The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau

Jon AgeeClick here for biography

Who would dare enter a portrait of a duck in the Grand Contest of Art? But when Felix Clousseau's painting quacks, he is hailed as a genius. Suddenly everyone wants a Clousseau masterpiece, and the unknown painter becomes an overnight sensation. That's when the trouble begins.

Art imitates life in this hilarious, absurdist picture book – one of Jon Agee's most beloved titles, now back in print.

Read Jon's guest blog for FCBG's National Share a Story Month

Read Alison Brumwell's YLG blog

Praise for this book:

'The story of an artist who stuns the world when his portrait of a duck starts quacking. 'They called him a genius, it was the first time in history a painting had quacked.' But Clousseau finds that artistic fame can quickly turn sour.' THE OLDIE

'The book is full of wonderful Agee humour, and I won't spoil the ending.' JUNO MAGAZINE

'A beautiful hardback … The fantastic illustrations, funny narrative and sheer imagination make this a perfect book to read to a class … Highly recommended for using as an impetus for creative writing.' SCHOOL READING LIST

'A new printing of this now-classic picture book. The concept and plot are clever and beautifully constructed with twists and turns, and Jon Agee's trademark wit, humour and sense of the surreal. A playful examination of what realism in art actually means, and the difference between 2 and 3 dimensional.' ACHUKA

'A triumphant celebration of 'comic absurdity.' BOOKS FOR KEEPS

'A brilliant tale which is on the one hand absurd and funny, but on the other can prompt discussion about art and who decides what is good art, the fickle nature of public opinion and the effects of fame (or notoriety). Fully deserving of its classic status in the US, I am quite sure that this will be highly valued in schools here too.' Love Reading 4 Kids

'Deliciously droll, this is a reissue of one of Jon Agee's earlier picture books: it's certainly stood the test of time and great to see Scallywag republishing it now some thirty years on. If you're looking for a book to use as a starting point with an arty theme for a community of enquiry session, this one will definitely fit the bill.' Red Reading Hub

'Operates as both a fun story and a philosophical premise.' Book Trust

 

<< Back to books