Captain Duck - Softcover

Alborough, Jez

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007130112 ISBN 13: 9780007130115

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, 2003

Synopsis

Duck in the Truck and Fix-It Duck have sold a staggering 271,000 copies worldwide.

‘Ahoy there, sailors!’ comes a cry.
‘Is this a boating trip I spy?’
If there are seas to be explored,
make way... CAPTAIN DUCK’S ON BOARD!

In this hilarious follow-up to the highly-successful Duck in the Truck and Fix-it Duck, things get even more out of hand when Duck takes the long-suffering Frog and Sheep on a trip out to sea in Goat’s boat! But although Duck likes to think of himself as an expert sailor he soon runs into problems and the friends have to spend a long, cold night out on the rolling waves.

About this title

Review:

Following on from the huge success of Jez Alborough's Duck in the Truck and Fix-it Duck , the irrepressible Duck returns for further adventures in Captain Duck.

Duck has run out of petrol for his truck (a rather snazzy red number, incidentally) and decides to call on his friend Goat, who always has a supply of fuel and who surely wouldn't mind if he "borrowed" some? Duck's beady gaze falls upon Frog and Sheep preparing to set off on a pleasure trip with Goat in his motor boat. Like Toad in The Wind in the Willows, Duck is immediately convinced that this is "the only way to travel" and loses all interest in his beloved truck! While Goat's back is turned, Duck commandeers the boat, appointing himself as Captain (complete with jaunty nautical cap, naturally) and speeds off with his reluctant crew. Of course, chaos ensues, with the friends getting washed out to sea and Duck discovering that he's a landlubber after all. There's also a subtle moral message in Duck's come-uppance as a reminder to ask before taking anything!

Written entirely in rhyming couplets that beg to be read aloud, Captain Duck is a humorous romp enhanced by Alborough's colourful and lively illustrations. Ages 3-7 years.--Alison Drury.

Review:

Praise for the much-loved ‘Duck in the Truck’:

With a nod to Dr. Suess and a wink to John Burningham, Jez Alborough deals an irresistible lesson in rhyme and analogy, as well as storytelling, which is hugely entertaining. ‘Child Education’

Alborough's pictures are addictive, combining graphic simplicity with painterly qualities... Duck in the Truck is a picture book where rhyme, illustration, wit and inventiveness combine to produce outstanding quality. ‘TES Primary’

Praise for Fix-it-Duck:

Alborough’s text is perfect for reading out loud and the mix of close-up and panoramic illustrations give an animated, live-action feel. ‘Junior’

‘Colourful, arresting and busting with action.’ Child Education

More praise for ‘Duck in the Truck:

Alborough’s text is perfect for reading out loud, and the mix of close-up and panoramic illustrations give an animated, live action feel. ‘Junior Magazine’

Duck in the Truck is packed with all the rhyme, colour, imagination and humour a young reader could ask for. ‘Young Book Trust’

More praise for ‘Fix-it-Duck’:

Rhyme, illustration, wit and inventiveness combine to produce outstanding quality. ‘TES Primary’

With light-hearted tension, wry characterisations and lots of squishy mud, this tale makes for a quacking good read-aloud. ‘Publishers Weekly’, US

Praise for ‘Balloon’:

Confirms Alborough’s reputation for simple, lively, rhythmic picture books with a sense of fun.
‘Sunday Times’

Immensely appealing.
‘Bookseller’

You’ll be coming back to this picture book again and again.
‘Independent’

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007130112
• ISBN 13: 9780007130115
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Alborough Jez