Duckworth, the Difficult Child
Michael Sussman
(Author)
Júlia Sardà
(Illustrator)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
Duckworth's parents think he is a difficult child, so when a snake slides right up and swallows him whole, his parents don't believe him! What's poor Duckworth to do? Duckworth is a difficult child.At least that's what his parents think. So when Duckworth tries to explain that a gigantic snake slithered out of his closet, his parents insist it's all in his head--he is far too old to be imagining such nonsense. (And will he please do his chores?) But even when the cobra slides right up and swallows Duckworth whole, his parents remain unconvinced! (Where did he find that snake costume, and will he please put it away?) What's poor Duckworth to do when his parents just won't listen? With nods to the deliciously dark humor of Edward Gorey, Florence Parry Heide, and Jon Klassen, Michael Sussman and Júlia Sardà empathize with children everywhere who must find ways to deal with their difficult parents.
Product Details
Price
$17.99
$16.73
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publish Date
June 18, 2019
Pages
40
Dimensions
8.88 X 11.31 X 0.5 inches | 1.05 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781534405127
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About the Author
Michael Sussman, a clinical psychologist and survivor of difficult parents, is the author of the picture books Otto Grows Down and Duckworth, the Difficult Child, and of two novels for adults, Crashing Eden and Incognolio. Visit him online at MichaelSussmanBooks.com. Júlia Sardà is an illustrator from Barcelona. After her studies, Júlia started working as colorist in a studio which made the editorial merchandising for Disney/Pixar and then moved on to freelancing two years later. With work ranging from concept art for video games to children's illustration, Júlia has had the chance to illustrate some everlasting classics such as Alice in Wonderland; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Visit her online at JuliaSarda.com.
Reviews
"Sardà's illustrations blend a gothic sensibility with an art deco style."--Kirkus Reviews
"What first appears to be a Goreyesque cautionary tale for troublesome children comically turns the tables to target inept parents instead. . . . Sardà plays up the story's situational humor in her detailed, vintage-toned watercolors, ensuring that kids get the joke that the parents are the difficult ones, not Duckworth. A lightly macabre, utterly amusing read."--Booklist
"The visual sensibility is a sort of gothic art deco elegance, in a rich palette dominated by the orange of the cobra; double-page spreads allow plenty of room for the gigantic snake to coil and curl and slither. The significant humor comes from the disconnect between the child's expereince and the adults' disregard (shades of the classic The Shrinking of Treehorn)--to which most children can surely relate."--The Horn Book
"Sussman's sendup of modern parenting (he is a clinical psychologist), dedicated to 'difficult children everywhere, ' is well paired with illustrator Júlia Sardà, who is capable of pulling off a quirky Gorey-esque vibe. She brings distant, angular lines and cool colors to Duckworth's home and even to his parents, which are effectively juxtaposed with the curving, sensual lines and vivid orange of the mammoth snake. Sardà does offbeat well. . . . There's an understated humor to Duckworth's ability to tolerate [his parents] and his necessity for self-sufficiency. After all, in the end, Duckworth saves himself."--BookPage
"What first appears to be a Goreyesque cautionary tale for troublesome children comically turns the tables to target inept parents instead. . . . Sardà plays up the story's situational humor in her detailed, vintage-toned watercolors, ensuring that kids get the joke that the parents are the difficult ones, not Duckworth. A lightly macabre, utterly amusing read."--Booklist
"The visual sensibility is a sort of gothic art deco elegance, in a rich palette dominated by the orange of the cobra; double-page spreads allow plenty of room for the gigantic snake to coil and curl and slither. The significant humor comes from the disconnect between the child's expereince and the adults' disregard (shades of the classic The Shrinking of Treehorn)--to which most children can surely relate."--The Horn Book
"Sussman's sendup of modern parenting (he is a clinical psychologist), dedicated to 'difficult children everywhere, ' is well paired with illustrator Júlia Sardà, who is capable of pulling off a quirky Gorey-esque vibe. She brings distant, angular lines and cool colors to Duckworth's home and even to his parents, which are effectively juxtaposed with the curving, sensual lines and vivid orange of the mammoth snake. Sardà does offbeat well. . . . There's an understated humor to Duckworth's ability to tolerate [his parents] and his necessity for self-sufficiency. After all, in the end, Duckworth saves himself."--BookPage
