Freddy, ducks Alice and Emma, and the Webb spiders are cast on a voyage when a fairground balloon will not return to the ground.

Days later when landing, Freddy must confront the dishonest balloon owner who received money from Mr. Bean for damages.

In a poetic mood, Freddy suggests ducks Alice and Emma repeat the feat of the first animals to fly in a balloon.

Pretending he does not recognize him, the sheriff updates Freddy, who dangerously decides to return to the Bean farm, which is staked out by police.

In the meantime, back at the balloon, the ducks Alice and Emma have discovered their long lost Uncle Wesley, who is making a living selling shoddy goods to forest animals.

Endpapers in blue and beige and a full color dust jacket freely interpret scenes from the book.

The antics of parachute jumping mice and the all too human foibles of the duck family, combined with cows, spiders, and circus animals make a delightful story.