Butterscotch Books. Printed in Belgium by Proost International Book Productions. First published in 1939. This arrangement-1988 edition. First printing (full number line). No markings or names inside or out. Contents clean, bright. Pictorial boards-match dj. Light pink endpapers. Book has light wrinkles to first few pages, else fine. Dj unclipped ($9.95). Dj has a few wrinkles-VG+. Story by Alison Uttley. Charming illustrations by Margaret Tempest.
Alison Uttley (17 December 1884 – 7 May 1976), née Alice Jane Taylor, was a prolific British writer of over 100 books. She is now best known for her children's series about Little Grey Rabbit, and Sam Pig.
What a lovely Christmas story, very reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows yet with it's own special flavour. Squirrel, Hare and Little Grey Rabbit all have distinctive memorable characters and I do love the name of Moldy Warp. And Uttley's descriptions are charming:
"The silver moon shone down on the white fields, making them glitter with a strange and beautiful light. The stars twinkled in the frosty air, and now and then a shooting star left a track of gold across the heavens."
I'm so grateful to have spent time with these little animals and their Christmastime in the woods!
As a child I was read Winnie the Pooh and Little Grey Rabbit - both of the 1930s and a world away. This was so sweet and gentle, unfathomable today for it’s lack of action I’d imagine. There is no heavy moralising but the character of little grey rabbit is so very kind and the fact that it ends with the most solitary creature giving a party or the unwanted rats giving delicately made thoughtful gifts says plenty. For my father the details around the seasons and country folklore was very evocative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Written in a simpler time, this gentle tale of three friends who share a sled and a home is perfect for the winter season. The joys of fresh snow and playing together are celebrated. When Christmas comes there is a community party. Generosity and companionship are celebrated. Beautifully illustrated, the images would look amazing framed.
As a family tradition we read this every Christmas. Charming nostalgia from an author who lived this life and remembered these traditions. Beautiful illustrations.
I don’t think you can go wrong really with Christmas, I liked this book more than the others really. I’m still not overly keen on the illustrations there too soft, not sharp enough
A sweet little Christmas book, that adults will enjoy while reading to little ones. Alison Uttley always writes beautiful books about adorable little animals and this one didn’t disappoint.