Duck, Death and the Tulip

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New Fall 2022: WOW Stories, Global Literacy Communities: Selecting and Discussing Global Literature. Wolf Erlbruch was a German Illustrator, writer and Academic. He was born on June 30, 1948, in Wuppertal, Germany. He attended the Folkwang Hochschule (1967-1974) and studied graphic design. As a student he worked in advertising. He also worked as an illustrator for magazines, which included Stern and Esquire. In 1985, he illustrated, Der Adler, der nicht fliegen wollte by James Aggrey. He continued to write and illustrate many books. He is best known for his illustrations in, The Story of Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business by Werner Holzwarth. Erlbruch was a professor at several universities, Fachhochschule Düsseldorf (1990-1997), University of Wuppertal (starting in 1997), and Folkwang University of the Arts (2009-2011). He received many awards and honors for his work. He received the 2006 Hans Christian Anderson Award. He was given the 2014 E. O. Plauen Prize. In 2017, he was presented the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Wolf Erlbruch died on December 11, 2022. He was 74. The character of Death is depicted as a dressing-gown clad figure with a stylised skull for a head. Obviously any representation of a skull comes heavily loaded with our pre-conceived baggage that we hang on this symbolism, but the look of the character is softened by the rest of the figure who looks like they are perpetually ready for bed or haven’t bothered to get dressed for the day. Explaining the topic of death in a way that is honest, lightly philosophical and with gentle humor, this enchanting book has been translated into multiple languages, adapted into an animated movie and short film and performed on stages worldwide.

I appreciate that this book presents death as a normal part of life. I repeat—normal! Simple. Real. An ending. Both pathos and wry humor. I could see using it as a book club selection; also as a way into discussions about dying and death with family members, even children. From J.K. Rowling, a classic Hogwarts Library book, and the perfect addition to the bookshelf of every Harry Potter fan. I do know that children's books have always appropriated adult subject matter. Shaun Tan, author of picture books about depression and immigration ( The Red Tree and The Arrival), deserves much of the recent credit – or perhaps the blame – for a spate of picture books with thoroughly unchildish subjects. And it can be no coincidence that the tradition which spawned the Brothers Grimm, and the most terrifying stories in all children's literature, also brings us Wolf Erlbruch. Most adults don’t know exactly how to breech the ominous subject of death with their children and often come up with a euphemistic metaphor that may far from adequately explain the end of life. So for a book to be able to offer children, and their parents, a clear and uncompromising view of death without being too scary or saccharine is a triumph. Whether or not you will want to read it to a child — though of course life will present limitless moments when it will be appropriate — is up to you. Chances are you’ll want a copy for yourself.Soft Philosophical" (ปรัชาสายนุ่มนวล) เป็นหนังสือที่บอกเล่าถึงสัจธรรมแห่งการจากลาและความตายได้อย่างอบอุ่นและอ่อนโยน ลายเส้นก็ดูสะอาดตา มีความละมุนและเรียบง่าย การออกแบบตัวละครก็ไม่ได้มีความซับซ้อนใดๆ โดยเฉพาะตัวละครที่ชื่อว่า "ความตาย" ที่ไม่ได้ดูน่าหวาดกลัวหวาดหวั่น กลับทำให้รู้สึก "ธรรมดา" เสียด้วยซ้ำ ราวกับผู้เขียนพยายามบอกว่า แท้จริงแล้ว ความตายไม่ได้หน้าตาน่ากลัวอย่างที่คิดด้วยซ้ำ NL: Dit is zeker weten een van mijn favoriete prentenboeken. Het is kort, lief en de illustraties zijn prachtig. Ik denk dat dit boek enorm handig kan zijn als je aan een kind moet uitleggen dat iemand overleden is, of ze vragen hebben over de dood. Het boek voelt enorm vredig en dat lijkt mij de perfecte manier om dit natuurlijke proces uit te leggen zonder onnodige angst in te boezemen. Death can be a bewildering, scary concept to explain to children so Erlbruch’s quirky tale with his own equally quirky pictures may be very useful – for adults as well as children. With great economy of words and minimalist yet enormously expressive illustrations, Erlbruch conveys the quiet ease that develops between the two as they relax into an unlikely camaraderie.

Death is something all children ask about eventually, either as an abstract idea, or because a grandparent or pet has died. Maybe it comes from questioning where their food comes from – or whether dead flowers go “to heaven” too? Even if they are spared something unexpected and tragic happening close to their lives, it may come up through listening to or watching the news.I guess the big question for anyone before they read this, is what is the philosophical conclusion of this book if it is not heaven or hell? Give it a read and it might give you something to consider as you take one more step towards the inevitable. Now Peter Wilson has adapted it for Little Dog Barking, the company he established in 2010 to produce work specifically aimed at Early Childhood and Lower Primary School aged groups. The second thing the reader notices is the extraordinary courage of the book – the uncluttered nature of its graphics, the uncompromising excellence of its design and production and its honest message that `Death is always with us’.

The ending isn’t sad, because it’s just life. And though this book may be intended for the more adult reader, it’s told so philosophically, and with such inherent humour, it’s suitable for kids of any age. John: In the story and the illustrations we’ve got this life-affirming message about death. How’s that work?Beautifully done in every respect, it is highly recommended for 4 to 8 year olds (public performance Saturday 23 March, 10am). This book is an excellent conversation starter. It covers the topic of death in a simple and effective way. It provides the reader(s) a safe space to discuss the difficult subject matter.

Ente, Tod und Tulpe: Andrea Simon stellt Tanzfilm vor". Hofheimer Zeitung. 18 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012 . Retrieved 8 May 2012. Me lo sono dovuto annotare, qua, per archiviarlo a lungo termine in questa memoria digitale che è il mio giornale di lettura e, quindi, per tangenza, un diario di vita. Esta pequeña historia tiene todo lo que un cuento necesita para robarme el corazón: ilustraciones sencillas pero delicadas, un argumento que, aún llendo al grano, encuentra espacio para pequeñas bromas y detalles exquisitos, personajes tiernos y entrañables pero sin rozar siquiera lo cursi, una historia que cabe en menos de 20 páginas pero te hace abrazar el libro al terminar y simplemente permanecer así durante 10 minutos, en silencio, pensando en por qué es tan simple y tan bueno al mismo tiempo...JANELLE: As I think about your last line here as well as previous comments regarding the metaphorical and philosophical perceptions on death, I am reminded about the power of picture books for all readers. They enable us to take difficult issues to more complex levels through often simple text but intricate illustrations. It is no wonder that Wolf Erlbruch has been given the 2017 ALMA honor as this is but one example of his life’s work in illustration.