Tufty

January 15, 2016
The miracle of bird migration is told by seasoned British author/illustrator Foreman in this warm, sympathetic story of a young duck who loses his family but gains a mate. Tufty and his tufted siblings grow up on a lake beside a recognizable Buckingham Palace, with the British royal family (somewhat ducklike in appearance) in residence. Humorously dubbed the "Royal Duck and Duckess," the royals feed and care for the ducks, providing entertainment with their grand parties in the royal ballroom, avidly watched through the window by the ducks. On the flight south, Tufty becomes separated from his flock and is taken in by a homeless white man, who cares for him and feeds him throughout the winter until he is ready to rejoin the duck family on their return to the royal lake. In his signature, delicate pencil-and-watercolor style, Foreman deftly portrays the drama of the small, lost duck, hinting at an ecological message when Tufty loses his way flying through a vast urban maze of man-made structures. The plight of the duck and the kindness of the homeless man who rescues him are heartfelt, and the man's cozy camp in a hollow tree beside the lake to which Tufty returns with his eventual mate will have a vicarious appeal for young readers. A satisfying story with the feel of a classic, well told and beautifully illustrated. (Picture book. 4-8)

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March 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Tufty is a duckling who lives with his family in a lake by a beautiful palace. The Royal Duck and Duckess feed the ducks every day. As summer turns into fall, Father Duck announces that it is time to fly south. The family sets off, but Tufty does not fly as quickly as his siblings. He begins to lag behind and grow tired, and when a storm comes, Tufty is lost and has to stop to rest. He finds shelter in a tunnel and meets a man who shares his food with him. Then the man takes Tufty to his home in the hollow trunk of a tree by a lake, where he remains for the winter. Tufty's family returns in the spring, and he rejoins them, but he does not forget his friend who lives in the tree hollow and gave him a home. Sometimes an accidental change of plans can be serendipitous. Making the best of a difficult situation leads Tufty to find a new friend and even a new home. This simple lesson in problem solving and being open to different solutions is a valuable one for young children. The soft pencil and watercolor illustrations are soothing and cheerful, well suited for young readers vicariously experiencing getting lost and separated from their families. VERDICT This is a gentle book about a common problem and is a suitable addition for most libraries.-Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME

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