cover image Figures of Speech

Figures of Speech

Mervyn Peake. Candlewick Press (MA), $14 (64pp) ISBN 978-0-7636-2176-6

In another clever book of visual humor, Figures of Speech (1954) by Mervyn Peake, each spread features a drawing that represents a well-known turn of phrase (perhaps best suited to adults). A smiling gent carrying a bear on his back represents ""grin and bear it"" and a man submerging his heels in two water glasses is ""cooling his heels."" Colorful panels have been added to the original b&w original drawings.