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Old Misery

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Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, “ain’t got two pennies to rub together.” And the one thing of value she does have -a tree, filled with good eating apples – is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, “There’s but one wish for me, mister, and it’s this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it until I decide to let them go!” At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!#Taking his inspiration from one of the world’s oldest folktales, author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto’s two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.

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Description

Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, “ain’t got two pennies to rub together.” And the one thing of value she does have -a tree, filled with good eating apples – is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, “There’s but one wish for me, mister, and it’s this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it until I decide to let them go!” At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!#Taking his inspiration from one of the world’s oldest folktales, author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto’s two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.

Additional information

Dimensions N/A
Cover

Hardcover, eBook

Educational resources

Curriculum

HumorPicture Books

Reading Levels

    lexile level
  • 730L

  • guided reading
  • Q

  • guided reading grade level
  • 4

AWARDS & REVIEWS

Reviews

"The casket shape of this weird little ditty provides plenty of room for the bizarrely expansive interiors of Old Misery’s home, within which Ayto’s Goreyesque figures posture."

Booklist, 01/03/2018

"Shelve this bonbon with Edward Gorey."

Kirkus Reviews, 20/02/2018

"... packs a hefty intellectual, verbal, visual, and humorous punch!"

CM Magazine, 06/06/2018

"The Lemony Snicket doomsday style of writing has an old fashioned feel ..."

School Library Connection, 09/10/2018

"Readers who enjoy the unsettling nature of Edward Gorey stories will see similarities with this book in both the art and the themes."

Resource Links, 29/10/2018

Awards

  • 2018 - Best Books for Kids, New York Public Library, Winner

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