2012 First Edition of Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind by Gary Ross, artist Matthew Myers - Hardcover with Dust Jacket

Title: Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind
Author: Gary Ross
Illustrator/Artist: Matthew Myers
Genre: Children's Verse Fantasy / Whimsical Adventure Fiction / Magic Realism Picture Book
Edition: True First Edition, First Printing (2012)
Publisher: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts

"It was a cold, bitter wind, and it blew...and it blew... It blew through the trees and the little town, too."

Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind is a beautifully crafted, whimsical children's adventure written in lyrical verse. The story centers on Bartholomew Biddle, a young boy whose life has always been perfectly ordinary. One dark night, a fierce, cold wind rattles his bedroom window, whispering an irresistible call to adventure. Seizing the moment, Bart grabs his bedsheet, steps into the night air, and catches a ride on the thermal currents. Soaring high above his quiet town, his aerial journey takes him to an island teeming with pleasure-seeking pirates, a highly regimented, very gray prep school, and finally, into a mysterious, silent cove where the wind stops blowing completely. Stranded far from home, Bart must find a way to navigate a world without wind or accept that his soaring, gravity-defying flying days are permanently over.

Stunning, richly textured full-color oil illustrations evoke a timeless, nostalgic Americana charm. Ross’s rolling, melodic poetry perfectly matches the visual rhythm of the pages, making this an excellent read-aloud volume for families and an essential crossover acquisition for collectors of modern fairy tales.

Gary Ross (1956 – Present): An acclaimed four-time Academy Award-nominated American screenwriter, director, and producer who made his children's literary debut with this volume. Ross is celebrated for writing and directing iconic American films including Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, and Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games. He also co-wrote the beloved fantasy-comedy Big and the screenplay for the animated feature The Tale of Despereaux. Known for his exceptional ability to handle themes of personal agency, structural conformity, and the innocence of youth, Ross brings his mastery of visual storytelling, narrative pacing, and cinematic wonder directly onto the printed page.

Matthew Myers: American children’s book illustrator and painter known for his expressive characters, rich textures, and cinematic use of light. Myers works primarily in traditional oil paints, giving his illustrations a classical, painterly depth that stands out in the modern publishing landscape. His portfolio includes BB-8 On The Run, A Dog Named Doug, Clink, The Infamous Ratsos, and Tyrannosaurus Dad.

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Condition*: Near Fine/Near Fine. Dust jacket: Minor shelf wear.