Du Iz Tak?
by Carson Ellis
Buy on AmazonDu iz tak? What is that? As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. When the plant grows taller and sprouts leaves, some young beetles arrive to gander, and soon—with the help of a pill bug named Icky—they wrangle a ladder and build a tree fort. But this is the wild world, after all, and something horrible is waiting to swoop down—booby voobeck!—only to be carried off in turn. Su! With exquisitely detailed illustrations and tragicomic flair, Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found in even the humblest backyard. Su!
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"That’s what illustrator and author Carson Ellis explores with great subtlety and warmth in Du Iz Tak? — a lyrical and imaginative tale about the cycle of life and the inexorable interdependence of joy and sorrow, trial and triumph, growth and decay."
Best Children's Books of 2016 · themarginalian.org
"I love this book, perhaps my favourite picture book of last year. Aside from the utterly charming artwork and attention to detail throughout, I love the playfulness with the invented language. I really like how it’s possible to decipher the text as you read it out loud. It’s super clever and fun, the best kind of play! “You can read through the books but you can also just noodle across the spreads and make up your own narratives” Du Iz Tak is so playful with language. Since starting to create my own books I’ve become aware of all the issues that arise when you consider foreign rights and translations. No-one told me you could just mess about with words in the same way you can with the artwork. The fact that Carson Ellis has coupled it with a delightful story, that’s both sweet and sad, with beautiful artwork to match is a total triumph."
Playful Books for Children · fivebooks.com