Mr. Duck's Wonderful Discovery

About the Book

Mr. Duck’s Wonderful Discovery was conceived while the authors were teaching in the Miami School District. Tracey Lindroth, an elementary music teacher, asked Richard Standage, an art teacher, if he would illustrate a child’s story idea she had about music. After Richard and Tracey had prepared the book, they were disappointed, being unsuccessful in the search to find a company who would publish it, and so the book lay idle many years. However, not wanting the illustrations to go to waste long after his partner had moved away, Richard rewrote the book, turning the narrative into rhymes. Richard had a growing number of grandchildren whom he thought would enjoy his work. So, he published a small number of books through his brother-in-law’s printing business. Richard believed the books would be valued not only by children, but also by parents and grandparents who love reading to their young ones. Richard had deliberately used repetitive words and short rhyming phrases to help young learners recognize words and word patterns. The book was kept amusing by creating Mr. Duck and Ms. Kow as modern cartoon characters so children could identify easily with the story. The characters were also intended to be positive role models for boys and girls who will need to form wholesome relationships in their future, as well as teach some elements art and music.

About the Author

The illustrator and producer of Mr. Duck grew up in Mesa Arizona, the second son of a family of two boys and three younger sisters. His parents were school teachers in Mesa and Phoenix. Richard’s father was also an Army Reservist after WWII and farmed his mother’s land in his spare time. Richard attended the Mesa Public Schools and worked as a paper boy for the Mesa Tribune when about 12 years old. Later, he worked as seasonal help in various retail stores, including the Wright brothers’ grocery chain. Richard also worked for himself doing lawn and home maintenance. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He also filled a mission to Eastern Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Afterwards, he attended Mesa Community College, where he met and married Marsha Andersen. Richard finished college at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree for Art in the Secondary Schools, adding an Elementary School Endorsement later. In 1970 Richard’s first teaching job was in the mining town of Miami, Arizona where he taught High School Art classes. While there, he also taught night art classes for Gila Pueblo College. Richard and Marsha were blessed with five sons. Richard earned a Masters Degree from Northern Arizona University. After seven years teaching high school art, he created a Jr. High Art program in the Miami School District, where he spent the next 21 years. Richard participated in the design of the Jr. High’s new school building and sponsored their yearbook for nine years. He was also active in many other church and community affairs, freely giving service where his talent and experience was useful. During a time when copper prices hit record lows, the schools had to reduce their workforce. The Art program Richard developed at the middle school was eliminated, along with other curriculum and employees. Richard was hired to teach art for the first through fourth grades in the neighboring Globe School District the following year. Working with little children those last five years of his teaching career was the most rewarding of all his teaching experiences. Richard retired in 2003 to pursue other fields of artistic interest and service.