New Book
Inspired by the real-life rainbow-colored Mandarin Duck who appeared in New York’s Central Park in 2018, this modern fable by Bette Midler celebrates the connections people make with each other and the world around them. How do you get people to appreciate what is right in front of them? In The Tale of the Mandarin Duck, it takes a mysterious, beautiful duck and a clear-eyed kid to point out the obvious! Bette Midler’s distinctive voice joins striking photos of the real duck by Michiko Kakutani and charming black-and-white drawings by Joana Avillez. This book will have readers of all ages coming back to visit the fantastical interpretation of New York City and its odd ducks–both feathered and human. An afterword by Ms. Kakutani adds details to the facts behind this one-of-a-kind story of the Mandarin Duck.
About the Author:
Winner of Grammy and Golden Globe Awards, Bette Midler is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. One of the bestselling female singers, her albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. She rose from very a humble beginning – from being a cabaret dancer at a gay bathhouse, she went on to become one of the most successful singers in the music industry. In a career spanning over a period of several decades, Midler, a multi-talented personality, has earned great appreciation in film and television industry. She has also appeared on several Broadway shows and is also a composer and songwriter.
About the Photographer:
Michiko Kakutani, the former chief book critic of The New York Times, is the author of the 2018 bestseller The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump.
Bette Midler talks about her new book “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck”
“Midler has crafted a loving ode to the people of New York…. A celebration of beauty—in a city, in its people, and in an extraordinary avian visitor.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“This story is rooted in reality yet slyly surreal…. There is a crackling creative synergy among the book’s collaborators, each of whom contributes bountifully to the storytelling.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
