The Vinegar Works: Three Volumes of Moral Instruction facts for kids
Cover of first edition (hardcover)
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| Author | Edward Gorey |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary nonsense, Gothic fiction, Picture books |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
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Publication date
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1963 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | The Beastly Baby |
| Followed by | The Wuggly Ump |
The Vinegar Works: Three Volumes of Moral Instruction is a special collection of three picture books by the famous author and artist Edward Gorey. It was published in 1963. This collection includes The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Insect God, and The West Wing. Each book explores themes of mystery and suspense, often in a spooky, old-fashioned style known as Gothic. You can also find these three books in a larger collection of Gorey's works called Amphigorey, which came out in 1972.
Contents
What Are the Books About?
This collection is made up of three unique books, each with its own style and story.
The Gashlycrumb Tinies
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is probably one of Edward Gorey's most well-known works. It's an abecedarium, which means it teaches the alphabet. But it does this in a very unusual way! The book is a poem that describes how 26 different children meet their end. Each child's first name starts with a letter of the alphabet. For example, "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs." It's a clever way to learn the alphabet using a mnemonic device, which is a trick to help you remember things.
The Insect God
The Insect God is the only book in this collection that tells a clear story. It follows a young girl who is led away from her nanny by human-like insects. This book teaches an important lesson about stranger danger. The story suggests that if the little girl had stayed with her nanny, she would not have faced trouble from the strange insects.
The West Wing
The West Wing is a bit harder to understand than the other two books. It doesn't have a clear "lesson" or a lot of words. The only words are "the west wing" written above a door. The book is a series of numbered pictures that show different parts of what might be a haunted building. Some pictures show everyday things, like doors opening into a hallway. Others are more mysterious and ghostly. These images work together to create a spooky and unsettling feeling.
Inspiration for the Books
It is believed that The West Wing was created because of something a book critic named Edmund Wilson said. The book is even dedicated to him. Wilson had written letters to Edward Gorey, saying that Gorey's drawings were much more impressive than his writing. So, Gorey decided to give him a book to review that had no words at all!
The Title "The Vinegar Works"
The name "The Vinegar Works" first appeared in another one of Gorey's books, The Willowdale Handcar: Or, the Return of the Black Doll. That book was published the year before, in 1962. In it, three main characters are traveling by handcar when they come across a building called "The Vinegar Works." The building is ruined by some unexplained disaster.
