''Sitting Ducks'' is a

lithograph Lithography () is a planographic method of printing originally based on the miscibility, immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796 by ...

created by the Canadian poster artist Michael Bedard in 1977. It depicts a literal interpretation of the

idiom An idiom is a phrase or expression that largely or exclusively carries a Literal and figurative language, figurative or non-literal meaning (linguistic), meaning, rather than making any literal sense. Categorized as formulaic speech, formulaic ...

"sitting duck". Three ducks are relaxing in the sun on white chairs by the poolside, one looks up and notices two

bullet A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a component of firearm ammunition that is shot from a gun barrel. They are made of a variety of materials, such as copper, lead, steel, polymer, rubber and even wax; and are made in various shapes and constru ...

holes in the wall. Bedard then went on to create an entire series of "Sitting Ducks" related lithographs, which culminated in a

children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...

, a animation series and a video game.

Book

Bedard's 1998 picture book ''Sitting Ducks'' () has the plot that alligators hatch ducks in a "duck factory", then send them to Ducktown, where the ducks live an idyllic life, encouraged by billboards to fatten up. The alligators presumably eat the ducks once they are fat. One duck is befriended by an alligator, who lets him know that if only the Ducktown residents would not get fat, they could fly away and avoid being eaten. The book won the 1998 California Book Award in the 10 & under category.

Cartoon

In 2001 ''Sitting Ducks'' was produced by

Universal Television Universal Television LLC (abbreviated as UTV) is an American television production company that is a division of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming#Universal Studio Group, Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which, in turn, is ...

. It ran for two seasons on

Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on ...

and during that time spawned merchandise such as toys, clothing, books, as well as a video game. The show takes place in a town called Ducktown and focuses on a

duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family (biology), family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and goose, geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfam ...

named Bill, and his best friend Aldo, a huge

alligator An alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus ''Alligator'' of the Family (biology), family Alligatoridae in the Order (biology), order Crocodilia. The two Extant taxon, extant species are the American alligator (''A. mis ...

from the neighboring town of Swampwood. Seeing as how ducks are favorite snacks of the alligators there, Bill and Aldo's friendship is rather unusual. The pair usually end up in various situations and adventures. The show lasted 2 seasons, airing 26 episodes.

References

External links

Bedard's Personal Studio Website
Lithographs Ducks in art {{Printmaking-stub