Gris Grimly's Muddy Spud

"Little Jordan Ray's Muddy Spud" delivers exactly what the title promises: an imaginative bizarre concoction of storytelling and illustration that brings little Jordan Ray and the other characters of Gris Grimly's world to life. Written in verse, his work has an elegance and sophistication lacking in many children's books, while still enticing the reader with his macabre sense of humor. He has the ability to challenge children verbally while drawing the child into his often gruesome world.

I was fortunate enough to meet Grimly at his art opening in Soho last weekend. His art work is reason enough to want this book, however after purchasing it and having him sign it (I had only previously seen his art), I was very happy to learn that the stories that tie his work together are as wonderful as the images he produces.

We follow Little Jordan Ray through a world filled with nymphs, mad hares, and other characters that are both frightening and inviting. Much in the tradition of Jack and the Bean Stalk, we are watching this child go off on his own to sell his family's possessions to help with their financial woes. Grimly does a wonderful job of meshing traditional storytelling with a more contemporary vibe that allows the new generations to relate and enjoy the challenging and engaging material.