Donald and the

Donald #1

by Peter F. Neumeyer, Edward Gorey (Illustrator)

Each of Donald's experiences features a unique final twist, perhaps none more memorable than what happens in Donald and the to a little white worm that Donald finds and is allowed to keep in a jar. In this book, in print for the first time since 1969, Gorey's arch illustrations complement a wry tale that readers of all ages will find infectious.Author Bio: Peter F. Neumeyer is the author of many books for children and adults and a regular book reviewer for The Boston Globe and other publications. Edward Gorey illustrated nearly 100 books from 1953 until his death in 2000.

Genres: Fiction, Art, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Graphic Novels, Classics

47 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Chequers · Rating 3 out of 5]

La storia e' abbastanza semplice ma le illustrazioni di Gorey sono al tempo stesso meravigliose e spaventose

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approve. 👍🏽 On to see what happens when Donald has a difficulty.

P.S. I especially enjoyed the atmospheric “How It All Began” note in the back.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donald and the… is another book by Peter F. Neumeyer and Edward Gorey in which the grim style deployed in Gorey’s pictures functions to undermine readers’ expectations with regard to the conventions of representation typically employed in children’s books. Moreover, the story raises many questions that it does not answer. For instance, although Donald’s mother is an important character both in this book and in Donald Has a Difficulty, Donald’s father is not mentioned, nor is the reader told where he is. In one of the pictures, Donald is shown sitting on his bed working on a model of a building he has constructed from matches and glue. This suggests something of Donald’s capacity for imagination and planning, but also calls attention to the fact that Donald does not appear to own any toys—although the furniture (including the grotesque garbage can) imply that Donald and his mother are not poor, Donald is never shown with a toy car, a bicycle, even a stick and a hoop. Does this imply that Donald is living in the Victorian era, in which children were seen not as children, but as little adults? At the time Donald is building his model, he is in his bedroom because he has “painful ribs”; this is quite specific, and yet at the same time quite vague; what, exactly, is wrong with Donald? Perhaps the largest question the story raises is that of what happens after the narrative ends; events could go one of several ways, but Gorey and Neumeyer have left this last riddle for the reader to work out in his or her imagination.

Acquired Apr 3, 2010
City Lights Book Shop, London, Ontario

[Becki Tovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a beautiful object. It’s quite small, and in landscape orientation. I think the thick paper started off cream coloured but has turned white in the sun. My hardback copy from 2004 feels plump in the hands, and has been a book I’ve treasured since purchasing in my Emo teenage years when I had a particular liking for Decadent Victorian illustration like Aubrey Beardsley and Kay Nielsen, and watched a lot of Tim Burton.

I picked this off my shelf today, wanting to spend some time gently nurturing my inner child, on a difficult mental health day, and this was just the care I needed.

The illustrations are delicate and elaborate. Inside, each pen and ink illustration is a little artwork of its own. I’ve never seen such a glorious trash can or fabulous lettuce and Donald’s mother is indeed “as kind as she was beautiful,” with her fantastical headwear and dainty fingers and feet.

I adore Gorey’s use of pattern particularly in the bedspread and tablecloth where the folds of the fabric are rendered so skilfully. The two characters are left as line drawings so they balance nicely with the darker objects adorning the scenes, creating very pleasing compositions.

The story itself by Peter F. Neumeyer is lovely, and the two creatives complement each other with Gorey’s visuals fleshing out the simple text. There’s never more than 30 words to a page, but it works as either a children’s story, an adult comic or art object.

I don’t know how this would land with real children: perhaps they might find it old fashioned or twee. However, my inner child loved it. Her high praise might be the main influence of this review.

The font choice is elegant, easy to read and recognisably Gorey. The book is consistent with text on the left and illustration (in a border) on the right. In my work, the style and placement of text often comes as an afterthought for me, and this is a reminder to be considerate of that.

The book has great flow, with a smart use of repetition to build suspense and subverting reader expectations for the punchline. A simple change of frame in the last part of the book also adds a different perspective, so as an adult totally forgetting the story, I enjoyed the surprise.

I have always admired Gorey and it’s so nice to be reminded of that. This feels like a timeless book that I will enjoy in different ways at different stages of life. Today I felt an appreciation for the simple beauty in life. I will proudly keep this on my shelf to return to again year after year.

.

Book 48 of 2026.
I am reading and reviewing over 100 books in 2026 to improve my artistic practice and work towards publishing my own book.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this one because of it's weirdness both Neumeyer and Gorey brings. Both are minimalist (text and illustration) which gives you that vintage feel. What supposed to be a predictable surprise turns into a very weird ending.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the art, the story is meh….

[Soeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Them be hallucinating

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my! Lol! That ending! Reading the summary (which luckily I hadn’t) would ruin the surprise.

[MK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donald's imagination is amazing. His mother was always kind.

[Brandy Shark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and I was surprised by the ending :D

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining little tale with a great title and wonderfully illustrated by the simply superb Edward Gorey.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey & Peter F. Neumeyer goes into so much detail about all of the conversations behind the creation of the Donald books that I just had to pick up my own copies of Donald And The... / Donald Has A Difficulty, and they are both such treasures. Any excuse to pore over Edward Gorey's marvelous illustrations, and the quirky stories by Neumeyer are just an added bonus.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Gorey's work is always delightful, and this little book is no different. Donald's misadventures buoy him through a dull, quiet, upper-class life, and this installment presents us with tales of metamorphosis. Charming!

[Susan Greve · Rating 4 out of 5]

given to me by something special. en lieu with Colette. children are heartbreakingly wonderful. it is powerful to remember that I have an imagination and it is just as legit as this (so called) reality.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisted little story about the small white worm Donald finds at the bottom of the trash can, illustrated by the inimitable Gorey.

[Selenita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually cackled out loud at the end. This now rivals "The Doubtful Guest" as my favorite Edward Gorey book.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, wicked little "children's" book. It's what I expected Gorey would have illustrated.