Little Grey Rabbit, Sam Pig and Brown Fox are just some of the characters created in children's books by Alison Uttley. But who was the real woman who spun these enchanting tales of country lore and friendship? Born and raised in an idyllic rural setting, Uttley gathered much of the inspiration for her stories from the fond memories of her childhood and love of the countryside. However, her life was to prove far more complex than the humble beginnings of a country girl had shown. She had a strong personality with a character full of contradiction, sometimes kindly, thoughtful and loving, a provider of merry company and stimulating friendship, but also domineering, scornful, harsh and calculating. The author of this biography had access to Uttley's diaries. This revised edition contains a new introduction.