The Little Grey Men
Encyclopedia
The Little Grey Men is a children's novel by Denys Watkins-Pitchford
, written under the nom de plume “BB” and illustrated by the author. It was first published in 1942 and has been frequently republished. It tells the exploits of four gnome
s, named after the flowers Baldmoney, Sneezewort
, Dodder and Cloudberry
. A sequel, Down the Bright Stream, was published in 1948.
The Little Grey Men won BB the 1942 Carnegie Medal in Literature.
In 1975 The Little Grey Men was adapted for television.
live the last four gnomes in Great Britain, Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry. One day Cloudberry decides to go exploring and fails to return. The remaining three make the tremendous decision to build a boat and set out to find him. This is the story of the gnomes' epic journey, set against the background of the English countryside, beginning in spring, continuing through summer, and concluding in autumn, when the first frosts are starting to arrive.
committee for realism over fantasy, and the book received the award for the most outstanding children's book of 1942.
in the U.K.
Denys Watkins-Pitchford
Denys James Watkins-Pitchford MBE was a British naturalist, children's writer, and illustrator who wrote under the pseudonym "BB".-Early life:...
, written under the nom de plume “BB” and illustrated by the author. It was first published in 1942 and has been frequently republished. It tells the exploits of four gnome
Gnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
s, named after the flowers Baldmoney, Sneezewort
Sneezewort
Achillea ptarmica is a species in the genus Achillea. It has loose clusters of white, button-like flowers that bloom from June to August...
, Dodder and Cloudberry
Cloudberry
Rubus chamaemorus is a rhizomatous herb native to alpine and arctic tundra and boreal forest, producing amber-colored edible fruit similar to the raspberry or blackberry...
. A sequel, Down the Bright Stream, was published in 1948.
The Little Grey Men won BB the 1942 Carnegie Medal in Literature.
In 1975 The Little Grey Men was adapted for television.
Plot summary
Beside Folly Brook in WarwickshireWarwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
live the last four gnomes in Great Britain, Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry. One day Cloudberry decides to go exploring and fails to return. The remaining three make the tremendous decision to build a boat and set out to find him. This is the story of the gnomes' epic journey, set against the background of the English countryside, beginning in spring, continuing through summer, and concluding in autumn, when the first frosts are starting to arrive.
Literary significance and reception
This novel has been described as the most distinguished fantasy of the war years, a fantasy which sought to capture the beauty and wonder of an English year, a timely and timeless book. Through the choice of gnomes for the protagonists, the author was able to get closer to nature and show more effectively the hazards wild creatures face. The authenticity of the natural history satisfied the preference of the CarnegieCarnegie Medal
The Carnegie Medal is a literary award established in 1936 in honour of Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and given annually to an outstanding book for children and young adults. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
committee for realism over fantasy, and the book received the award for the most outstanding children's book of 1942.
Television adaptatation
In 1975 The Little Grey Men was adapted into a 10-part animated series, called Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry, by Anglia TelevisionAnglia Television
Anglia Television is the ITV franchise holder for the East Anglia franchise region. Although Anglia Television takes its name from East Anglia, its transmission coverage extends beyond the generally accepted boundaries of that region. The station is based at Anglia House in Norwich, with regional...
in the U.K.