The Gashlycrumb Tinies facts for kids
The Gashlycrumb Tinies: or, After the Outing is a special kind of alphabet book written by Edward Gorey. It was first published in 1963. In this book, Gorey tells the story of 26 children, each representing a letter of the alphabet. He describes their unexpected and often silly accidents in rhyming poems. The book also features Gorey's unique black-and-white drawings.
This book is one of Edward Gorey's most famous works. It stands out among his other alphabet-themed books because of its unusual style. Many people see it as a funny, slightly dark way of looking at childhood. It's different from the usual happy and perfect stories about kids.
About the Book
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is known for its "dark humor." This means it finds humor in things that might seem a bit spooky or serious. The funny part comes from how simple and everyday the children's accidents are. For example, one child might fall down the stairs, or another might choke on a peach.
Why is it Funny?
Instead of showing big, scary nightmares, the book makes fun of the small, everyday worries that parents sometimes have. It takes these common fears and turns them into something a little bit silly and unexpected. This makes the book both clever and entertaining for readers.
Other Works
There is also another story related to The Gashlycrumb Tinies. This story, written by a different author, explains the adventures the children had before their accidents. These adventures lead up to the scenes shown in Edward Gorey's original drawings.
