Henry Winkler's 40th Book Has an Important Message for Kids — and Adults, Too (Exclusive) Lizz SchumerSeptember 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM 0 Courtesy of Abrams;Amulet Books Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver and Dan Santat and 'Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond' Henry Winkler's new kids book marks his 40...
- - Henry Winkler's 40th Book Has an Important Message for Kids — and Adults, Too (Exclusive)
Lizz SchumerSeptember 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM
0
Courtesy of Abrams;Amulet Books
Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver and Dan Santat and 'Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond' -
Henry Winkler's new kids book marks his 40th publication for young readers
Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond releases Sept. 30 and follows a feisty, resourceful duck who also cares about the environment
The Happy Days actor shares why he might have worked with kids if he wasn't an actor
Henry Winkler didn't fall in love with reading until he was an adult himself — and he doesn't want that for today's kids.
The Happy Days actor and author, who was diagnosed with dyslexia in his 30s, first called on the expertise of children's book author Lin Oliver when he wanted to write a kids book about learning disorder. The two dreamed up Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever, which published the first installment in 2004 and is now a 17-book series.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Winkler, 79, was working on a puzzle with his wife, Stacey Weitzman, when a new idea struck.
"Well, Stacey is doing the puzzle, and I walk in, I pick up a piece and I put it in and walk out," Winkler tells PEOPLE. "And Lin called and said, 'Hey, remember that Hank Zipzer had to take a book out of the library and it was called Detective Duck? Wouldn't that be a great character? And as a matter of fact, we were doing a jigsaw puzzle of a beautiful picture of a beautiful pond in New Hampshire.' I said, 'I know where she lives!' And I took a picture of the puzzle, sent it to Lin. Detective Duck was born as a book."
The third installment arrives Sept. 30, called Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond, following "this feisty, resourceful, fabulous, funny duck. And she's an environmentalist," as Winkler puts it. "It is about friendship, friendly competition, meeting new friends, jealousy, and the dangers of plastic. In five and a half chapters. Oh my god, and then wrapped in a sense of humor!"
Winkler and Oliver have collaborated on all 40 books so far, and their partnership works so well because they both have a TV background, the actor explains. "I talk, and she writes. Then she's got an idea, she writes, I wait. And she reads it back to me, and then we argue over every word," Winkler says of their process. "Now, once it is done, it goes to Dan. We say nothing. And out comes these glorious, enticing, joy-filled illustrations of the duck and her pond squad."
It may seem only natural that family man Winkler, who's been happily married to Weitzman, 77, since 1978, would pen books for kids. He's dad to Max and Zoe Winkler, a stepfather to Jed Weitzman and a grandpa of seven. And while he does read his books to his grandkids, he likes to let them — and their inherent curiosity about the world around them — take the lead.
"I've always thought, if I was not an actor, I would work with children. Make sure that their sense of self was straight and strong," he says. "The greatest thing is when children say to us, 'how did you know me so well? And see themselves in the characters.'"
courtesy of Abrams
From Left: Lin Oliver, Henry Winkler and Dan Santat
He looks at reading for kids, especially the Detective Duck books, as "fun for adults, as well as the child. So it is a great read-along. And you can, no matter what your age is, you can enjoy yourself," he adds. "It is a nourishment for the entire being."
"I came to reading late. I'm sad that I did. I wanted to read so badly, I couldn't read," he adds. "It took me a long time to get the courage to pick up a novel. But then I felt liberated. So, what you're giving your child is not only all of this other stuff, you're giving them liberation."
Read on for a sneak preview from Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond.
Amulet Books
'Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond' by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, illustrated by Dan Santat
One sunny morning, Willow Feathers McBeaver was hanging out with her best friend, Sal the salamander, on the banks of Dogwood Pond. Sal was reading to her from a soggy scrap of a Shark Man comic book he had found on the shore. "'Shark-Man flashed his jagged teeth at the evil undersea witch and—'"
His reading was interrupted by a loud squawking from a blue jay who zoomed in from the direction of Emerald Pond.
"If you don't mind," Sal called to the blue jay, overhead, "could you please pipe down? We are trying to read here."
"Yes, and we're at a really exciting part," Willow agreed.
"I'm afraid piping down is out of the question," the blue jay screeched. "I have been sent to deliver an invitation to all the residents of Dogwood Pond."
Amulet Books, illustrated by Dan Santat
An illustration from Detective Duck
"An invitation!" said Willow. "What fun! Everyone has to hear this."
She let out a loud honk to call her father and the rest of her pond pals.
Beaver McBeaver, Willow's father, who had raised her since she was a lost duck egg that had floated into his dam, rose to the surface of the pond. He slapped his flat tail on the water. That was his way of calling the Pond Squad together for a group meeting.
Harry the catfish popped to the surface first, his fishy breath curling the grass along the bank. Flitter the dragonfly zoomed in from the dandelion patch where she was sunbathing with her pals. Aaron the heron was only one wing away from where he had been poking for worms in the mud. Franny the frog swam in from her lily pad restaurant where she and her son, Tad, were frying up a batch of flies.
Amulet Books, illustrated by Dan Santat
Detective Duck illustration
As usual, Snout the weasel was sneaking around, looking for an opportunity to snatch everyone's food.
"You have our attention," Willow said to the blue jay. "Go ahead."
"You are all cordially invited to attend the Emerald Pond Spring Games," he declared. "The event begins at two o'clock today. There will be games, food, contests, and jolly times for all. And maybe even a victory crown for one lucky creature."
"Wow, Spring Games," Willow quacked. "What a great idea!"
"I wish I had thought of it," grumbled Harry. "All I ever do is pick up and spit out rocks at the bottom of the pond."
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"Maxwell has been working on the idea for two weeks," the blue jay chirped proudly.
"Maxwell?" Willow said, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Is he the handsome mallard that landed on your pond over the winter?"
The blue jay nodded. "He's the one. He's not only handsome, with his shiny green head, but a great athlete. Maxwell can paddle across the pond in twenty seconds flat."
"Big deal," said Sal. "You should see how fast I can scurry across rocks. And by the way, who needs a shiny green head when you have yellow belly spots?"
Amulet Books, illustrated by Dan Santat
A Detective Duck illustration
"Sounds to me like someone's jealous," Aaron said.
"Sounds to me like a fun afternoon," Flitter said. "Are you planning on going, Sal?"
"Oh, you bet I am," Sal answered. "That Maxwell isn't the only great athlete in these parts." "We're all going to go," Willow said.
"Except me." Harry sighed. "I'm not much on walking, with my fins and all."
"I'll leave you a nice bowl of stir-fried mosquitoes," Franny offered.
"Sounds delish," Harry said.
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From behind a fern, Snout's eyes lit up. He had no interest in fun and games, but he was always interested in stealing food.
"So can I tell my pond mates that you accept the invitation?" the blue jay squawked.
"Tell Max we'll be there with bells on," Willow said happily.
"Oh, so now it's Max, is it?" grumbled Sal. "I thought his name was Maxwell."
Willow didn't notice that the invitation had seemed to put Sal in a bad mood. She was too busy looking through her Stuff Box for her pretty red ribbon to wear in a fancy ponytail on top of her head.
A new friend. Lots of games. Delicious food. An emerald-green pond. And maybe even a victory crown. It sounded like a great day ahead.
Excerpt from Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver and illustrated by Dan Santat. Text copyright © 2025. Reprinted by permission of Abrams
Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond is available now, wherever books are sold.
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