In the magical realm of children’s literature, few characters have captured imaginations as sweetly as Mabel Lucie Attwell’s Boo Boos. Created in the 1920s, the Mabel Lucie Attwell’s Boo Boos Series was born from Attwell’s vivid imagination, spurred by her publisher Valentine & Sons, and it quickly became a beloved part of bedtime stories for children. The six books in the series, though now rare, continue to charm collectors and fans of classic children’s stories.
The adventure begins with Bunty and the Boo-Boos, in which the green umbrella mischievously carries Bunty, her toy doll Queen Elizabeth, and her dog Mops over the seas, landing them in the delightful world of the Boo-Boos. These whimsical creatures, best described as “do-good” elves, are led by a king who dons a crown and is ever ready to take them on new escapades. Each story is filled with love, innocence, and a hint of mischief, providing the perfect backdrop for bedtime fantasies.
The Boo-Boos’ adventures take readers from schoolhouses to farmyards and even to Santa Claus’s home, where their sense of wonder and imagination blossoms. These jaunty little elves inspire good deeds and misadventures alike, teaching valuable life lessons in the most playful of ways. The blend of Attwell’s storytelling and illustrations creates an enchanting world that is both heartwarming and mischievous, ideal for children and parents alike.
The six books in the series include:
- Bunty and the Boo-Boos (1922)
- The Boo-Boos and Bunty’s Baby (1923)
- The Boo-Boos at School (1924)
- The Boo-Boos at the Seaside (1925)
- The Boo-Boos at Honey Sweet Farm (1926)
- The Boo-Boos and Santa Claus (1927)
These stories were not only loved in book form but extended into other media as well. Attwell’s Boo-Boos were soon featured on a series of postcards, allowing fans to send little snippets of the Boo-Boos’ magic to one another. The characters also found a place in children’s nursery ware. In collaboration with Shelley Potteries, Attwell designed plates and tea sets featuring Boo-Boos scenes, complete with a mushroom house teapot and a Boo-Boo figure as the milk jug’s handle. These charming tablewares were adorned with Attwell’s playful verses, making them cherished items in nurseries and homes.
The Boo Boos series is an enduring testament to Mabel Lucie Attwell’s ability to create worlds that are not only enchanting but also filled with moral lessons and joyous adventure. While the books may be rare today, their legacy lives on in the hearts of collectors and lovers of classic children’s literature, a testament to Attwell’s timeless appeal.
Related
Bibliography of Mabel Lucie Attwell’s Significant Illustrated Works
