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Duel
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Caldecott Honoree Shawn Harris uses mirrored images to tell the story of two queens, two knights, and a duel over one shared hill in this astonishingly symmetrical picture book.
Two castles sit on a hill, home to two queens. But the queens would rather not share, and each sends a knight to joust for the land.
Two queens is one too many for this hill, the queens concurred.
Let's hold a duel. The one who wins will rule the hill in whole.
There’s just one problem—when the winner stands up in the middle of the field, no one is sure which side he came from. Maybe neighborly sharing is back in vogue! After all, they have so much in common.
The illustrations in Duel follow one simple rule. Each pair of facing pages is perfectly symmetrical, mirrored over the gutter of the book. Even the colors are the result of squish painting, wet paint pressed between center-folded paper.
Shawn Harris’s self-imposed artistic dare has resulted in a visually arresting and effortlessly funny picture book that kids are sure to ask for on repeat. And to the bold, Duel whispers: what might you create, if you set yourself a challenge?
Two castles sit on a hill, home to two queens. But the queens would rather not share, and each sends a knight to joust for the land.
Two queens is one too many for this hill, the queens concurred.
Let's hold a duel. The one who wins will rule the hill in whole.
There’s just one problem—when the winner stands up in the middle of the field, no one is sure which side he came from. Maybe neighborly sharing is back in vogue! After all, they have so much in common.
The illustrations in Duel follow one simple rule. Each pair of facing pages is perfectly symmetrical, mirrored over the gutter of the book. Even the colors are the result of squish painting, wet paint pressed between center-folded paper.
Shawn Harris’s self-imposed artistic dare has resulted in a visually arresting and effortlessly funny picture book that kids are sure to ask for on repeat. And to the bold, Duel whispers: what might you create, if you set yourself a challenge?
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
40 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Shawn Harris
62 books34 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This author/illustrator has provided readers with another creative story- told entirely with symmetrical spreads of painted artwork. As the action builds, it is going to be so much fun to read aloud with groups of students!
This author/illustrator has provided readers with another creative story- told entirely with symmetrical spreads of painted artwork. As the action builds, it is going to be so much fun to read aloud with groups of students!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Clever. The use of symmetrical printing makes this a great book to use for a story time craft or art lesson.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Cute & quick, will make a great readaloud in my house.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Harris takes storytelling to a creative new level with Duel, a medieval tale shown entirely with symmetrical illustrations! How fun!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews