A NEW YORK TIMES / NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR!

★ “In a world bound by rules and conventions, what’s it like to be someone “content to do his own thing, in his own way, in his own time”? Burgess (Sylvester’s Letter) and Majewski (The Art of Rewilding) provide an answer in this splendid biography of creator Edward Gorey (1925–2000)… Prolific and one-of-a-kind, Gorey stands out from these pages as profoundly fulfilled—a figure of unwavering authenticity and creativity.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ ”For children intent on marching to the beat of a different drummer and needing some encouragement to keep that beat…Required reading for independent spirits—not to mention any future fans of Lemony Snicket, Tim Burton, or practically any other modern writer or artist of Gothic bent.” —School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

“Burgess relishes Gorey’s contentment and celebrates his singular artistic achievements. ‘He lived his life precisely as he wished,’ and his books’ strange denizens live on, ‘just as Edward imagined.’ In playful, expressionistic tableaux, Majewski depicts cityscapes, book-stuffed interiors, vibrant stages, selected Gorey characters, and the seaside ease of his final years. An admiring, and admirable, tribute to an iconoclastic artist.” –Kirkus

“Majewski’s illustrations, acrylic paintings on paper, are created in a refreshingly childlike style. An original picture-book biography featuring a brilliant individual who was a widely admired artist." –Booklist

“Matthew Burgess’s charming storytelling highlights the quirky ingenuity of Edward Gorey’s stories, plays, and illustrations. Cleverly divided into three acts, his biography emphasizes how Edward remained true to himself throughout his life, finding jobs that complimented his skills and pastimes that fed his imagination. Inspirational and celebrating the individual, Burgess’s breezy and uplifting text will engage children and encourage them to listen to and stay true to their own unique voice.” –Celebrating Picture Books