I’ve mentioned before, I think, that I lived in England for two years when I was little. I have a small collection of books from that time, the Little Grey Rabbit books, by Alison Uttley. When I opened one this week, the inscription reminded me of a very special birthday party my mum put on for me when we were living in England. The inscription is from my aunty Jenny, and reads:
To Katie, Happy Grey Rabbit Party Day. Love Jen.
Alison Uttley wrote over 100 books, including the Little Grey Rabbit series, Sam Pig books and a novel, A Traveller in Time. For her era – born in 1884 – she was clearly lucky to be able to get an education that matched her intellect. She progressed to Manchester University, where she got a scholarship to study physics – and became the second woman to graduate with honours.
I also learnt that Uttley’s writing career came about when she began writing to support herself (and her son) after her husband died in 1930 from deteriorating health complications due to the First World War.
Each of the little books tells a short story about one of the characters in Little Grey Rabbit’s world – there is the gentle and endearing Little Grey Rabbit, cheeky Hare who often thinks of his stomach first, and the slightly vain but helpful Squirrel. There is a lovely tenderness in the characters that Uttley creates, and the stories convey a certain time and place: a time when gipsies came to call, when clothes were washed in a tub, and children paid a penny to go to school each day.
The soft watercolour illustrations by Margaret Tempest, reproduced in full colour on every page, are integral to the loveliness of this series – with coordinating borders and in various shapes, they seem like a peephole to the world described by Uttley.
Alison Uttley died in 1976, but – judging by my party’s theme – clearly her Little Grey Rabbit books were still popular in the 80s. It also appears that velvet party dresses were in vogue that year…
I remember loving our hats – made by mum – each one denoting a different character. No surprise, look who got to play Little Grey Rabbit! And from the background of the photo above, it looks like we played ‘Pin the tail on Grey Rabbit’.
Even my cake has a scene with rabbits… Mum did a great birthday party.
I owned a Grey Rabbit book, was it called Little Grey Rabbit’s Birthday?
What I do remember is that one of the characters was having a party and they wrote RSVP on the invitations. For many years after, I assumed it really did mean “Rat Shan’t Visit Party”!
What fantastic birthday party hats! Let’s return to the make-your-own birthday-party ethic.
There are more than genes passed down from one generation to another!
student and, as not a great reader of ‘thick books’, it was a bit of a challenge, but the historical aspect hooked me – for me much better than the more famous, The Time Machine by HG Wells.
My introduction to Little Grey Rabbit came from my English grandmother, Marty(mentioned in my last response), who gave me a copy of Grey Rabbit and the Wandering Hedgehog. [And the game by the way was not pin-the-tail on Grey Rabbit, but pin-something (forgotten what but a gift from Grey Rabbit) on the Wandering Hedgehog].
I am intrigued to learn that Alison Uttley wrote so many books – will have to look up what else she wrote. I do remember A Traveller in Time – ‘forced’ on me as a Form 2 (Year
But to be truthful, although I did like the Grey Rabbit stories, it was Margaret Tempest’s illustrations that really had the lasting impression and ensured that I passed on this little literary and illustrative gem.
I was introduced to the Little Grey Rabbit series when teaching in a private school. I have especially loved “Squirrel Goes Skating” with “The Knot Squirrel Tied” to be read immediately following. Is there another book to follow up on Rat’s repentance?
Alison Utley’s use of the English language, along with terms that must be explained to my very American grandchildren, is extraordinary. I love to read and comment to them as we read about the choices and character of the animals with human behaviors.
Any insights?
Thank you,
Ann
Hi there, I also have the Little Grey Rabbit card game, but have no idea how to play it? Does anyone know the rules please…??? My daughter and I would be very grateful! x