100 Years ago....
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are keeping the children amused
August 1, 1921
The first release of May Gibbs' Snugglepot and Cuddlepie has sold 17,000 copies. The artist and writer, who has lived in Sydney since 1913, began her fame as an illustrator and writer in 1916 when she published Gumnut Babies. May Gibbs arrived in Australia in 1881, but later returned to England to work and study. The simple children's tales she tells in Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are exquisitely illustrated, and tell of the gumnut's struggles against their enemies such as the banksia men. Rather than translate the English fairytale tradition, Gibbs has created authentic Australian images based on her observation of the bush.
Article from "Chronicle of the 20th Century" ISBN 1 872031 80 3