Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck

by Mauri Kunnas, Jill Timbers (Translator), Mauri Kunnas (Illustrator)

Overview

From the award-winning Mauri Kunnas, Finland's most celebrated children's author, a hilarious picture book which follows the adventures of a sleepwalking goat. Mr. Clutterbuck, a mild-mannered goat, sleepwalks his way into unimaginable adventures: one night the lead singer of a rock band, the next an entrepreneur, Mr. Clutterbuck soon finds himself the hero of his town. A book that will send readers of all ages into fits of laughter.

Mr. Clutterbuck is blissfully unaware of his reputation as the busiest and loudest sleepwalker in town. Meek and mild-mannered when awake, at night Mr. Clutterbuck seeks thrills and adventures. Often the accidental instigator of chaos, Mr. Clutterbuck soon becomes the lead singer of a rock band, an entrepreneur, a disco king, and, eventually, the hero of his town. Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck is sure to captivate readers of all ages as we wonder what kind of situation Mr. Clutterbuck will find himself in next. With a lively tapestry of characters, including a motorcycle gang of cats and crocodiles, a hippo in charge of a sausage factory, and an ill-tempered bull at a theme park, Mauri Kunnas playfully shows what can happen when you step outside your comfort zone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780914671763
Publisher:	Steerforth Press
Publication date:	11/28/2017
Pages:	36
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.40(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mauri Kunnas was born in 1950 in the small Southwestern Finnish town of Vammala. He began drawing early on, following his passion to the University of Art and Design in Helsinki. At first an illustrator of comic strips and political cartoons, Kunnas published his first children's book in 1975: The Book of Finnish Elves, which soon became a bestseller in Finland. Since then, Kunnas has written and illustrated over forty children's books. Among his many awards, he was the winner of the Finnish Picture Book Prize in 1992, the 2009 Lifetime Award for Positivity, and the 2013 State Award for Public Information for a distinguished life's work. In his spare time, Kunnas enjoys the Beatles, playing the guitar, films, and history - as well as watching thunderstorms.

Read an Excerpt

Mr. Clutterbuck comes home from work and carries his groceries into the kitchen. Just then the phone rings. It’s Mr. Clutterbuck’s friend.
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Mauri Kunnas.
Excerpted by permission of Steerforth Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

"The imaginative illustrations... are populated with so many different types of animals that even the varied residents in Richard Scarry’s books pale in comparison...Complex storytelling with intricately detailed illustrations results in a tale that will engage those with the patience to follow a couple of story threads, as well as those who like illustrations stuffed to the brim." — Booklist

"This is a very fun story that kids will love. The exploits of Mr. Clutterbuck are finely and intricately detailed in the wonderful illustrations by Mauri Kunnas... Children (and adults) who like Sven Nordqvist and Marianne Dubuc should be delighted by this story." — Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review

"A sleepwalking goat dispels crises, wreaks gooey havoc, and solves a mysterious rash of disappearing spoons in this Finnish import... properly replete with silly details and side business... silly names and situations should keep older listeners hooked." — Kirkus Reviews

"The dense, cartoon-like illustrations are full of humorous detail. Readers will want to discuss their preferred ride at the amusement park. Would it be the Cyclone, the Gut Churner, the Shake 'n' Quake or the Turbo Whip? Translated from the Finnish, English readers can pour over the illustrations and enthuse about Mr. Clutterbuck's adventures." — School Librarian

"Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck is sure to captivate readers of all ages as we wonder what kind of situation Mr. Clutterbuck will find himself in next. With a lively tapestry of characters, including a motorcycle gang of cats and crocodiles, a hippo in charge of a sausage factory, and an ill-tempered bull at a theme park, Mauri Kunnas playfully shows what can happen when you step outside your comfort zone. [O]riginal, charming, and thoroughly entertaining... [U]nreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." — Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review


Goodnight Mr Clutterbuck by Mauri Kunnas (Elsewhere Editions) is a hysterical tale of a sleepwalking goat. Every night he unknowingly leaves his bed and gets into all kinds of strange situations- leaving chaos in his wake and occasionally doing something crazy (like being the lead singer of a band!). This book feels different- the illustrations are intricate and full of life- there is so much to talk about as you read aloud.  A lovely, awesome quirky addition to your store's collection." - Kira Wizner, Proprietor, Merritt Bookstore, for NAIBA

"This humorous book has great illustrations that you could spend hours perusing." — Cracking the Cover

"Goodnight Mr. Clutterbuck is a hilarious story with riotous illustrations – a definite modern classic." —Outside In World

Praise for Mr. Clutterbuck's Seven Wonders:

"The illustrations swarm with multiple stories and images. Readers should take time to discover and appreciate them all. Not for nothing is Kunnas one of Finland's most beloved and successful children's writers... With the help of detailed illustrations and humoristic dialogs, Mr. Clutterbuck, eccentric and lovable, wins a place in the reader's heart." — Katrin Czerwinka, Jugendbuch-Couch

"The illustrations alternate between stories in pictures and crowded scenes full of details, to be rediscovered thousands of times." — Katharina Granzin, Perlentaucher

From the Publisher

11/01/2017
Gr 2–4—One of Finland's most beloved characters, a sleepwalking goat by the name of Mr. Clutterbuck, makes his U.S. debut in this unlikely heroic tale. Kunnas, acclaimed Finnish children's author, creates a lengthy textual story surrounded by detailed cartoon illustrations reminiscent of Steven Kellogg's work, where exuberance bursts from each page and readers must invest in the small details to fully appreciate the story. This is no hardship, for quirky characters and expressive faces abound, enlivening Mr. Clutterbuck's world and the subsequent ridiculous antics that lead him to resolve conflicts. Mr. Clutterbuck begins his journey before the cover page, sleepwalking across the title page as his adorably exasperated pet, Gus the guinea pig, follows behind to keep him out of trouble. During the course of Mr. Clutterbuck's jaunts, he cuts a swath between rival motorcycle gangs in a speeding shopping cart, causes a dog riot at Wally Wurst's Sausage Factory, becomes a singing sensation at a hit band's recording session, engages in a dance marathon across railroad tracks, jumps on a series of dangerous rides at an amusement park, and inadvertently solves a crime that's baffled the local police for days. Upon awakening, he is continually surprised by his dishevelment. Each escapade brings resolution to others; for example, the rival gangs reconcile with each other and the dog riot helps Wally Wurst realize he should be making dog food, thereby saving his business. Readers will delight at the clueless hero's unintentional merits, as well as the humorous final twist. VERDICT Hand this amusing story to older picture book readers who enjoy poring over minute details. A strong addition.—Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public Library, WI

School Library Journal

2017-07-17
A sleepwalking goat dispels crises, wreaks gooey havoc, and solves a mysterious rash of disappearing spoons in this Finnish import.With his frantic guinea pig, Gus, scurrying along to flag down street traffic, Mr. Clutterbuck ("Herra Hakkarainen" in the original Finnish) drifts out in his nightshirt for inadvertent adventure. He brings rival biker gangs together, saves Wally Wurst's sausage factory, causes a major mustard spill in the railyard, inspires a rock band with impromptu lyrics—"SQUICK-SQUELCH MUDDY BUTT! BRATTY POOPY POO!" ("Rude and crude and just what we need!" squeals manager Ramp Fibian)—and pulls off other exploits, all unawares. Finally, the morning after he helps nab feathered felon Picklock Pete and recover a huge stash of stolen spoons, the grateful town presents the confused caprine with a gift that leaves the exhausted Gus, at least, delighted: a treadmill. An all-animal cast prone (except for Mr. Clutterbuck) to comical overreactions crowds cartoon illustrations that are properly replete with silly details and side business. There's more text than in a typical picture book, and the already-busy design can seem overwhelming, but silly names and situations should keep older listeners hooked. No more nighttime expeditions for Mr. Clutterbuck—unless there's a power failure, of course. (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews