Peter Newell

Born in rural Illinois in 1862, Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell became a well-known American illustrator, cartoonist, and writer whose work appeared in major magazines of the late 19th century. After moving to New York and studying at the Art Students League, he built a reputation for humorous drawings and verses that stood out for their lively line and offbeat wit.

He also illustrated classic children's books, including editions of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, and The Hunting of the Snark. Today he is especially remembered for his own novelty books such as The Hole Book, The Slant Book, and The Rocket Book, which cleverly used the physical shape of the page as part of the story.

Newell died in 1924, but his books still feel fresh because they are so playful and inventive. Long before experimental picture books became common, he was showing how design, storytelling, and comedy could all work together.