Sara And Hoppity Published 1960 by Pelham Books Illustrated by Marion Wilson On Monday, the sky was blue. Mummy wants Sara to go out and play in the sun but Sara lives in a Toy Hospital and prefers to play inside. All manner of people bring toys here to be mended. Hearing the shop bell, Sara rushes in from the garden to see an old man with a bald head holding a red velvet bag. Inside is the dirtiest doll ever, with no hair, no clothes and a leg missing. Only the eyes, gleaming greener than grass, shinier than water, make it attractive. The old man tells Sara the doll can dance but he has lost the key, and the Goblins made it all dirty and left it in a Goblin Ring. It must be a magic toy, Sara decides, and she will tell Mummy to be careful mending it. But the old man wants to sell the doll, which he calls Hoppity, and Sara wants him. Neither Mummy nor Daddy will buy the dirty old toy for her, so Sara goes up to the attic where Miss Julie makes clothes for the Toy Hospital. Even she will not buy a toy found in a Goblin Ring, and Sara has to use her only sixpence to get Hoppity. The next morning, before anyone else is awake, Sara fills a basin of water in the bathroom and cleans Hoppity. In the work-room, Sara decides to give Hoppity new red cheeks but the paint gets everywhere. Sad, she tells Mummy who is cross at first because Sara bought the doll but soon changes her mind. First Hoppity is given scarlet cheeks and cherry-red lips, and then some of Sara's own red hair. In a drawer of spare toy legs, Mummy finds a new leg but it is too short. Sara takes the repaired toy to Miss Julie to clothe, and the old lady recognises the Goblin Toy from its green eyes. But she does give Hopity a green jersey and black and white striped trousers that once belonged to a golliwog. Daddy has lof spare toy keys, and one is found that fits, allowing Hoppity to be would up to dance and sing "Tiddley-tum, tiddley-tee, diddley-dum, diddley-dee... " Sara takes Hoppity everywhere with her now, and he is a good toy. Until the day Aunt Matilda came to tea... Sara doesn't like Aunt Matilda, but Mummy makes her sit in her small armchair in the sitting room in her party dress when she visits. Aunt Matilda takes an instant dislike to Hoppity and tells Sara she is too big for toys. Mummy tells Sara to take Aunt Matilda's new hat and put it safely on the bed, which she does before setting the table for tea. But Hoppity thinks it would be nice if there were some flowers on the table - just like the ones on Aunt Matilda's hat! In pulling the roses and daisies from the hat, it falls to pieces completely. But Sara hides the remains and puts the flowers in a glass vase on the table. Mummy is proud of Sara for setting the table but Aunt Matilda is furious when she recognises the flowers from her hat. Sara is sent to bed in disgrace but Daddy brings some jelly and cream for her - as he is sure she's sorry now. Miss Julie has a surprise for Sara. She has made a Hoppity Apron for Sara to carry the toy around in. She is so happy with it. She climbs onto her chair for lunch, to find it is Spinach and Poached Egg, which she hates! Sara pushes the plate away, and is told if she does not eat it now she will get it for tea and supper until she does! Sara says she will only eat it if it is on a Hoppity Plate, like her apron, not thinking she will get one. But Mummy paints Hoppity on a plate to give Sara the spinach and egg for tea! Because Mummy has been so kind, Sara tries very hard to eat the spinach. But Hoppity has an idea... Mummy and Daddy sit down to tea to find Sara just finishing her spinach. Daddy gives her a hug but there is a SQUELCH, and spinach and egg slide out of Sara's apron pocket! Sara is very naughty! Miss Julie tells Sara she should not listen to a Goblin Toy but Mummy and Daddy send Sara to bed. She sees Hoppity standing in the corner of her bedroom, as if he realises he has been naughty too, and forgives him. Notes: This first book provides the basis for the first episode of the Sara and Hoppity television series, as well as the episode Aunt Matilda's Hat. With thanks to the British Library. On to Sara and Hoppity Make New Friends Back to the Sara and Hoppity homepage Sara And Hoppity would welcome any information on any of the other Wonderama/National Interest Picture Productions for future updates.