The Duck and the Darklings

Story

Peterboy is a Darkling – he lives below ground in the land of Dark. Only Grandpapa remembers the world before it was ruined. One day Peterboy goes up to the surface to forage. He comes home with a duck which has an injured wing. The duck brings hope and happiness for the Darklings.

Why we chose it

An unusual and beautiful picture book for older readers with lyrical prose and stunning illustrations. Set in a post-apocalyptic world it is ultimately a story of hope for a broken world.

Where it came from

Glenda Millard is an Australian author who writes picture books and novels for children. Stephen Michael King is an Australian illustrator who has illustrated over eighty books.

Where it went next

In 2015 Duck and the Darklings was short-listed: for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature

Associated stories

Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King have worked together to create other picture books including Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle and Pea Pod Lullaby.

Millard is also the author of the Kingdom of Silk series of novels for younger readers, a number of which have also been illustrated by Stephen Michael King including Layla Queen of Hearts, Plum Puddings and Paper Moons, Perry Angel’s Suitcase, The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk and All the Colours of Paradise. Glenda Millard’s novels for older readers include A Small Free Kiss in the Dark and, for young adults, The Stars at Oktober Bend.