author
Peter Newell
1862–1924
A playful pioneer of interactive children’s books, Peter Newell turned holes, slanted pages, and upside-down pictures into part of the story. His inventive works still feel surprisingly modern, blending humor, visual puzzles, and clever book design.
3 Audiobooks
About the author
Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell (1862–1924) was an American illustrator, cartoonist, poet, and children’s author. He began drawing humorous illustrations for periodicals before building a career with publications including Harper’s Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar, Scribner’s Magazine, and The Saturday Evening Post.
Newell wrote and illustrated imaginative books such as Topsys and Turvys (1893), The Hole Book (1908), The Slant Book (1910), and The Rocket Book (1912). These works made the physical shape and structure of the book part of the narrative, using upside-down images, unusual page shapes, and holes to create playful visual effects.
He also illustrated books by authors including Mark Twain, Stephen Crane, and Lewis Carroll. Known for his lively humor and inventive approach, Newell helped expand the possibilities of both cartooning and children’s book design.