 Death, a cute, robe-clad skull figure bearing a deep red tulip, comes to visit Duck in this quiet and strange picture book. They develop an unusual, but beautiful friendship. At the pond, Death gets chilled, and Duck comforts him. They climb a tree. Duck wonders about dying and the afterlife. She is not afraid. In the end, Duck dies and Death gently lays the tulip on her. Surrealistic mixed-media artwork and deadpan humor extend the tender treatment of this difficult topic. mjw |
| Title: Duck, Death And The Tulip Author: Wolf Erlbruch Illustrator: Wolf Erlbruch Publisher: Gecko Press Copyright: 2011 Original language: German Translator: Catherine Chidgey Original title: Ente, Tod und Tulpe Original publisher: Verlag Antje Kunstmann Gmb H, Munchen Original copyright: 2007 ISBN: 978-1-877579-02-8 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 6-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s residence: Germany Awards: 2008 German Youth Literature Prize Nomination, Illustrator has won 2006 Hans Christian Andersen a Award and the 2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Subjects: Death, Ducks, Western Europe |
Duck, Death And The Tulip
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When her new teacher mistakes twelve-year-old Simone for a boy, the excitement and complications of her double life begin. Quirky and eccentric characters; amusing episodes; and themes encompassing teenage identity, sexuality, gender, intergenerational friendships, and death make this an interesting and entertaining story. Simone’s world of fruitloops and dipsticks includes an impulsive and artistic mother, ducks in the classroom, lost dogs, and kooky friends. First published in Sweden in 1984, this beautifully written first person narration is a product of its time with a real Scandinavian flavor. mjw
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