Book picks similar to
The Sinking Spell by Edward Gorey


picture-books
poetry
fiction
read-in-english

Monsters You Should Know


Emma SanCartier - 2018
    Illustrator Emma SanCartier captures the bizarre and hilarious elements of 17 monsters from around the world in a light, tongue-in-cheek tone, from the Japanese dream-eater Baku and the Persian carnivorous unicorn Shadhavar to the Eastern-European Shurale, a literal tickle monster. Packaged in a textured three-piece case and illustrated in lush watercolor, Monsters You Should Know is a perfect primer for the many strange, frightening, and compelling things that go bump in the night.

Art


Patrick McDonnell - 2006
    Children are introduced to the imaginative world of art and how a picture really can be worth a thousand words.

Unforgotten


Tohby Riddle - 2012
    It's a book about light and dark, doubt and faith, friendship and compassion.Riddle’s representations of the strangeness of the urban landscape evoke a sense of movement that has been captured – and stilled momentarily – as if by the lens of an old-fashioned camera. Whenever we spend time with it, the spare text and mesmerising images have a way of calming the room around us as if there issomething peaceful settling over us as we read. It is a triumph of wonderful quiet beauty.Unforgotten feels like a classic in the making with its thought-provoking edgy surrealism, plea for compassion and sense of the absurd, while leaving lots of room for individual, imaginative interpretation."Reading this book is like being quietly ushered into another dimension by winged strangers, a place beyond the tread of normal earth-bound language. Ephemeral as a feather, timeless as a rock, and as true as both, Unforgotten is a magical experience."– Shaun Tan, author of The Arrival and Tales from Outer Suburbia

How I Became a Pirate


Melinda Long - 2003
    I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view.So proclaims Jeremy Jacob, a boy who joins Captain Braid Beard and his crew in this witty look at the finer points of pirate life by the Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon and the storyteller Melinda Long. Jeremy learns how to say “scurvy dog,” sing sea chanteys, and throw food . . . but he also learns that there are no books or good night kisses on board: “Pirates don’t tuck.” A swashbuckling adventure with fantastically silly, richly textured illustrations that suit the story to a T.

It's a Book


Lane Smith - 2010
    This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.This title has Common Core connections.

The Gift


Carol Ann Duffy - 2010
    One summer day, she visits the woods with her mother and father. While her parents prepare the picnic, she seeks out buttercups and daisies for a flower necklace. As she does so, a wish forms in her mind--and to her surprise, a silver-haired woman appears, ready to grant it. Carol Ann Duffy's story of a girl's journey through life, and the desires that shape it, will speak to everyone who wonders about the mysteries that lie at the heart of human experience.

Uni the Unicorn


Amy Krouse Rosenthal - 2014
    Somewhere there must be a smart, strong, wonderful, magical little girl waiting to be best friends. In fact, far away (but not too far), a real little girl believes there is a unicorn waiting for her. This refreshing and sweet story of friendship reminds believers and nonbelievers alike that sometimes wishes really can come true.

A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story


Berkeley Breathed - 1991
    Opus the penguin makes a Christmas wish that he might fly.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore


William Joyce - 2011
    He loved stories.He loved books.But every story has its upsets.Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds.     But the power of story will save the day.

The Shrinking of Treehorn


Florence Parry Heide - 1971
    He really was shrinking.Hilarious complications result as he becomes more minuscule by the moment. Treehorn is a bit downhearted when his teacher says, "we don't shrink in this class," and sends him to the principal. Poor Treehorn spends an unhappy day and night until he discovers a magical game that restores him to his natural size. This is a great relief to Treehorn before he notices that he is turning faintly green. . . .An ALA Notable Book

Wallpaper


Thao Lam - 2018
    It tells the story of a young girl whose family moves into a new house. Outside, she can hear other kids playing, but she’s too shy to say hello. So she picks at the old wallpaper in her room―revealing an entryway to a fantastic imaginary adventure world behind the walls.

Bearded: A Very Hairy Children's Book


Jeremy Billups - 2015
     How long is this bear's beard? Are there really other animals with beards? And what exactly is this bear keeping tucked away in his beard? This picture book about kindness is perfect as a children's bedtime story and for fans of humorous books that encourage imagination and play.

The X-Files: Earth Children are Weird


Jason Rekulak - 2017
    But the night is full of strange sounds, lights, and shadows. Surely there’s a rational, scientific explanation for everything . . . or is there? With beautiful illustrations of pint-sized Dana and Fox, this humorous and not-scary-at-all story will introduce the cult TV show to an entire new generation of fans.

Cinderella Skeleton


Robert D. San Souci - 2000
    But when Prince Charnel hosts his famous Halloween Ball, Cindy finally gets her chance to shine. With the help of a good witch, Cinderella Skeleton is transformed into the belle of the ball and steals the prince's heart. Then just as the sun peeks over the horizon, she must dash away! Will Prince Charnel ever find his true love again?Master storyteller Robert D. San Souci and award-winning illustrator David Catrow have dreamed up a hilarious fractured fairy tale about the most dreadful darling you've ever seen.

The Princess Who Had No Kingdom


Ursula Jones - 2009
    But what is a kingdom without love?