Lumpish Yokels!
Klutz is a children’s book that was written and illustrated by Henrik Drescher in 1996.
The Klutz family has always been clumsy since the dawn of time (literally, their earliest ancestor was a caveman who was very clumsy). They would spend their days falling down the stairs and falling on their faces whenever they go out. The family’s clumsiness is caused by their large black boots that they never took off for any occasion. However, the Klutz family’s lives change when they crashed into a circus caravan being run by Professor Squirmworm and Professor Squirmworm was so impressed by their clumsiness that he hired them as circus performers!
Klutz includes examples of:
- Catchphrase: "Lumpish Yokels!" as called out by the Klutz's neighbors whenever they make fun of their clumsiness.
- Cloud Cuckoo Lander: The Klutz family seems to be oblivious to their endless clumsiness, even though it’s been running in their family for many generations.
- The Fool: The entire Klutz family can be considered this due to their clumsiness, especially after they joined the circus.
- Grotesque Gallery: The Klutz family themselves have wobbly limbs and colorfully striped noses. Also, most of the other characters in this book either have wobbly limbs like the Klutz family or have realistic newspaper clippings pasted on their heads.
- It Runs in the Family: The Klutz family’s clumsiness has been running in their family for many generations including having a relative who was known for sinking the Titanic.
- Meaningful Name: Klutz is an appropriate last name considering how clumsy they all are.
- Running Gag: The Klutz family constantly tripping over themselves or causing mayhem wherever they go.
- Slapstick: Most of the Klutz family's clumsiness involves them falling down the stairs and causing mayhem to their neighbors whenever they go out.
- Surreal Humor: The fact that the Klutz family's large black shoes caused their clumsiness in the first place.
