Barbara Euphan Todd facts for kids

Barbara Euphan Todd (born January 9, 1890 – died February 2, 1976) was an English writer. She is best known for her ten children's books. These stories were all about a funny scarecrow named Worzel Gummidge. Her books were so popular they were made into radio shows and TV series! One of her Worzel Gummidge stories was even the very first book published by Puffin Books.

Early Life and Beginnings

Barbara Euphan Todd was born in Arksey, a village near Doncaster, England. She was the only child of Thomas Todd, who was an Anglican vicar (a type of church leader). Her mother was Alice Maud Mary. Barbara grew up in Soberton, Hampshire. She went to school at St Catherine's School, Bramley, near Guildford, Surrey.

During the First World War, Barbara worked as a VAD. This meant she volunteered to help nurses. After her father retired, she lived with her parents in Surrey. It was there that she started her writing career.

Becoming a Writer

Barbara Todd's early writings appeared in popular magazines. These included Punch and The Spectator. She also wrote two books of poems for children. These books were called Hither and Thither (1927) and The Seventh Daughter (1935). A famous artist named E. H. Shepard drew the pictures for them.

In the 1920s, Barbara began writing novels for kids. She even wrote some with her husband, John Graham Bower. He was a Naval Commander. They got married in 1932. The couple moved to Blewbury near Oxford. Her husband also wrote books and essays. He used the pseudonym (a made-up name) "Klaxon." Barbara also used "Barbara Euphan" for some of her work.

One book they wrote together was The Touchstone. It combined observations about the countryside with its history. This was similar to Rudyard Kipling's famous book, Puck of Pook's Hill. Sadly, Commander Bower passed away in 1940.

Barbara Todd also wrote one novel for grown-ups. It was called Miss Ranskill Comes Home (1946). This story is about a woman who returns to England. She had been stuck on a desert island during the Second World War.

Barbara kept writing novels even when she was older. Her last book came out in 1972. She also adapted folk stories for radio. She wrote plays and stories with other writers too. But it's her wonderful books about Worzel Gummidge that people still love to read today.

Worzel Gummidge Books

Barbara Todd wrote ten novels about Worzel Gummidge. He is a scarecrow who magically comes to life! Here are the titles of his adventures:

• Worzel Gummidge, or The Scarecrow of Scatterbrook (1936)
• Worzel Gummidge Again (1937)
• More About Worzel Gummidge (1938)
• Worzel Gummidge and Saucy Nancy (1947)
• Worzel Gummidge Takes a Holiday (1949)
• Earthy Mangold and Worzel Gummidge (1954)
• Worzel Gummidge and the Railway Scarecrows (1955)
• Worzel Gummidge at the Circus (1956)
• Worzel Gummidge's Treasure Ship (1958)
• Detective Worzel Gummidge (1963)

Many different artists have drawn pictures for these books. Some of them include Diana Stanley and Jill Crockford.

In the 1950s, Barbara worked with Denis and Mabel Constanduros. They created a series of Worzel Gummidge radio plays for children. A TV show called Worzel Gummidge Turns Detective was made in 1953. Later, in 1967, five Worzel Gummidge stories were read aloud. This happened on the BBC children's show Jackanory.

A second TV series was made in 1978. It was adapted by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall. Another TV show, Worzel Gummidge Down Under, came out in 1987. In this series, Worzel moves to New Zealand! Most recently, a new TV adaptation of Worzel Gummidge was released in 2019. It was written, directed by, and starred Mackenzie Crook.

Later Life and Legacy

Barbara Euphan Todd passed away in 1976. She was at a nursing home in Donnington, Berkshire. Her stepdaughter, Ursula Betts, remembered her fondly. She described Barbara as "warm and kind." Ursula also recalled her "dry – and sometimes wry – sense of humour." This special humor was a key part of her beloved Worzel Gummidge books.