More Adventures of Rupert: The Daily Express Annual no. 18 - 1953

by Alfred Bestall (Illustrator )

119 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Alfred Edmeades "Fred" Bestall, MBE (died in Porthmadog, Wales), was the author and illustrator of Rupert Bear for the London Daily Express, from 1935 to 1965.

Bestall produced his last Rupert story on 22 July 1965. He retired from the Daily Express in July 1965, but continued creating Annual publication covers until 1973.

Bestall also drew illustrations for the Whitcombe's Story Book, a form of children's reader published in Australasia by Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. These books were undated; but Bestall's work appears in the 500 numbers, possibly published in the 1950s.

Bestall died on 15 January 1986, aged 93, at Wern Manor Nursing Home in Porthmadog, Wales.[1] He is buried in plot 100 of Brookwood Cemetery.

Reviews

[Tweety · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love Rupert. This one in particular had everything I could possibly want in a Rupert book.

Rupert and Miranda

In this one we have a mischievous doll named Miranda. She has been given to a girl named Jennifer. But Miranda doesn't want to belong to a poor village girl who lives in a cottage, she wants to be owned by a princess and live in a castle. Rupert and a clown work to teach this doll a lesson, and everyone else at the same time. What I noticed about this story was that it was pushing being content with what you have, and obedience. Who'd have thought I'd get that from a Rupert Annual?

Rupert and the Green Buzzer

This was a pleasant tale of a strange Green Buzzer, a glorified stinging fly, basically. With Rupert's pals ever about they come up with an ingenious way of catching this odd creature and taking it back where it belongs.

Rupert and the Cannibals

You just HAVE to to see the picture that go along with this story. In my last review on Rupert, I said I didn't know why Gollywogs are viewed as politically incorrect. After reading this story, I can see why. I about died laughing at how the cannibals were viewed. Rupert and his friend just SAW the savages (who happened to be black), and immediately thought they were cannibals. Worse,the pictures of them make them look like Gollywogs, with big red lips, sticky-up hair and round white eyes. If you would find this bit of history offensive or feel it would ruin the story skip it and don't read the rest of this blurb.

Rupert and friends start out playing a friendly game of cricket, but after only the first hit things spiral out of control and before you know it we end up with Rupert and Algy the pug (Algernon) on a ship bound for goodness knows where. Pretty soon though we end up in cannibal land.

Despite the politically incorrectness of this story I really liked it, and I think it was the most exciting of all of them in this book.

Rupert and the Missing Pieces

I really liked this one! It was so different from the others! We have missing papers, a neat "ball of paper" (which they give you instructions on how to make after the story), and a flying machine. Rupert may not have left Nuttwood in this one, but he had such an adventure! Loved it.

Rupert in Mysteryland
This one had Rupert inviting his friends over for a magic show which went all wrong. Since I skipped it, I can't tell you any more.

Rupert at Rocky Bay

This was an amusing adventure were Rupert and his Dad went to the seaside and unwittingly brought 'Ratus with them. They spend a pleasant day at the beach and find an unusual man collecting fish, who later saves Ratus' from his grandfather's wrath at his running off. But they also find something else...

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a couple of these books one time when I was sick. They kept me occupied and enthralled for the duration.