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Eloise's avatar

Hooray for newsletters!

I'm requesting that Sendak book right now. I know what you mean about having the illustrations in the book, though; I had the same experience with the Edward Gorey biography. I like to read a book and forget my phone exists, please!

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Jashar Awan's avatar

Yes, exactly! Overall, how was the Edward Gorey biography? There is a picture book Gorey bio coming out in September that I can't wait to read!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605970/as-edward-imagined-by-matthew-burgess-illustrated-by-marc-majewski/

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Eloise's avatar

Ooh that looks so cool! I love how painterly Marc's cover illustration is; I feel like it would be first-thought to imitate Gorey's style, and this direction is so smart.

I learned a lot from the biography but it is dense, and I would say more focused on him as a writer/person than as an artist/illustrator. (I wanted to know more about why his style was what it was, and that isn't really present.)

If I'm going to turn the tables and recommend a book to *you,* The Busy, Busy World of Richard Scarry is my favorite author biography, AND it has pictures.

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Jashar Awan's avatar

I'll have to check that out! Thanks!

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Constance Lombardo's avatar

I just got The Elephant and the Sea - amazing! Ed Vere is a favorite. Just so good. Also love Grumpy Frog

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Jashar Awan's avatar

He's great! I'm going to have to check Grumpy Frog out

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Matteo L. Cerilli (he/him)'s avatar

So excited for TOWED BY TOAD, and for all the awesome newsletters to come!

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Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Matteo!

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Dana Jeri Maier's avatar

This is a perfectly named Substack if I've ever heard one. Welcome Jashar! I am pre-ordering Towed by Toad right now (title reminds me of one of my favorite 30 Rock jokes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cStRdYg3Wk).

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Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Dana! I'd completely forgotten about Homonym—now I'm going to think of it whenever I talk TOAD LOL

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