Until very recently when a British friend mentioned it I had never heard of The Little Grey Men by B.B. The author was actually named D.J. Watkins-Pitchford, and he was also the illustrator. Since I'm very fond of reading vintage children's literature I ordered The Little Grey Men right away. When it arrived I leafed through the pages and immediately felt the same thrill of excitement I experienced as a child when a new and exceptionally enchanting book fell into my hands.
The Little Grey Men of the title are gnomes, the last four in Britain. Their home is under an oak tree near a stream in the beautiful countryside of rural England. One of the gnomes named Cloudberry has gone off on a journey of exploration, and the book begins with the other three, Dodder, Sneezewort, and Baldmoney, (these are all English wildflower names, by the way) debating whether and how to go and search for him. This leads into a charming tale of adventure, exploration, and a good bit of danger. I enjoyed the plotline, but the true treasure to be found in the pages of The Little Grey Men consists of the descriptions of the English countryside, complemented by the beautiful illustrations.
The Little Grey Men reminds me of other beloved beast-fables, including most closely The Wind in the Willows and Watership Down. It also brought to mind Mary Norton's Borrower stories and some aspects of C.S. Lewis' Narnia tales. Intelligent children with good vocabularies and an appreciation for enchantment and wonder will love The Little Grey Men, as will adults who have not forgotten the stories they loved in their youths.
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