Just So Stories

Transit Children’s Editions

New South Books

Illustrated by Edward Gorey, author Muriel Spark

9798893380262/ February 2026/AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

From the archives: Illustrator Edward Gorey

Collection of Macabre Author and Illustrator Edward Gorey Item

Well I knew Muriel Spark wrote The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and I certainly knew the name of Edward Gorey, – the Granddaddy of Goth – as both an artist/illustrator and a Tony award winner (costume design but also nominated for scenery designs) but I had never seen or even heard of this quirky book.

First published in 1968 and now in a new edition, presumably/possibly timed for Gorey’s centenary last year. Gorey is so reknowned for his detailed drawings which are often on the strange, even macabre side and this book certainly demonstrates that aspect.

The narrative is odd and while it is a story of sorts, it’s hard to comprehend that young children might relate to it. Essentially, it’s about a clock called Ticky, who was bought by a Professor. They are good friends – yes, I know! and the Professor’s professorish friends all regard Ticky as a friend as well. So much so that they propose to make Ticky a professor too. But Ticky demurs on account of the fact that all the clocks in the house talk to each after lights out and what would they think if he was Professor Ticky? especially that cute little mother-of-pearl number in the spare room who constantly calls his name, ‘Ticky… Ticky…’.

It would certainly be a book I would include in my Sophisticated Picture Book unit I used with older kiddos [find the list on the Freebies page] if only to make comparisons on how much picture books have evolved over the past fifty plus years. In one sense, this one wasn’t much different in earlier books and most definitely the breadth and scope of our contemporary picture books make a startling contrast. I can certainly appreciate the artwork and your art students will also enjoy seeing some of Gorey’s work, but the story I just find rather strange and lacking in real direction. It’s a 3 ⏰⏰⏰rating from me.