Duckworth, the Difficult Child

　　Duckworth是一個很難帶的孩子——至少他的父母這麼認為。有一天，Duckworth發現他的衣櫃裡跑出一隻超～～級巨大的蛇，他趕緊衝下樓，大叫：「我房間有蛇，我覺得是一條眼鏡蛇！」這時他的爸媽正坐在沙發上看一本叫做「對付你的難搞孩子」的書，媽媽說：「根據我手上的這本書，你應該已經過了會想像床底有怪獸的年紀了！」

　　沒想到，接下來Duckworth居然被這條橘色大蛇整個吞下肚了，而當這條大蛇溜下樓時，爸爸媽媽還以為這是Duckworth穿著戲服在嚇唬他們。爸媽深信育兒書裡說的：只要不理會，幻覺就會消失，就算Duckworth在大蛇肚子裡面對爸媽喊話，他們仍然無動於中。

　　幸好，最後Duckworth想辦法脫離了困境，他也打算要去找一本書，主題是怎麼對付你的難搞爸媽！

　　「以復古色調的水彩畫呈現出故事的幽默情景，告訴孩子們其實爸媽才難搞……這是一本有趣的書。」——《Booklist》

　　「結合哥德式的感性與藝術裝飾風格。」——《Kirkus Reviews》

　　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.

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.