Thursday, 6 March 2014

The Story of Snips - A Very Naughty Mouse

Written and illustrated by Angusine Macgregor.


Snips was a very naughty mouse who was always in disgrace. He would never get up when he was called and was always late for breakfast. He pulled the baby's tail, and made her squeak, just as nurse was getting her off to sleep. 


Mr. and Mrs. Mouse were very angry and decided to send Snips to boarding school. 


Snips was made to stand in front of the class wearing a dunce's hat and given dry bread and water for his dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Schoolmaster Mouse were very strict indeed.  


One night Snips made up his mind to run away. He climbed up to a little hole in the ceiling...


and found himself in a big room - the biggest he had ever seen - with a bed in one corner. Sitting in the bed was a great big giant...


How he jumped and the giant after him! Around and around the bed he ran, and the giant gave chase. 


The next morning all the pupils assembled in the Schoolroom, and Mr. Schoolmaster Mouse began reading out their names. When it came to Snips, there was no answer. Mr. Schoolmaster Mouse and all the scholars searched high and low, but found no sign of him. 


A telegram was sent and Mr & Mrs. Mouse lost no time in coming to look for their lost son. 


Just as Mr. Mouse was preparing to squeeze through the hole in the ceiling, a little brown tail appeared.  Never has there been such a reunion! Mr. & Mrs. Mouse were so happy to see Snips they quite forgot to be angry. From then on Snips became a model mouse. 

THE STORY OF SNIPS IS NOW SOLD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

There is surprisingly little known about the author Angusine (Jeanne) Macgregor, which is astonishing considering she wrote and illustrated a popular series of Ladybird Books.  The series known as Animal Rhymes, introduced a generation of children to the charms of Bunnikin’s, Ginger, Smoke and Fluff, Piggly and Downy Duckling to name just a few. 



Update 21st March, 2014 Marcia over at Marcia Strykowski author blog called in to say she had a different and possibly earlier version of Snips. Marcia has included pictures on her blog - here



Do you ever watch Bargain Hunt on TV and think you could do better than the contestants? Well, this could be your chance simply fill out the application form on the BBC’s Website to apply - Bargain Hunt Be On A Show.

For those of you who don’t watch Bargain Hunt the photograph on the left is of Tim Wonacott the presenter of the show. Tim is a chartered auctioneer and English antiques expert.




If you read last weeks post you may remember I included a recipe for Welsh Tea Cakes. Coincidently Darlene a blogging friend over at Darlene Foster's Blog attended a Welsh Tea Cake making demonstration at her local bookstore.  If you enjoy good food and quality books, you won't want to miss Darlene’s post here.

I would love one of these to go with my morning cuppa!  
Do you have a favourite mid morning snack?

55 comments:

  1. What a dear book. Angusine Macgregor sounds like the name of a children's book character! I have never heard of her and yet thanks to your post, I now know she wrote my Little Man's favourite story (when he was a toddler) .... The Bunney Fluff's Moving Day!

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    1. Hello Marina, I agree! Angusine could be the name of a little white Angora bunny! It’s odd how someone so prolific (and good) can disappear. Several other illustrators of Ladybird books are celebrated and revered but poor old Angusine has been largely ignored. I tried really hard to find out about her, but without success.

      If anyone reading this knows anything about her, please do leave a comment.

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  2. Oh Barbara, this was such a delight! You know how I love mice and yes, RATS! (Tea Rat and Rattus, of course!)

    The story and pictures are sweet as pie, and ever so cleverly put together. Thank you for this sweet moment before I run off to work in a world where young people learn and yes, sometimes get very naughty!!!!!!!

    Much love my friend. And...my favorite treat? ANYTHING CHOCOLATE!

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    1. Hello Anita, I will be sure to have chocolate biscuits to hand if you ever make it to this little corner of the world!
      Tea Rat and Rattus are my favourite kind of Rats, and I just love Miss Goose!
      I’m sure none of the young people you know have ever been forced to wear the Dunces hat, what cruel torture that must have been.
      Have a wonderful day. xx

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  3. Wonderful pictures. It's sad that by today's standards Snips might considered an abused or neglected mouse... :(

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    1. Hello Bish, he certainly would! I don’t think standing in a corner wearing a dunce hat is allowed any more – thank goodness! Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

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  4. Aww, poor Snips! Lovely illustrations :)

    I enjoy bargain hunt, but I don't think I'd want to become a contestant.

    A favourite treat, hmm...scones at the moment I think,

    Have a lovely day Barbara x

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    1. Hi Yvonne, I personally think bargain hunt is really difficult! I just don’t see how you can make a profit buying from dealers and then selling at auction. I always think it should be the other way around.
      Oh yes scones with cheese or currents – lovely!
      Have a good day. xx

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  5. How wonderful, and such cute l=illustrations. You really do find the most amazing books to share with us, thank you.

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    1. Thanks Tracy! I’ve been lucky with a few really nice buys lately and its always fun to share. Barbara x

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  6. I love the illustrations (and the story)! It has some of the same charm as Beatrix Potter's work.
    Thanks
    Angie
    godsgrowinggarden.com

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    1. Do you know Anige I hadn't thought of that – but you are quite right! There is something ‘Beatrix Potter’ about it. Thanks for your visit.

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  7. I loved this story! And the illustrations are brilliant. My favorite mouse tale is Frederick- very similar, as he was a somewhat naughty mouse too! Thanks for sharing :) ~ Jess

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    1. Is that the story of Frederick, who sits on a rock gathering sun rays and words while the rest of his family gather food? I can’t think who wrote it, but it sounds like a lovely story – I must read it. Thanks for your comment, Barbara.

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  8. First of all thank you so much for your lovely comments for my doll.
    This is such a sweet story. The illustrations are lovely too.
    Thank you for sharing

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    1. Hello Shashi, thanks for calling in. I was really impressed with your doll, she is beautifully made and gorgeous!

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  9. Barbara if my comments came through several times I am sorry. For some reason it kept getting deleted, so I thought, as no message came through that the comment would appear after approval

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    1. Hello Shashi, your previous comment came through just the once so no problem. I approve every comment, which is fine if I’m at my desk, but if I’m elsewhere (or asleep) it causes a delay. Thanks so much for persevering. Barbara.

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  10. BARBARA!!!!!!!! You came to NOWHERE to see Tea Rat and Rattus! Oh my...what an honor to have you come. Thank you! We have a lot of fun there with those two rats and other characters cooked up by Penny, The Dutchess and others. THANK YOU!

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    1. Dear Anita, I’ve spent all my life looking for NOWHERE & it was there all the time! Will Tea Rat and Rattus be in print soon? I do hope so.
      For those of you looking for NOWHERE this is the link http://linktonowhereland.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. Hi Barbara, I really enjoy the illustrations in The Story of Snips, and I'm glad that his parents were worried enough to come looking for him when they heard about his 'fate.' {I was initially a little upset with them for sending him to boarding school just because they couldn't discipline him, but then recalled some of the best stories came when the kids get shipped off. Like Elizabeth ~ the naughtiest girl who became the class monitor! So sending kids off to boarding schools might not be so terrible after all!} I recently subscribed to BBC Entertainment but I don't think I've come across Bargain Hunt yet. I'll be off to visit Darlene's blog after this. My mid-morning snack these days aren't really snacks. More like a cup of green tea!

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    1. Dear Claudine, I guess things were more cut and dried when this story was written, any misdemeanours were severely punished. I’m glad things have moderated somewhat! As you say we would have missed out on some great books (like the naughtiest girl) if things had been different.
      I think you will enjoy Bargain Hunt. Two teams of contestants head out to an antique fair or market with a sum of money to spend and a short time to spend it. They have to buy several items (I can’t remember how many) with a view to selling them at auction. Few teams make a profit, but some do, and it’s entertaining seeing what they chose to buy and sell.
      I hope you enjoy your tea and trip to Darlene’s blog. Thanks for calling. Barbara

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  12. Wonderful illustrations!! Poor Snips...crying while he is being sent to the school...and I love the detail of the shoes and boots of the other pupils in the next picture. Well, I enjoyed all of them.
    Besos!

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    1. Hello Silvina, how nice to see you on this lovely spring day! I hope the sun is shining in Argentina. I did feel for poor little Snips, but it all turned out happily in the end. xx

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  13. The Story of Snips looks adorable. Great illustrations! Sounds like Snips has a scary adventure away from home and luckily, it ends well! That morning treat does look scrumptious! :)

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    1. Hi Stephanie, Poor little Snips certainly learnt his lesson. It’s funny to think that mice see us as great big giants considering how scared some people are of mice!
      I could happily eat a Welsh Tea Cake right now! x

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  14. Thanks for mentioning my blog and the Welsh Cakes! They do make a nice snack with a cup of tea.

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    1. Hello Darlene and thank you for mentioning my blog. I really must get down to making some Welsh Tea Cakes looking at the picture is making me hungry! Thanks for your visit.

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  15. Well, well the story of Snip looks adorable though Snip must not necessarily be liking it :D The illustrations are good and that wins more then half of my heart. wishing to find Snip books here in India...Till then Snip's parents do resembles me and my husband running helter-skelter for my own Snips.Mine two seem Too Much! Thanks for sharing your gems with us, Love.

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    1. Hello Kokila, I love the ‘photo of your little ‘Snips’ wide awake and your husband fast asleep. It makes me smile whenever I think of it.
      Snips is hard to find in the UK too. It has been out of print for a long time, and so I was lucky to find this copy.
      Have a nice weekend, Barbara.

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  16. Barbara,
    I really love your blog and am a new happy follower

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    1. Thank you Elle, I'm very happy to meet you. Barbara.

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  17. Oh, how I love the mouse story and the drawings are particularly sweet.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. It's a delightful little book. Thank you for your sweet comment.

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  18. Oh, a way cute story. Some young ones are just too fun loving for their own good. I loved the illustrations.

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    1. Thanks Donna, the illustrations are a delight.

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  19. Snips is very naughty, but also very cute!

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    1. Hi Diane, naughty but nice! I'm looking forward to seeing some of your holiday 'finds'.

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  20. How I love visiting these rats and mice my dear friend! Thank you so much for coming to rejoice with me about my newest adventure. I hope this writing gig will be an opportunity to shape my writing for future freelance work in the magazine and even poetry publishing world....but one thing at a time!

    Thursday was our wedding anniversary and Tea Rat made us a cake in Nowhere; we had fun today as Tea Rat and Rattus went at it again....I guess the FUN is one of the things that has kept my husband and I together for 32 years, laughing! XOXOXOX

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    1. Congratulations on your anniversary and your wonderful news. I’m so pleased for you Anita. You deserve all the success in the world. xxx

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  21. YOU CAME TO NOWHERE! I fear Tea Rat is a glutton....he always blames Rattus for everything, but Tea Rat is notorious for that! We saved you a piece of cake my friend. AND, we hope to one day publish Tea Rat and Rattus - another goal before we leave this earth for the real Nowhere!!!

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    1. Oh lovely, I do like cake! Tea Rat and Rattus are adorable I can’t wait to see them in print. Don’t even think of leaving for Nowhere – you’ve got work to do and books to publish! I can’t wait to tell everyone I know someone famous :-)

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  22. ahahahahahahhaha! You are too, too kind, Madame...(Tea Rat here!)

    And yes, I think it just may be past your bedtime! We have daylight savings here, so we are going to lose an hour! Thank you, kind friend!

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  23. What a surprise! I also own a copy of The Story of Snips. Mine is very old with a different cover (and it's not part of the Tiny Tots series). There are 23 illustrations, including the ones you've shown, BUT the one you have of Snips going off to boarding school with his luggage on the roof is NOT in mine. The pages are folded in, so that each side is blank on the back. There isn't a copyright date/page in mine, but on the cover it says: London: Blackie & So Ltd 50 old Bailey E.C. Although it has a hard cover, I've always wondered if it was more of a galley, since it has a handmade look. You've got me excited about Snips again (I bought it circa 1978). Thanks for posting--I'll have to do a post on it someday, as well.

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    1. Hello Marcia, how exciting! According to the British Library, Snips was first published in 1909, so I’m wondering if your copy could be a first edition. It was republished in the Tiny Tots series in 1918 with 24 illustrations so perhaps the first edition was printed without the extra plate.
      Oh please do a post about your copy; I would love to see it!

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    2. Interesting! I'll do a post on it in a few weeks. :)

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    3. Excellent, I’m looking forward to finding out more about your copy. Barbara.

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  24. Snips looks like he's quite the little rascal. :-) Cute illustrations. I have seen that tv show. Are you going to sign up to do it???

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    1. Hi Gayle, he certainly does! I don’t know enough about antiques to appear on it, but I enjoy watching it. Would you like to do it?

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  25. Poor little Snips! Mind you, at least he didn't have a great big cat to contend with! :)

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    1. Hi Nikki-ann, oh no that would have been even worse! Can you imagine if he had popped up through the floor and found a great big giant and a cat?! I think the writer missed a trick there.

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  26. I love going back to my past - and as I am living in the fear of a serious illness it's a great comfort.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your illness and hope all will be well. I love going back to my past too but not for the same reason as you - it was just a very happy time.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx