ME

by William Saroyan

Once upon a time there was only one word — me.
If you wanted to say here I am, you said — me.
It was the only word anyone ever heard!
But only people said me. Dogs said bark, bark, take me to the park; cats said purr, purr, I am the Queen be kind to her; cows said moo, moo, I am a cow, what are you? But slowly, change came, and in his first children's book, Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist William Saroyan spins a fanciful fable that speculates on how members of the human race actually started talking to each other. Recounted with catchy rhymes and a spirited simplicity, this story is illustrated with lively pictures that glow with the warmth of watercolors.
An internationally renowned writer, playwright, and humanitarian, William Saroyan wrote short stories, plays, novels, memoirs, and essays. His tale of Me is illustrated by Murray Tinkelman, whose art has appeared in Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other prominent publications. Their charming children's story has been out of print for decades but now returns to circulation in this vibrant new edition.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1963

About the author

William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.