Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Duck, Death, and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch

We’re killing two birds with one stone this week (pun reluctantly intended). A reader suggested today’s book a long time ago. Add in the fact that it’s October and we should be doing some Halloween-themed titles and you’ve got yourself today’s latest edition of International Classic Picture Books. Take a trip to Germany to visit one of the loveliest, softest books about life and death out there. Maybe it’s not classic Halloween fare, but I like it.
By the way, it may amuse you to know that while I was fearful to read this book to my 7-year-old daughter, unbeknownst to me I’d just left the darn thing lying about so she read it without me. There’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

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Source Notes:
– In case you weren’t quite sure what I was talking about, this is the video of the weatherman’s map going crazy:

– I would like to reiterate that we will never ever do this book on the show. Not for the wide wide world.

– There really are countless videos about today’s book. Here are some of the standouts:
First, the quiet animated short film:

Next, a trailer for a rather lovely version that played in Edinburgh:

And finally, I’ll be rather honest here. I’m not sure what country this version is from:

– Death has no socks.

– By the way, the translation of this, the Gecko Press edition published in 2011, was done by Catherine Chidgey. Bravo, Ms. Chidgey.
– I just love this image of Duck surprised. I wouldn’t mind a shirt of this.

– Honestly, I’m sure Mr. Erlbruch knows perfectly well how to draw digits and is doing mittens for other reasons. Still funny, though.

– Here is one example of the very beautiful, etched wallpaper tree.

– The one-page crow.

– The sudden change in the background.

– Oh, the fox went out on a chilly night . . .

– The Romper article in question was called Why Duck, Death and the Tulip Is a Cult Favorite Among Authors.
– Meanwhile the Brain Pickings article was Duck, Death and the Tulip: An Uncommonly Tender Illustrated Meditation On the Cycle of Life.
– Like gentle picture books about death? Try the following!

 
– Betsy Recommends: White Knight by Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth. A quick correction to what I said on the podcast, though. The Joker actually runs for Councilman, not Mayor.

– Kate Recommends: CoriTaylorMN on Etsy where, as Kate says, you can find stupid comfy clothing like this swell little Octumnal offering:

Kate, if you want to buy this for me, I won’t say no to you.

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate