I first came across Alison Uttley as a child. I remember having a little book called “Little Grey Rabbit’s Christmas”. It had a small, square, cover, grey with white dots of snow falling across the grey. And in the middle in a against a white oval was little grey rabbit with his blue coat. I loved that book. I loved the snow I think the most. I still love snow now really even though I don’t like driving in it. Anyway, that was my first introduction to Alison Uttley. Then later on I had Magic in my Pocket – a series of short stories, and later on still one of her books written for adults called A Country Childhood. I remember being slightly disappointed with this one but I first read it when quite a young teenager and I was probably still looking for the magic of the childhood stories rather than the more grown up descriptions of life in the country.
Now I have found her again. Well in fact John found her for me. He bought me a copy of Carts and Candlesticks from a secondhand bookshop in Cambridge and I was enthralled. The writing is simply beautiful. Wonderful descriptions of her parents house with the antique bits of furniture. And the big stone troughs that were used to collect water for animals as well as humans.
Now of course I have the internet so I was able to look her up and sure enough there were pages about her. She was from Derbyshire apparently and this page from Derbyshire people gives a succinct description and a picture of her. She wrote far more books than I had imagined but she was supporting her little boy so that strikes a chord with me too of course.
Whether its one of her children’s books or her adult books, do give her books a try. I’m sure you will enjoy her as much as I do. (And I purchased a new copy of Magic in my Pocket to read again – its on my bookshelf now!)
