author
Harold Gaze
A New Zealand-born creator of whimsical children's books, he paired lively storytelling with his own distinctive illustrations. His work moved through London, Australia, and later Southern California, giving his fantasy worlds a broad, imaginative feel.
1 Audiobook
Coppertop: The Queer Adventures of a Quaint Child
by Harold Gaze
About the author
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Harold Gaze was an author and illustrator best known for children's books filled with fairies, animals, and playful fantasy. Reliable sources agree that he studied art in London and built a career writing and illustrating his own stories.
After time in Australia, where several of his early children's books were published, he later settled in the United States. He is also associated with work for Disney Studios, which fits naturally with the dreamy, visual style seen in his books and artwork.
Gaze is remembered for combining words and pictures so seamlessly that his stories feel designed to be wandered through as much as read. For listeners and readers today, that blend of gentle adventure and rich imagery is still the special charm of his work.