As a child I loved Alison Uttley’s stories of 
Rufus, aka the Little Red Fox (1954). It was the only Alison Uttley book, an audiobook at that, in my local library’s collection. I borrowed it many times and never forgot the humorous details like sycamore keys and the song of the Wicked Uncle. Yet, as much as I loved the stories and Uttley’s style, I was never curious about her other book mentioned on the back of the audiobook clamshell case: Little Grey Rabbit.
Over the years I have collected printed copies of the Little Red Fox stories, and some of the Delysé record albums. Hoped that the particular recording I listened to, as a child would someday turn up. It hasn’t. I still wasn’t curious about Uttley’s other works, not until Audible added Little Grey Rabbit’s Story Treasury to Audible. After years of disappointments I was surprised to find Alison Uttley turn up in my author search. I immediately used my credit to buy the book. Grey Rabbit wasn’t what I wanted, but I thought if I supported one book by Alison Uttley, maybe they’d someday offer the Fox stories too.
It idled unplayed on my iPod for a while, until finally I decided to listen to it on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The production and narration of the audiobook were top quality, and by the end of the audiobook I had become thoroughly smitten with the Little Grey Rabbit and her adventures. I was won over by Grey Rabbit’s selflessness and bravery in her debut story, and her silly friends Squirrel and Hare. On a nostalgic level, Grey Rabbit reminded me of the Swan’s retelling of Cinderella from Little Red Fox and Cinderella, where Cinderella is a rabbit.
So, after finishing the treasury, I found another Grey Rabbit audiobook Little Grey Rabbit Goes to the Sea. Then I became interested in the illustrations and ordered the hardback version of the treasury. Ultimately, one thing led to another, and I’ve learned there are abridgements, different illustrators, a cartoon adaptation and an interesting array of Grey Rabbit merchandise. Quite more prolific than the Little Red Fox books. As I collected and read more Grey Rabbit media I found myself developing questions, and invariably comparing it to Little Red Fox as though I were preparing for a thesis paper, but more importantly I was having fun and de-stressing after work. So, here I am ready to blog about a Little Grey Rabbit and her friends.
Question to readers: How did you become a fan of Little Grey Rabbit? Did you have the books as a child or did you discover them as an adult? Do you prefer any of Alison Uttley’s other works to Little Grey Rabbit? Here’s looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Primrose
Little Grey Rabbit Scholar 