Genres
Collection
Description
In a strangely heartwarming story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with death. A sophisticated picture book. Suggested level: junior, primary.
Publication
Gecko Press (2016), 38 pages
Media reviews
Duck, Death and the Tulip is the creation of award-winning German artist and writer Wolf Erlbruch, who has chosen childhood as his subject in the manner of, say, William Golding or Harper Lee. Erlbruch (probably best known as the illustrator of The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of
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His Business) is a much-venerated figure in Germany; his subjects emerge from the uncosy side of childhood, a place populated by edgy creatures and uncomfortable themes. You won't find a fuzzy bunny or a little bear who can't sleep in Duck, Death and the Tulip. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member ecumenicalcouncil
A simple story about fear of death. Duck fears death but can't escape him. An odd friendship is established and death quietly sees duck off on that final journey. An interesting story in that it scares adults while children seem to take it for what it is, a lesson in peaceful acceptance.
LibraryThing member rata
A simple story about fear of death. Duck fears death but can't escape him. An odd friendship is established and death quietly sees duck off on that final journey. An interesting story in that it scares adults while children seem to take it for what it is, a lesson in peaceful acceptance.
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Life embraces death in this wonderfully witty, profoundly moving, elegantly crafted story.
LibraryThing member JudyCroome
A sweet, simple and sad story about death. The drawings add depth to the text, which became quite poignant towards the end. From the moment Duck became aware of Death's hovering presence, their inevitable relationship deepened into friendship. In the drawings, Death's gifts Duck with a tulip - but
While I enjoyed the book, especially the smiling, skull-faced Death and the quaintly appealing Duck, I was left feeling only sadness, where a similar book "Cry, Heart, But Never Break" uplifted me despite the poignancy.
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the text makes the assumption that the reader will know the significance. Perhaps that was deliberate - ultimately death cannot be fully known, only guessed at.While I enjoyed the book, especially the smiling, skull-faced Death and the quaintly appealing Duck, I was left feeling only sadness, where a similar book "Cry, Heart, But Never Break" uplifted me despite the poignancy.
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LibraryThing member bookbrig
This book is weird. The illustrations are great, but the story is just odd. I was looking for some good kid's books that deal with death, and this isn't really the sort of thing I was hoping to find. It's pretty entertaining as a weird, hipstery story, but not so much as a kid's book. Also, the
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flap-copy calls this "strangely heart-warming" which is a lying lie. Show Less
Awards
The White Ravens (2008)
Gouden Griffel (Zilveren — 2008)
Language
Original language
German
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
38 p.; 9.5 x 0.5 inches
ISBN
1877467146 / 9781877467141