Little Grey Rabbit's May Day

Tales of the Little Grey Rabbit #28

by Alison Uttley

Little Grey Rabbit is one of the classic gems of children's literature. The series is being relaunched, tying in with a new, beautifully animated television adaptation, and will delight children as much today as when it was first published seventy years ago. Late one night, just before May Day, Hare steals into the village and dances around the Maypole. He tells little Grey Rabbit and Squirrel excitedly all about it the next morning. "Oh, can we have a Maypole too?" begs Squirrel. Soon, all the woodland animals are preparing for the wonderful day, making garlands and crowns of spring flowers. But Wise Owl tells them that they need to have the most special flower of all, the Crown Imperial, for the sceptre. Who will be brave enough to go to the village to find one? AGE 4-8

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

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.

For more information, please see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_U...

http://www.answers.com/topic/alison-u...

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the latest Miranda Mills vlog, where she recommended several childhood favourites as spring reads. Amongst the vintage children's books she talked about a couple of the Little Grey Rabbit books. I looked through the ones I have, and though I didn't find the ones she spoke about, I did find this one so it seemed the perfect time to revisit it. In this one, Hare has to go and find some Crown Imperial lollies to finish off the crown of flowers the animals are making for their May Day celebration. Full of charm, fabulous illustrations, and Very nostalgic.

[Aaron Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second Little Grey Rabbit book I read, and although it took a second place to Pancake Day, it was still a complete delight. I was educated at home, and my parents were having a hard time finding reading material which was at my level, and still written in decent English so, Little Grey Rabbit to the Rescue. As an adult, I'm particularly impressed that Uttley was daring enough to write a children's book about a Pagan holiday. The May Carol was also particularly endearing. "May Day, we sing to the may, to the sun and the moon, and the Milky Way" I imagined high squeaky voices going sharp on "Wa-a-a-ay". My only dissapointment was that the doll featured in the story was never pictured.

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read for May 1st.