Edward Gorey, the Great American Children’s Book Author: Dr. Seuss infused with Edgar Allen Poe

Edward Gorey was an American writer, illustrator, costume designer and playwright. His books often used unsettling subjects and ominous tones, written for children but enjoyed by adults as well.

Gashlycrumb Tinies was Edward Gorey’s best known work and the worlds most iconic alphabet book. It is a tale of 26 children, a child for each letter of the alphabet, and their unfortunate demise. It was written to help children feel comfortable with things that scared them and poke humor in the mundane way death can occur.

From the Gashlycrumb Tinies, a tale of 26 children and their deaths.

Some Pages from the Gashlycrumb Tinies:

Edward Gorey used his distinctive black and white illustrations which created a dreadful feeling to the children’s book.

      The Gashlycrumb Tinies has it’s own cult following and is popular around the world.

The book was created in part for parents; it highlighted the absurd situations which children need protection from.

The Gashlycrumb Tinies has been in print since it was first printed 51 years ago.

Gorey’s ink drawings in black and white usually depict scenes in the Victorian and Edwardian settings.

Although Edward Gorey’s books were popular with children, he was not actually fond of kids.

“My mission in life is to make everybody as uneasy as possible. I think we should all be as uneasy as possible, because that’s what the world is like.” — Edward Gorey

For more information on this talented man visit Edward Gorey Website.