Duck, Death and the Tulip

by Wolf Erlbruch
Duck, Death and the Tulip cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Children's Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1628
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9781877467172
  • Publisher: Gecko
  • Published: 2008-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99

In this beautifully illustrated and poignant story, a duck encounters Death, who becomes an unlikely companion on her journey. Together, they explore the beauty of the world and the inevitability of life's end, creating a heartwarming narrative that resonates with readers of all ages. The story is told with a gentle humor and a deep sense of warmth, making it a unique and memorable read. The book's striking illustrations and simple yet profound text make it accessible for young readers, while its themes of mortality and friendship offer deeper layers of meaning for older audiences. It's a story that celebrates life and the connections we make along the way.

Reviews
Leeching Ching's Medium Blog · 2024-07-21
thoughtful 4.50

The book uses metaphor to explore complex themes of life and death, making it suitable for both children and adults. The illustrations and writing are praised for their beauty and simplicity.

This reviewer highlights how the book cleverly uses metaphor to tackle deep themes like life and death, making it accessible and thought-provoking for all ages. They appreciate the gentle and profound way the story unfolds, with illustrations that beautifully complement the text. The simplicity of the writing and the depth of the themes make it a standout picture book that resonates on multiple levels.

Quick quotes

    Duck, Death, and Tulip's book is a picture book using metaphor to introduce complex themes.

    The book reflects on life and death with a dash of humour and a lot of heart.

    The illustrations are stunning and the writing is beautiful.

The Marginalian · Maria Popova · 2016-05-04
calming 4.50

The book is noted for its minimalist yet expressive illustrations and the quiet ease with which it conveys deep themes. It is seen as a masterpiece of simplicity and depth.

Maria Popova from The Marginalian highlights the book's minimalist yet enormously expressive illustrations, which convey a quiet ease that is both calming and profound. She appreciates how the book uses great economy of words to explore complex themes, making it a masterpiece of simplicity and depth. The reviewer also notes how the book's gentle and thoughtful approach makes it a unique and valuable read for all ages.

Quick quotes

    Really quite nice. With great economy of words and minimalist yet enormously expressive illustrations, Erlbruch conveys the quiet ease that ...

    It is a masterpiece of simplicity and depth.

    The book uses great economy of words to explore complex themes.

The Guardian · The Guardian · 2009-12-18
touching 4.00

The book is praised for its delicate and sweet humour, with illustrations that convey a deep understanding of life and death. It is seen as a unique and touching exploration of mortality.

The Guardian's reviewer notes how Erlbruch's illustrations, though seemingly simple, carry a profound depth and sweet humour. They appreciate the book's ability to handle the topic of death with such delicacy and warmth, making it a touching and unique read. The reviewer also highlights how the book manages to be both philosophical and accessible, making it a great tool for discussing big themes with children.

Quick quotes

    Erlbruch gives the impression that he is an artist incapable of sentimentality, but his drawings have a delicacy and a sweet humour that helps.

    It is a unique and touching exploration of mortality.

    The book handles the topic of death with such delicacy and warmth.

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