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My Everyday Experiences
Benjamin & Honka’s Backyard Adventure follows a young boy who forms a sweet friendship with a woodland duck and learns important lessons about caring for animals. Where did the idea for this story come from?
The real-life inspiration behind the story came about when we moved into a house which was closer to the local creek. We would walk along the trails beside the creek just about every second day and notice there were a lot of ducks, birds, and other wildlife hanging around. I felt like I was in heaven, as I’m a huge nature & animal lover.
Every morning I would sit on the back porch eating my breakfast when one day I had a solo duck fly into the backyard, he was a very friendly duck and he used to follow me around the garden as I watered all my plants after a while I thought to myself that this duck wasn’t making any sound until one day I decided to feed the cute little guy and afterwards he would try to quack to thank me, but instead of a quack he’d let out a Honk, it was the cutest thing I’d ever heard, we soon became friends as he started to honk more and more while following me around so I decide that I would name him Honka. There were some days when I didn’t see him, and I was worried, but another time he brought a littler duck with him, which I named Baby. This is how the second book was created. So most of the story is some of my everyday experiences in the backyard/creek. I hope this has given you some insight into why I created the stories.
Honka has a lot of personality while still feeling like a real animal. How did you strike that balance?
Well, I simply just wrote about what I saw him do, like when he went swimming in the pond, he would dive under to search for food, he’d follow me around the backyard when I would attend to my plants, he would also tap on my back door window, which I found quite funny.
Do you see the story as mainly about friendship, or about helping children notice and respect the natural world around them?
I think a bit of both, as I feel that teaching children to respect and learn about wildlife, and while forming friendships through interaction.
If children remember one thing from Benjamin’s time with Honka, what do you hope it is?
I would hope that it would be Honka and Benjamin playing around in the pond together, but maybe more importantly, it would be about the lesson that Benjamin’s mom teaches him, the importance of feeding ducks the right food.
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Benjamin’s & Honka’s Backyard Adventure (Second Edition) is a heartwarming children’s picture book that celebrates kindness, curiosity, and the joy of connecting with wildlife.
When Benjamin hears an unexpected HONK! by the pond, he meets Honka – a little brown duck with a big personality and no duck friends to play with. What begins as a simple backyard encounter soon turns into a delightful adventure filled with puddle splashing, garden exploring, silly snacks, and moments that show how even the smallest friendships can make a big difference.
Perfect for young readers, this beautifully updated second edition features refined storytelling and refreshed illustrations, making the story even more engaging while preserving the warmth and charm families already love.
Designed to gently introduce children to the wonders of nature, this story encourages empathy, respect for animals, and the importance of caring for the world around us – all through a playful and relatable backyard setting.
Ideal for:
Children aged 4-8
Families who love nature-inspired stories
Young readers who enjoy animal friendships
Bedtime reading and early learning moments
Wether shared at bedtime or read together during the day, Benjamin’s & Honka’s Backyard Adventure (Second Edition) invites children and parents alike to slow down, look outside, and discover the magic that can be found right in their own backyard.
A gentle story.
A memorable duck.
A friendship that stays with you.
Benjamin & Honka’s Backyard Adventure: Second Edition
Benjamin & Honka’s Backyard Adventure is a gentle picture book about a six-year-old boy who discovers a woodland duck near the pond in his backyard and names him Honka because of his funny, husky call. What begins as a simple encounter turns into a sweet friendship, with Benjamin learning how to care for Honka properly, including the important lesson that bread isn’t good for ducks and healthier treats are a kinder choice. The story settles into a warm rhythm of pond play, small discoveries, and the quiet promise that ordinary days can hold real wonder.
I liked the tenderness of this book most. It has the feel of a memory a parent might tell at bedtime, soft around the edges and full of backyard magic. The writing is simple and direct, which suits the age group, and I appreciated that the story doesn’t force a big, dramatic lesson. Instead, it lets care and curiosity do the work. Benjamin’s sadness when Honka disappears for a day felt especially true to childhood, that quick little ache children feel when something they love suddenly isn’t where it should be.
The artwork gives the picture book much of its charm. The pond scenes are especially calming, with muted greens, golden light, soft water, and little details like butterflies, reeds, and garden plants that make the backyard feel alive. I also liked how Honka is drawn with personality rather than exaggerated cuteness. He feels like a real animal, a child might observe closely and come to love. There are a few places where the text could be smoother, and some phrasing feels a bit uneven, but the heart of the book comes through clearly. Its best idea is a lovely one: children can learn compassion not through lectures, but through paying attention.
I found Benjamin & Honka’s Backyard Adventure to be an affectionate children’s book with a sincere love for animals and nature. It has a comforting sweetness that stayed with me after I finished it. I’d recommend it for young children who enjoy animal stories, backyard exploration, and gentle books about kindness, especially for parents looking for a calm read-aloud with a little real-world care lesson tucked inside.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0GRTCML8T
