The adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, come to life in this inspiring picture book biography.
What if you wrote a story about a detective, and he became the most famous detective ever? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Or . . . would it? Arthur has always loved stories. Even as he grew up poor, endured hardships at school and experienced danger on the high seas, Arthur was always thrilled and inspired by stories. Eventually, he writes his own, and after many years of struggle as a writer, he finally finds success with a series of mystery stories starring his genius detective, Sherlock Holmes. But is it possible for a character to become too successful? Too popular? And if that happens to Arthur, will he really throw his greatest literary creation . . . over a cliff?!
From the author of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein comes a riveting and humorous picture book about the incredible life of Arthur Conan Doyle: doctor, adventurer, tireless campaigner for justice . . . and creator of the world’s most famous detective!
SELECTION
| 2023 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
FINALIST
| 2023 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
SHORTLIST
| 2023 Chocolate Lily Award
"Bailey . . . writes with a sure sense of her audience. . . . Follath's droll illustrations capture the look of the Victorian era, the drama of Doyle’s imagination, and the dry wit of Bailey’s text. A lively, memorable biography." —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
"[A] lavish testament to the life of Arthur Conan Doyle. . . . This book will surely inspire wonder, breathe new life and cement conviction into minds doubting the power of their own curiosity and imagination." —STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire
"[P]recise, detailed watercolor, pencil, and digital illustrations provide a lot to pore over. . . . An informative biography for an older picture-book audience." —Kirkus Reviews
"Bailey’s homage to the iconic Sherlock Holmes, once called 'the world’s most famous man who never was,' and his incredibly talented creator is sure to please fans of the books and just might entice new ones." —CM Reviews
"Linda Bailey [makes] Arthur the star of his story. . . . Young readers may learn a little bit more about Sherlock Holmes, but they will most definitely learn loads about Arthur Conan Doyle and understand better how he became the man who wrote Sherlock." —CanLit for Little Canadians
"Linda Bailey and Isabelle Follath . . . devise a rational, beautiful, and entertaining introduction to the inventor of one of literature's greatest sleuths. . . . Whatever the goals of the children in your life, Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock encourages them to both dream and pursue what they love." —Imaginary Elevators
The adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, come to life in this inspiring picture book biography.
What if you wrote a story about a detective, and he became the most famous detective ever? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Or . . . would it? Arthur has always loved stories. Even as he grew up poor, endured hardships at school and experienced danger on the high seas, Arthur was always thrilled and inspired by stories. Eventually, he writes his own, and after many years of struggle as a writer, he finally finds success with a series of mystery stories starring his genius detective, Sherlock Holmes. But is it possible for a character to become too successful? Too popular? And if that happens to Arthur, will he really throw his greatest literary creation . . . over a cliff?!
From the author of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein comes a riveting and humorous picture book about the incredible life of Arthur Conan Doyle: doctor, adventurer, tireless campaigner for justice . . . and creator of the world’s most famous detective!
Awards
SELECTION
| 2023 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
FINALIST
| 2023 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
SHORTLIST
| 2023 Chocolate Lily Award
Praise
"Bailey . . . writes with a sure sense of her audience. . . . Follath's droll illustrations capture the look of the Victorian era, the drama of Doyle’s imagination, and the dry wit of Bailey’s text. A lively, memorable biography." —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
"[A] lavish testament to the life of Arthur Conan Doyle. . . . This book will surely inspire wonder, breathe new life and cement conviction into minds doubting the power of their own curiosity and imagination." —STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire
"[P]recise, detailed watercolor, pencil, and digital illustrations provide a lot to pore over. . . . An informative biography for an older picture-book audience." —Kirkus Reviews
"Bailey’s homage to the iconic Sherlock Holmes, once called 'the world’s most famous man who never was,' and his incredibly talented creator is sure to please fans of the books and just might entice new ones." —CM Reviews
"Linda Bailey [makes] Arthur the star of his story. . . . Young readers may learn a little bit more about Sherlock Holmes, but they will most definitely learn loads about Arthur Conan Doyle and understand better how he became the man who wrote Sherlock." —CanLit for Little Canadians
"Linda Bailey and Isabelle Follath . . . devise a rational, beautiful, and entertaining introduction to the inventor of one of literature's greatest sleuths. . . . Whatever the goals of the children in your life, Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock encourages them to both dream and pursue what they love." —Imaginary Elevators
