Thursday, May 03, 2007

Muriel Holland

Not related, as far as I know but definitely a contributor to Robin Annual.

According to a blurb in one of her books, "Muriel Holland was one of a family of six children. She was born in Wales but went to school in Bristol and now [1959] lives near the Zoo in London. She often visits it to draw the animals. She writes stories and rhymes for children and has had her stories broadcast all over the world."

Born in Cardiff, she was educated at Badminton School, Bristol, and contributed widely to the press and magazines, including The Times, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Evening News, Sun, Church Times, News Chronicle, Weekly Scotsman, Western Mail, Christian Science Monitor, In Britain, What's On In London, English Song and Dance, various women's magazines, the BBC -- both radio and TV -- and radio stations around the world. She also wrote folk songs (with music provided by Jim Parker), her lyrics published in Sounds Like Folk and Folksong Today.

She lived at 10 Elsworthy Terrace, London N.W.3 in the 1950s and early 1960s, moving in around 1964 to a flat in Goldhurst Terrace, Maida Vale, where she was still living in the late 1970s.

Books
Wizard Winkle, illus. William McLaren. London, Thomas Nelson & Sons (Speedwell Readers no. A14), 1951.
Benjamin Bear and Rag-Doll, illus. L. R. Brightwell. London, Thomas Nelson & Sons (Speedwell Readers no. B14), 1952.
The Jim Scarecrow Stories, illus. Hilda McGavin. London, Macmillan & Co., 10 vols., 1952-61.
__1 The Scarecrow That Was Scared. 1952.
__2 Jim Scarecrow is Kidnapped. 1952
__3 Jim Scarecrow, Detective. 1953.
__4 Jim Scarecrow has his Portrait Painted. 1953.
__5 Jim Scarecrow has a Terrible Adventure. 1954.
__6 Jim Scarecrow Plays a New Part. 1956.
__7 Jim Scarecrow Gets a Feather in his Cap. 1956.
__8 Jim Scarecrow Stands Firm. 1956.
__9 Jim Scarecrow Disappears. 1960.
__10 Jim Scarecrow and the Meadow Farm Mystery. 1961.
Even the Cat Could Talk, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1958.
Mr. Hare Makes Stone Soup, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1959.
Wizard Winkle Won't Tell, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1960.
Let's Read a Story. London, Macmillan & Co., 3 vols., 1961; New York, St. Martin's Press, 1961.
Mr. Hare and the Honey Bees, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1961.
Wizard Winkle Goes North, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1962.
Mr. Hare has a Bright Idea, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1963.
Wizard Winkle's Wishing Ring, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1964.
Wizard Winkle Goes Abroad, illus. Edgar Norfield. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1967.
Mr. Sungura is Challenged, illus. T. G. Hewitt. Leeds, E. J. Arnold, 1970.
Mr. Sungura Does Some Arithmetic, illus. T. G. Hewitt. Leeds, E. J. Arnold, 1970.
Mr. Sungura and the Spider, illus. T. G. Hewitt. Leeds, E. J. Arnold, 1970.
How the Blackbird Became Black, and other stories, illus. F. Stocks May. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1972.

4 comments:

  1. Wanted to buy book 'Even the cat could talk'. Searched on and off for many years but found nothing. Was not even sure if title was correct nor did I know authors name. Only info I ascertained was that the book was 'out of print. I've since found authors name and was both surprised and pleased to see it listed here among other books she has written. I also wanted to know more about the author, on site such as wikipedia, but so far nothing till this website. Would you be able to help? As I am having difficulty signing in would you be able to contact me by email on slawrence.1@btinternet.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did a quick search of popular book-selling sites and couldn't see any copies for sale. Best bet is to keep an eye on eBay. A few of her other books are available if you check Abebooks, Amazon, Alibris, Biblio, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Steve. How to contact you privately?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Email address can be found below the photo at top left.

    ReplyDelete

BEAR ALLEY BOOKS

BEAR ALLEY BOOKS
Click on the above pic to visit our sister site Bear Alley Books