Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Daredevil Duck is the bravest duck around.or at least, he would like to be. Although he is afraid of everything, from leaves to puddles, he never stops imagining that he will be courageous one day. While he is daydreaming about being brave, a friendly mole approaches him, and after an initial panic attack, Daredevil Duck agrees to help the mole catch his wayward balloon, which is stuck in a tree. Alder uses partial page flaps to good advantage to show the changing scenes, like a branch snapping in half as the protagonist climbs the tree or Daredevil Duck seeing himself in the mirror as cool and fearless, as opposed to how he actually appears, meek and awkward. This page layout may not hold up well to repeated readings but does add an interactive element that kids will enjoy. The illustrations are basic but match the lighthearted mood of the piece. In the end, kids will cheer for Daredevil Duck as he finally finds his courage in this simple story. VERDICT A charming addition.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Daredevil Duck wants to be brave. One day a mole asks him to rescue his yellow balloon that's stuck in a tree. Despite his fears, Daredevil Duck retrieves the balloon and discovers he's braver than he thought. Kids will identify with the hero's worries and be encouraged by his successes. Bright art with page flaps and gatefolds offer readers an entertaining, interactive experience. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
He braves the wild and performs daring stunts...in his dreams. In his superhero cape, extra-strong helmet, and X-ray glasses, Daredevil Duck is the bravest in the world...sort of. Actually, he wants to be brave but is afraid of many thingsthings that are too high, too wet, too dark, too fluttery. Sometimes the other ducks tease him. (He rides a rather squeaky tricycle.) But somehow, simply by trying new things, Daredevil Duck manages to conquer some of his fears. Not that there aren't some setbacks: his ride on the lake in an inner tube terrifies him. When he tremulously climbs a tree to rescue a garrulous mole's yellow balloon, he ends up taking an unexpected flight, succeeding at this bit of derring-do. From then on, he tries to be brave in smaller ways, like turning off the light when he goes to bed and zooming on his tricycle without holding on. Though they tease him a bit, his friends get it and actually give him the title of bravest duck in the world, emblazoned in a double-gatefold spread. The book's ingenious design features several flaps of various shapes and sizes that allow readers to see Daredevil Duck both as he is and as he imagines himself. This device beautifully supports Alder's valuable message about childhood fears. Simple, sweet, and very effective. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
