The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling

by Timothy Basil Ering, Timothy Basil Ering (Illustrator)

Overview

Expect something unexpected when a duckling lost at sea adopts a musical friend in a whimsical, heart-lifting story from Timothy Basil Ering.

Captain Alfred is sailing home with new ducks for his farm when his little boat is caught in an unexpected and mighty storm. Everything aboard the ship is flung to the far reaches of the sea, including the very special and beautiful duck egg he had nestled safely inside his fiddle case. But perhaps all is not lost: the little duckling stumbles out of his shell and discovers Captain Alfred’s fiddle, floating not too far away in the waves. And when the duckling embraces the instrument with all his heart, what happens next is pure magic. Through an enchanting read-aloud text and beautiful artwork, award-winning author-illustrator Timothy Basil Ering shares a thrilling and fantastical story of a farmer, a gentle old lady, a dancing dog, and one brave, tiny duckling that will warm the heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763664329
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	01/10/2017
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	11.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Timothy Basil Ering is the illustrator of the Newbery Medal winner The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo as well as Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliott and Snook Alone by Marilyn Nelson. He is also the acclaimed author-illustrator of The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone, Necks Out for Adventure!, and The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger. Timothy Basil Ering lives in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

10/31/2016
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.)

Publishers Weekly

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.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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.
—Booklist (starred review)

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.
—Publishers Weekly

Ering’s gorgeous paintings highlight the magic contained in an instrument beautifully played and the wonder of a safe return home. A book full of emotion that addresses the needs of all human hearts. A first purchase.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

The illustrations are very dramatic; one foggy page is completely devoid of all but clouds. This is a long picture book, but overall a nice addition to a picture book collection.
—School Library Connection

Ering's illustrations are painterly and the story is told in sweeping brushstrokes that convey the essence of music.
—Clarion-Ledger

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2017
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

School Library Journal

★ 2016-10-19
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 case—a 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)

Kirkus Reviews