Epworth Press: London, 1948 / Illustrations: ©Stanley Jackson
The What Do You Know Stories simply grew from Leila’s own kids (then about 3 and 7) asking questions and their journalism-trained mother answering them.
As acknowledged in a prefatory note, Leila drew on writing and information from Sir J Arthur Thompson, Professor J B S Haldane, and “Mr Leaky”.
The Jungle Book and other wildlife and nature stories (and expeditions on the Heath) were also popular in the family, and brought more questions, which Leila always encouraged. She loved being able to answer them – and to then write it all down as stories.
Click to read How Jim Saved the Town in full!
Contents
The Boy Who Was Rude to a Worm
Why the Platypus is Shy
The Penguin Who Couldn’t Paddle
The Animal Who Wasn’t a Bear
The Bee Who Didn’t Know Yellow
How John Caught the Sea-Horse
The Ostrich Who Learned Not to Kick
The Goat Who Liked Anything
The Silkworm Who Shivered
The Elephant Whose Trunk Was Too Long
How Jim Saved the Town
The Swan Who Came Home
The Camel With the Shrinking Hump
The Ladybird Whose House Caught Fire
