Duffy and the Devil
By Harve Zemach
The Story
A lazy servant girl strikes a bargain with a devil who spins and knits for her in secret, buying her an easy life with the Squire — until she must guess his name or pay his price.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves a good trickster tale and roots for the underdog who talks (or bluffs) her way out of trouble.
- Big idea: Cleverness and nerve can get you out of a deal that looks impossible to escape.
- Vibes: Sly, salty, and full of Cornish character — funny in a wink-and-a-nudge way.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy trickster and bargain-with-the-devil tales
- like to guess what happens next in a clever plot
- respond well to stories with dialect and old-fashioned language
- love looking closely at richly detailed illustrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Duffy agreed to let the devil do her spinning and knitting for her?
- Imagination: If you needed to guess someone's secret name, how would you try to find it out?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever made a deal or promise that turned out to be trickier than you expected?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Duffy felt once she realized what she might have to give up?
- Art & illustration: What do Margot Zemach's pictures tell you about the devil's personality?
