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The Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children

Matthew Rumbelow (Goodreads Author),

Deborah Panesar (Illustrator)

it was amazing 5.00 · Rating details · 14 ratings · 12 reviews

The Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children is an illustrated collection of 26 modern-day cautionary tales, inspired by Hilaire Belloc and Edward Gorey. These darkly humorous tales relate the tragic fate of children who all foolishly ignore their parents’ sage advice, often with terrible consequences.

The book takes the alphabetic structure of Gorey’s ‘Gashlycrumb Tinies’, a The Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children is an illustrated collection of 26 modern-day cautionary tales, inspired by Hilaire Belloc and Edward Gorey. These darkly humorous tales relate the tragic fate of children who all foolishly ignore their parents’ sage advice, often with terrible consequences.

The book takes the alphabetic structure of Gorey’s ‘Gashlycrumb Tinies’, a slim ‘ABC’ or abecedarian written in 1963. In his book, each letter of the alphabet documents the gruesome demise of twenty six children, starting with Amy who fell down the stairs, and ending with Zilla, who drank too much gin. Each letter is accompanied by a macabre pen-and-ink drawing showing the unfortunate child’s final moments.

I had just finished reciting the Gashleycrumb Tinies to a friend’s wide-eyed seven year old one day in early 2017, (I committed it to memory many years ago), when the idea popped into my head to write my own backstory for each of the twenty-six children, at the same time creating a series of modern-day cautionary tales written in Belloc’s rhyming couplet style. I started writing almost immediately, and before I knew it, The Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children was born!

As anyone who knows the Gashlycrumb Tinies will note, not all of my tales match the original modus operandi of each child’s downfall. Although I wanted to write a pastiche that was largely faithful to the original, I also wanted to introduce situations and themes that would be relevant and recognisable for a 21st century audience.

It will quickly be apparent that this is not a children’s book in the traditional sense. Stories involving suffocation, poisoning, mauling and road traffic accidents do not happily fall within the fluffy rabbit / affable giant genre. However, I believe that a darker, more adult type of children’s fiction will appeal not only to the world-wise older child, but also to their long-suffering and slightly cynical parents for whom parenthood is not an endless source of joy and fulfilment.

I hope you agree.

Matthew Rumbelow, June 2020 ...more

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Hardcover, 80 pages

Published December 2020 by Rumbers Media

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Dec 17, 2020 Amy Alice rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020

A beautiful, creepy and clever book. A work of art (well done Deborah) and such deftly woven rhymes. Something to pass down for generations.

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Dec 14, 2020 David Romanis rated it it was amazing

I eagerly anticipated this book’s arrival and wasn’t disappointed. It’s a collection of cleverly-written rhyming story-poems based on the Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey, beautifully presented in this hardback book with superb illustrations. The author’s use of the English language has you sometimes reaching for a dictionary (or thumbing through the handy glossary at the back) but regardless leaves you highly amused and feeling better educated as a result. While the stories invariably have a ...more

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Jan 08, 2021 Shalini Ayre rated it it was amazing

A collection of lyrical stories about children that through their hobbies, interests or fears, often tend to meet a rather unfortunate end.

Each child's first name, as the title of the book suggests, begins with a letter from the alphabet accompanied with unusual surnames. You'll meet a Leo Prickleton-Patch, a Clara Poppleton-Brown and a Yorick Sticklewick but to name a few. Each child/young adult have their passions or anxieties - rats, volcanoes and even Harry Potter - that will ultimately lea A collection of lyrical stories about children that through their hobbies, interests or fears, often tend to meet a rather unfortunate end.

Each child's first name, as the title of the book suggests, begins with a letter from the alphabet accompanied with unusual surnames. You'll meet a Leo Prickleton-Patch, a Clara Poppleton-Brown and a Yorick Sticklewick but to name a few. Each child/young adult have their passions or anxieties - rats, volcanoes and even Harry Potter - that will ultimately lead to a disaster or death!

Easily read from A to Z, the reader can also throw conformity out of the window and randomly select a story to start. Either way, these tales won't disappoint.

The author, whilst giving reverence to Edward Gorey's Gashlycrumb Tinies and Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales for Children, has created his own compilation of narratives that are a backstory to Gorey's children. However, they have been updated to reflect today's child - use of a smartphone, global warming, designer labels - yet still have that gothic air to them.

Rumbelow's verses are clever and filled with so much imagery. His choice of lesser known or less used words has meant the need for a glossary. However, the use of these words such as profligate, abstemious or lagomorph, adds to the sumptuous story telling which has been written in rhyming verse too!

The accompanying illustrations are outstanding and well thought out. Deborah Panesar has captured the essence of each child's perilous situation perfectly to enhance each story. Colors are subtle and have a slight old-world feel/look to them, which meant that it didn't quite tie in with the modern tales being told but it's a minor issue (and subjective).

Overall, Matthew Rumbelow's debut into the world of children literature is off to a phenomenal start. Like an updated Aesop's Fables, the Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children is a collection of humorous, chilling often grisly exploits that end with a cautionary note. Had these children not died, surely they would have learnt their lesson? Thankfully, not all meet their maker, but they are left somewhat battered and bruised. And, whilst aimed at children, I'd hesitate to read them to a child with a sensitive nature as some of the stories are somewhat gruesome. Regardless, a highly recommended read. ...more

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Jan 24, 2021 Lisa Clare rated it it was amazing

I am Caris and I am 9 years old. This was a great and really fascinating book but i think it is for kids over the age of 6 as it quite dark but in a very funny way. There are many words in the book that most kids will not understand but thanks to the author, there is a helpful dictionary at the back of the book. It is a great bedtime book as the poems are exciting and give you ideas for dreams. My favourite stories are Basil Bennett which is all about a boy who really believes in fairy tales and ...more

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Dec 15, 2020 Lisa rated it it was amazing

I love this book! Bought two, one for my son and one to give as a gift. Beautifully written. This is one of those books that will be treasured by families and handed down to the next generation. Lovely to read together with younger children and perfect for young teens - morality, exciting vocabulary and modern living all included in the pages! The author gives an honest description of the book and if you are considering a purchase, do not hesitate, you will not be disappointed!

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Dec 31, 2020 Hayley Lancaster rated it it was amazing

This book is simply amazing! Such witty and smart rhymes, the verses flow off the tongue with such ease. A handy glossary for those unusual words which broaden the vocabulary for reader and child. I truly believe that these will be cautionary tales that the children will remember for years to come. If you love a book that flows with clever badinage and you and your child have a sense of dark humor this is the book for you. It's a firm bedtime favourite in our house, which may say a lot about our ...more

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Dec 14, 2020 Deborah Panesar rated it it was amazing

Very biased because I illustrated it but Matthew is truly so talented!

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Jan 12, 2021 S Walsh rated it it was amazing

Magical read with my sons 10 and 12 - who love the sometime gruesome endings! Each tale rollicks along with a satisfying metre and makes for entertaining words to chew your chops around. The vocab is scattered with a refreshingly advanced and colourful lexicon - and there is a helpful glossary as well. A great read, and I'm sure we'll re-read many times. ...more

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Jan 05, 2021 Birgit Scott rated it it was amazing

Beautifully presented, written and illustrated. A true delight to own and read.

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Feb 08, 2021 James rated it it was amazing

Having seen the previews and build up to this online, we discovered it had been published and brought a copy.
We were not disappointed!
Each story has a unique message and is wonderfully written. The descriptions within really help bring the stories to life.
The book itself is wonderful to hold with great illustrations supporting the stories themselves.
Although a bit young currently for our 2 month old, she loves them being read to her, this due to excellent way each one has natural rhythms and ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 B L DIBBLE rated it it was amazing

This quickly became a firm favourite evening read the whole family enjoyed, both young and old. It made us guess what on earth would happen to the next poor alphabetical child! It's funny, quirky, unexpected twists and beautifully illustrated from the front cover to the back page (self-endorsed!) reviews. ...more

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About Matthew Rumbelow

Matthew Rumbelow

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I was born in 1973, and grew up in Gretton, a smallish village in north Northamptonshire. As the youngest of four by a sizeable margin, I was generally left to my own devices. From memory, I spent most of my time roaming the countryside, playing computer games or making Airfix kits.
After the usual treadmill of school, exams and university, I moved to London to train as a solicitor; a career that ...more