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jmshirtz's review against another edition
4.0
Music brings the characters together after a storm and a wrecked boat. The duck falling in love with a violin was pretty adorable. :)
tashrow's review
5.0
Captain Alfred is heading home with his boat full of ducks for his farm and one special duck egg that’s about to hatch as a present for his wife. But his boat is hit by a storm and everything including the egg is thrown overboard. Luckily, the egg survives the storm, kept afloat in the Captain’s fiddle case. When the duckling hatches from the egg, he is all alone until he spots something else floating in the sea. It’s the Captain’s fiddle and when the duckling hugs it closely it produces a beautiful sound. But how can one little duckling and one fiddle survive the open sea? It will take the magic of music.
Ering is the illustrator of The Tale of Despereaux and has created other picture books of his own. This picture book has a gorgeous tone and pace, each moment shining and special as the story unfolds. Ering allows the story space to speak, giving time to the duckling finding the fiddle, a moment to pause when the duckling reaches land, and many other such moments too. Each is beautifully told with a voice that reads aloud beautifully. It’s a tale that children will enjoy, an adventure of wonder and music.
The illustrations are a wonderful mix of cartoon and lush realistic settings. The duckling has a personality all his own, glowing yellow on the page. Other moments like the storm approaching are filled with nature in all of its beauty and fury. The pages turn and one is never sure if it will reveal a sweep of nature or a new comical moment. The entire book works as a whole, the surprise of page turns, the comic elements and the natural details.
A picture book about music and friendship that is a great pick for a read aloud. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ering is the illustrator of The Tale of Despereaux and has created other picture books of his own. This picture book has a gorgeous tone and pace, each moment shining and special as the story unfolds. Ering allows the story space to speak, giving time to the duckling finding the fiddle, a moment to pause when the duckling reaches land, and many other such moments too. Each is beautifully told with a voice that reads aloud beautifully. It’s a tale that children will enjoy, an adventure of wonder and music.
The illustrations are a wonderful mix of cartoon and lush realistic settings. The duckling has a personality all his own, glowing yellow on the page. Other moments like the storm approaching are filled with nature in all of its beauty and fury. The pages turn and one is never sure if it will reveal a sweep of nature or a new comical moment. The entire book works as a whole, the surprise of page turns, the comic elements and the natural details.
A picture book about music and friendship that is a great pick for a read aloud. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
circleofreadersdruid's review
5.0
Alfred Fiddleduckling is one of the warmest, sweetest, most uplifting picture books I've read in a while. I loved the way the illustrations caught the movement and energy of the story and I adored Alfred Fiddleduckling. This will make a perfect read aloud.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Captain Alfred was on his way home in his little boat after accruing some new ducks for his farm and one precious egg sat snugly in his fiddle case; a gift for his wife. Of course, a duckling that was promised to be born in a fiddle case deserves a worthy name and so 'Alfred Fiddleducklin'' was bestowed upon him.
But when a storm emerges and capsizes the boat, the little duckling finds itself born into a world shrouded in a fog 'alone and drifting' with 'no one to hug' him. Drifting along the water's current, Alfred eventually sees espies something and dashing to it finds it to be an object, which when stroked, makes the most melodious sound for it is the very violin that was once nestled in Alfred's birthplace. From here the little duckling's hopes and joys are raised and, as he reaches land, he finds that his gift and love of music brings back his lost companions.
This was such a quirky, utterly delightful picturebook with genuine ups and downs. The image of Alfred looking out to the reader when he is born, all alone was heartbreaking but then as his family are slowly returned to him you find yourself smiling with the same joy he has. This is the first story I have read by award-winning Ering and it won't be the last; he has a unique illustrative approach - an almost messily sketchy pallet of ink, charcoal and paints to bring images overflowing with energy and life. I adored this little story.
But when a storm emerges and capsizes the boat, the little duckling finds itself born into a world shrouded in a fog 'alone and drifting' with 'no one to hug' him. Drifting along the water's current, Alfred eventually sees espies something and dashing to it finds it to be an object, which when stroked, makes the most melodious sound for it is the very violin that was once nestled in Alfred's birthplace. From here the little duckling's hopes and joys are raised and, as he reaches land, he finds that his gift and love of music brings back his lost companions.
This was such a quirky, utterly delightful picturebook with genuine ups and downs. The image of Alfred looking out to the reader when he is born, all alone was heartbreaking but then as his family are slowly returned to him you find yourself smiling with the same joy he has. This is the first story I have read by award-winning Ering and it won't be the last; he has a unique illustrative approach - an almost messily sketchy pallet of ink, charcoal and paints to bring images overflowing with energy and life. I adored this little story.
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