Mr Darcy

Alex Field (author)

Peter Carnavas (illustrator)

New Frontier Publishing, Australia: November 2011

ISBN: 9781921042836

Genres: picture book

Issues: friendship

'Mr Darcy lived by himself on the edge of Pemberley Park. It was a place where the trees blossomed and the lake sparkled. Mr Darcy loved Pemberley Park, but sometimes he felt lonely.'

Mr Darcy, you see, is a Duck. And when Lizzy invites him to tea he isn't quite sure that he wants to visit a smaller, less attractive park. But then something happens to Mr Darcy that demonstrates quite clearly that while pride might go before a fall, mud puddles can happen to anyone and there's no shame in accepting a little help from a friend.

Parents, especially, will appreciate the intertextual references of this delightful picture book. It's unlikely that many beginner readers will have heard of one of literature's greatest romances but when they do eventually discover Austen for themselves, no doubt they will enjoy a reminiscent chuckle at Alex Field's charming picture book satire. The more imaginative high school teachers may be willing to use Mr Darcy as a discussion starter as Field and Carnavas have captured 'in small' the essence of the main romantic narrative of Pride & Prejudice. For younger children it will serve as a lesson in community and friendship, as well as communication.

Peter Carnavas has a great capacity to capture both humour and affection in his illustrations and in Mr Darcy he's done it again. Mr Darcy's extraordinarily tall hat becomes symbolic of the character's stubborn pride but also his painful shyness. Carnavas is able to use minimal line and colour to support and enrich the text by projecting an extraordinary range of emotions and personalities.

Thoroughly delightful, Mr Darcy will appeal to readers of all ages. Even teenage siblings are going to have fun reading this one to their annoying younger sisters and brothers!