like New York City or London. If you’d like to look for yourself, or buy a piece of art, here’s the link for Gillie and Marc: I Am (Rabbit) Woman – Gillie and Marc®
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                                 Part 3 –  Where in the world can you find Nancy Schön’s public art?
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Since 1987 Nancy has created 26 statues. You’ll find 18 of them in Massachusetts. Six are in other states in the continental US, and two are outside the country.

Can you find the six states on the map where you’ll find Nancy’s statues? Look for: Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, Arkansas, Maine, and Oklahoma. If you live in Massachusetts or in any of the other six states, click below on Nancy’s link, and you can look up the name of the statue, city, and the state it’s in. If you go for a visit, I hope you make time for a photo op.
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                                                                              Link: Nancy Schön - Wikipedia

And the two that are outside the United States, they’re in Israel and Russia. Can you find them on this map?

If you happen to find yourself in Moscow, Russia or Tel Aviv, Israel, I hope you have time for a photo op too. You’ll find the name of both statues on the link above. 
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Sources:

Make Way for Ducklings (sculpture) - Wikipedia
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Nancy Schön - Wikipedia
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