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‘Peddy Bottom knew that he was Peddy Bottom, but men all thought there was something doggy about him, while dogs all thought there was something human about him.’
…and the saw-fishes think that Peddy looks like a nightingale, while the cats think he looks like a fish. To Peddy’s extreme annoyance, one cat tries to eat him; so Peddy determines to find the wisest person in the town, to clear up the mystery of who he is.
Thus begins The Adventures of Peddy Bottom: Stefan Themerson’s marvellous little fable of perception and identity. Like Lewis Carroll’s Alice books, this can be read as a story for children, but it works best as a satirical commentary on the foibles of human society.
We are pleased to present this special feature in co-operation with the Themerson Archive.
Bibliography 
A list of the various editions in which Peddy Bottom has appeared, including translations and theatrical adaptations. Cover images are provided for all of the print editions.
The Adventures of Peddy Bottom
Chapter the First
‘…all the men I met on my way think there is something doggy about me, and all the dogs think there is something human about me, and all the saw-fishes think there is something of a nightingale about me, and all the cats think there is something fishy about me, and one of them wanted to eat me, and I was very annoyed, and I would like to know who I am, Sir!’
Review Collage
Stefan Themerson’s own collage of reviews, which collects critical appraisals of Peddy Bottom from around the world.
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Date posted: 2007-06-01