Cautionary Tales for Children by Hilaire Belloc, with illustrations by Edward Gorey, is a darkly humorous and satirical collection of moralistic poems that parody Victorian-era children’s literature. First published in 1907, Belloc’s verses deliver exaggerated, grimly comedic lessons about misbehaving youngsters who meet absurdly dire fates—such as Jim, who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion, or Matilda, who told lies and was burned to death.
Edward Gorey’s 2002 edition illustrations amplify the macabre wit with his signature crosshatched pen-and-ink drawings, blending gothic whimsy with deadpan morbidity. Gorey’s aesthetic—reminiscent of 19th-century engravings—perfectly complements Belloc’s mock-serious tone, turning each cautionary tale into a deliciously sinister delight.
A masterpiece of subversive children’s literature (though more cherished by adults), this collaboration between Belloc and Gorey transforms moralizing into a gleefully grim comedy of errors. Ideal for fans of Roald Dahl’s The Twits or Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies.
