Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
May 5, 2016/in Picture Book 5-8 Infant/Junior /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 218 May 2016
Reviewer: Jill Bennett
ISBN: 978-1783444991
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Andersen Press
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 5-8 Infant/Junior
Length: 32pp
Buy the Book

Tufty

Author: Michael Foreman

We first meet Tufty as he and his family (he’s the youngest duckling) swim in a lake in the grounds of what appears to be Buckingham Palace. Tufty we are told, has trouble keeping up with the others. The Royal residents (Mother Duck calls them the Royal Duck and Duckess) feed the ducks during their morning walk by the lake; but with the advent of colder days and nights, Father Duck tells his offspring that it will soon be time to fly south to warmer climes.

Soon after, they’re on their way, but Tufty, unable to keep pace with the rest, is left behind and worse, his view of his family is blocked by the towering city skyscrapers. Exhausted, the duckling lands on what to him looks like an island amid the traffic and there he meets a homeless man. Leaving the roaring traffic behind, the man takes Tufty to his makeshift home and there cares for him and feeds him all through the winter. When spring finally comes, Tufty, now much bigger and stronger is ready to make the flight back to the royal lake, so when he spies his family flying overhead, he joins them. Back in the palace gardens he finds a mate and not long after, the two of them return to the lake in the woods and are warmly received by the kindly man once more.

This is a thoroughly satisfying tale of warmth and caring: why one wonders is it so often those who have least to give, who are ready to share what little they have. As always Foreman’s eloquent watercolour and pencil illustrations are truly beautiful, offering as they do, a constantly changing vista from expansive cityscape to zoomed-in close up of Tufty and his family as they huddle up together for warmth.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2016-05-05 18:57:002021-07-03 17:58:11Tufty

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue BfK 263 November 2023
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Winners of 2023 SLA Information Book Award

November 23, 2023

Nero Book Awards Announce Inaugural Shortlist

November 21, 2023

Longlist Revealed for Inaugural Inclusive Books For Children Awards 2024

November 20, 2023

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2023 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught her to Fly Alphonse, That is Not OK to Do!
Scroll to top