Denys Watkins-Pitchford facts for kids
Denys James Watkins-Pitchford, known as "BB", was a British naturalist, artist, and children's author. He was born on July 25, 1905, and passed away on September 8, 1990. He won the important Carnegie Medal in 1942 for his amazing children's book, The Little Grey Men. This award is given to the best children's book written by a British author each year.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Denys Watkins-Pitchford was born in Lamport, Northamptonshire. He was the second son of Walter and Edith Watkins-Pitchford. As a child, he was often sick, so he was taught at home. This meant he spent a lot of time by himself. He loved exploring the fields and woods around his home. This time outdoors made him love nature, which later became a big part of his books. He also enjoyed shooting, fishing, and drawing. All these hobbies helped him become the writer and artist he was.
When he was 15, Denys went to the Northampton School of Art. He won several awards there. He then earned a scholarship to study art in Paris. Later, in 1924, he joined the Royal College of Art in London. In 1930, he started teaching art at Rugby School, where he stayed for 17 years. While teaching, he began writing and drawing for the Shooting Times magazine. This was the start of his career as an author and illustrator.
He chose the pen name "BB" for his writing. This name came from the size of lead shot he used when hunting geese. Even though he wrote as "BB", he always used his real name, Denys Watkins-Pitchford, as the illustrator for his books. He also drew pictures for other writers' books and sold his own paintings.
Later Years and Achievements
Denys Watkins-Pitchford got married in 1939. He had two children, Robin and Angela. Sadly, his son Robin died at a young age. In 1974, his wife, Cecily, became unwell and passed away a few weeks later.
In his later years, Denys received special honors. In 1986, he was given an honorary Master of Arts degree from Leicester University. In 1990, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is a special award from the British King or Queen for people who have done great things. He passed away in September 1990.
Famous Works
One of BB's most famous books is The Little Grey Men, published in 1942. This book won the Carnegie Medal, which is a very important award for children's books in Britain.
Here are some of his other well-known books:
- (1937) The Sportsman's Bedside Book
- (1938) Wild Lone: The Story of a Pytchley Fox
- (1939) Manka, the Sky Gypsy: The Story of a Wild Goose
- (1941) The Countryman's Bedside Book
- (1944) Narrow Boat (book)
- (1944) Brendon Chase
- (1945) The Fisherman's Bedside Book
- (1948) Down the Bright Stream
- (1955) The Forest of Boland Light Railway
- (1959) Bill Badger's Winter Cruise
- (1960) Bill Badger and the Pirates
- (1962) Lepus the Brown Hare
- (1978) A Child Alone
- (1980) The Naturalist's Bedside Book
A Special Motto
Inside many of BB's books, you can find a special quote:
- The wonder of the world
- The beauty and the power,
- The shapes of things,
- Their colours, lights and shades,
- These I saw.
- Look ye also while life lasts.
This quote perfectly fits his books, which are full of wonder and nature. Many people thought BB wrote this quote himself. But it was actually copied by his father from a tombstone in an old churchyard.
Books on Screen
Some of BB's stories have been made into TV shows!
- In 1975, The Little Grey Men became a 10-part animated series called Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry in the UK.
- Brendon Chase was made into a 13-part TV series in 1980.
- In 1970, a Swiss TV station made Bill Badger and the Pirates into a puppet show called Dominik Dachs und die Katzenpiraten.
Fun Facts
The Little Grey Men was one of the favorite books of Syd Barrett, a famous musician from the band Pink Floyd. A part of the book was even read at his funeral.
