Choose or write a story about ducklings. One of the most popular stories about ducklings used for education purposes is Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling." If you are going to write your own story, make sure it covers the interactive activities you are planning. For example, ducks swim, fly, nest and have ducklings. Ducks can get shot by hunters. To include these moments, your story would probably be about a duck's journey and the things that happen along the way.
Identify key moments in your story, or the story you have chosen, and design interactive activities that explore the different learning skills you wish to bring out of the child or children who are going to read it. Look for artistic exercises and literary exercises for learning purposes, and games that make the whole process fun. Also, have an end aim, such as a performance of a class play in front of parents.
Flesh out each complete activity for particular moments in your story. When a male duck meets a female duck, they are colored differently, so make a note to create card duck templates for each that the children can cut out and color. When ducks jump into the water, get the children to make splashing and quacking noises, so they associate the noises with these particular verbs. The same applies for the noise of a hunter's gun.
Ducks can fly and visit many different places. Ducks will fly through many different weather conditions. Ducks also will meet other animals. At each point in your story design an activity that the children can do. For example, create flash cards that show sun, wind, rain and snow. Have the children create finger puppets or face masks of other animals.
Include follow-up assignments at the end of your book. This will help children remember the story. Ask them, for example, to search for certain words or have a competition to count the number of ducks in your story. Finally, if you are truly ambitious, it will be time to prepare that play. It's hard work, but definitely worth it for you, the children and the parents involved.