Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Captain Alfred's boat is packed with new ducks for his farm, his faithful dog, a beautiful egg for his wife, which is tucked carefully in his fiddle case, and plenty of high spirits. It isn't long, however, before this happy little vessel meets with a powerful storm that tips it bow over stern and scatters its passengers into the sea. Adrift in the fiddle case sits a newly hatched duckling, Alfred, who fishes the captain's fiddle from the water and gives it a hug, causing the instrument to make the most beautiful sound. He swims to a foggy bit of land where he wards off his fear by playing a comforting tune on the fiddle. Music fills the air like colorful confetti, first drawing the captain's lost dog to Alfred, and then the captain's wife, who has been anxiously awaiting her husband's return. The joyful notes finally make their way to the stranded captain, guiding him back home. Best known for illustrating Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux (2003), Ering has created an endearing picture book sure to enthrall young readers. Scratchy acrylic paint combines with ink, charcoal, and graphite to form atmospheric scenes notably the roiling sea and ghostly fog that capture the story's drama and warmth. Youngsters will be smitten with Ering's diminutive hero and cheer him on to the final page.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ering's story sails along with Captain Alfred, who's returning home with a load of ducks, his violin, and a duck egg for his wife tucked in his violin case. A storm swamps the boat, and the fog parts to reveal the just-hatched duckling-which Captain Alfred has preemptively named Alfred Fiddleduckling-drifting alone in the sea with the captain's violin: "Alfred loved the object! And, by the sound of its beautiful music, the object loved Alfred, too." Ering (The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger) teeters between tension and adventure as duckling and violin wash up in a marsh, and a lumpy form approaches them. Miraculously, it's Captain Alfred's bulldog; he has recognized the sound of his master's fiddle. Ering doesn't fully reunite the family before the book ends, but it's clear that all will be well. Bold strokes and swaths of bright color telegraph cheer, and Alfred is an intrepid fellow, full of joy and curiosity. The violin is a lovely sidekick-no practicing, no lessons, just generously shared music-and the stream of happy coincidences makes this a joyful yarn. Ages 2-5. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Captain Alfred is delighted to bring home a duck egg to his wife. He places it in his fiddle case and whimsically names the soon-to-be-hatched youngster Alfred Fiddleduckling. When a nasty storm hits and destroys the boat, sending everyone off in different directions, it appears that all is lost. Captain Alfred's wife waits anxiously at home for her husband's return. Little Alfred hatches, and he finds himself alone in the fiddle case. In searching for someone or something to hang on to, he discovers the fiddle floating nearby. Alfred revels in this unusual object and goes to work playing it with his wing. Soon, he realizes that the music he creates brings comfort to others besides himself and may even provide a way home for some. Ering's gorgeous paintings highlight the magic contained in an instrument beautifully played and the wonder of a safe return home. VERDICT A book full of emotion that addresses the needs of all human hearts. A first purchase for most picture book collections.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT © Copyright 2017. 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 Kirkus Book Review
In this tender story, a newborn duckling experiences music as sweet solace and meaningful communication while searching for love. Moments before a "sudden and mighty gale whipped the seas into a raging fury," a beaming Capt. Alfred had bestowed a name on the fragile egg nestled in his violin casea present for his wife. The jovial bald white man had fiddled for his crew (ducks and dog), leading them in a merry, anticipatory dance. As stirring language and sweeping brush strokes conjure a fearsome tempest, a capsized boat, and a silent fog, everything disappears. Eventually Alfred Fiddleduckling emerges, floating along in an open violin case, reaching out to caress a piece of flotsam: the fiddle; he continues to interact with it after reaching land, captivated by its voice. The sounds from the instrument, rendered in acrylics as swirls of brilliant, feathery colors, waft through the dense atmosphere, finding first the dog and then the captain's anxious wife (also white). Ering replaces words with visual clues to suggest homecoming, thereby avoiding a too-tidy conclusion. The vibrant yellow of the protagonist merges with the home's brilliant illumination in the final scene. Layered with energetic paint strokes, delicate ink drawings, and warm touches of charcoal and graphite, the compositions are full of high drama, nuanced emotion, and humor. Exuding a zest for living and loving, this nautical narrative is an ode to joy. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
