Once upon a time there was a Nothing.

In this Nothing there was NOTHING.

There weren’t dragons, witches, elves, astronauts, policemen, sharks, or little mice...

So begins Gyula Gábor Tóth’s book of whimsical stories that whisks readers away to lands of paradox and play: to a place where anything can happen, one where everything exists all at once, and another where nothing exists at all. “What else do you think wasn’t in this Nothing?”

Fantastical and full of wit, these short fable-like tales prompt children to reflect on the unfamiliar features of the seemingly familiar world around us.

Norbert Nagy, one of the most prominent Hungarian graphic artists, sets dramatic moments from Tóth’s text against a surreal, often humorous illustrated landscape, creating a stunning visual world for this award-winning book.

Gyula Gebor Toth's profile page

Norbert Nagy's profile page

Adam Z. Levy's profile page

Gyula Gábor Tóthis the author ofStory of the Everything, the Nothing, and Other Strange Stories, which was a 2022 White Ravens selection. He is also creative director of an environmental communications organization, and lives in Canada. Norbert Nagy is a graphic designer, born in Budapest in 1974. His work often employs a mix of work by hand and digital techniques. Adam Z. Levyis the publisher of Transit Books, an independent publishing house with a focus on international literature, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also the translator ofThe Book of Mordechaiby Gábor Schein.

"A surreal trip to the unknown, full of possibilities and nothingness . . . This unique picture book challenges young readers to think outside the box and ponder the nature of the world we live in as well as the limitless opportunities of the worlds we don’t." —Kirkus Reviews

"Comprising 18 tales, this sprightly short story collection by Hungarian author Tóth feels intent on stretching minds...[offering] opportunities to imagine opinionated erasers and doors that open to unpredictable places."—Publishers Weekly

"Story of the Everything, the Nothing, and Other Strange Stories is a charming and memorable collection of illustrated tales about people and animals in extraordinary situations."—Foreword Reviews

“The most beautiful collection of nonsense I’ve ever read. I’d like to think that, if Shel Silverstein were still with us today, he’d approve.”—Mary Garcia, River Bend Bookshop (West Hartford, CT)