About this Item
Andy Pandy's Tea Party by Maria Bird, illustrated by Matvyn Wright. Hodder & Stoughton, London/Sydney/Auckland/Toronto. Fourteenth impression, 1982. ISBN 0 340 03057 7. Small format paperback (approx. 13 x 14 cm), 32 pages. Colour illustrated throughout. Part of the beloved "Andy Pandy Books" / "Little Books" series.
Condition: Very Good overall. The front cover shows noticeable fading/sun-lightening (typical for these 1980s printings with lighter paper stock and exposed white areas around the illustration and lettering). Spine and rear cover are much brighter with only minor shelf wear and light rubbing to edges. Interior is perfect ? pages are clean, bright, and crisp with no marks, inscriptions, writing, foxing, or children's scribbles. The binding is tight and square. A lovely, readable copy ideal for collectors or nostalgic reading.
Description & Story:
In this charming tale from the classic Watch with Mother era, Andy Pandy invites his friend Teddy to a tea party. He prepares buns shaped like little men, sugary cakes, a huge jug of lemonade, and sets the table beautifully. Looby Loo joins them, leading to delightful mischief when she helps herself while the others wash up ? resulting in a spilled milk jug and a humorous "blame the cat" moment. The story ends with friendly kittens lapping up the milk, turning the mishap into a lovely surprise. Full of gentle humour, vibrant illustrations, and simple, rhythmic text perfect for young children.
About the Author:
Maria Bird (1891?1979) was a South African-born British writer, producer, and composer who became one of the most influential figures in early British children's television. Together with Freda Lingstrom, she created the iconic Andy Pandy series for the BBC's Watch with Mother (first broadcast in 1950). Bird wrote the scripts, composed much of the music, and produced the programmes through their company Westerham Arts. She authored dozens of tie-in books featuring Andy Pandy, Teddy, Looby Loo, and other beloved characters, capturing the gentle, imaginative world that delighted generations of British children in the 1950s?1980s.
About the Illustrator:
Matvyn Wright was Maria Bird's long-time collaborator on the Andy Pandy book series. His bright, expressive, and whimsical watercolour-style illustrations perfectly complement the stories, bringing the characters to life with warmth and charm. Wright illustrated numerous titles in the series, including Andy Pandy's Shop, Andy Pandy Paints His House, and many others. His work is instantly recognizable to fans of vintage British children's literature.
Series Context:
This is one of the popular small-format "Little Books" published by Hodder & Stoughton (earlier titles appeared under Brockhampton Press). The Andy Pandy series originated from the groundbreaking BBC puppet programme and expanded into books, comics (Robin and Pippin), and merchandise. These stories remain cherished for their innocence and simplicity.
Collectibility:
A nostalgic piece of British television and publishing history. Early impressions and pristine copies are sought after by collectors of Watch with Mother memorabilia, 1950s?1980s children's illustrated books, and mid-20th century ephemera. This later impression is more affordable but retains all the original charm and illustrations.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1781467537604
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