Osbert was first published in 1950. It is now out of print.
Story | Thoughts
| Editions
and Availability
Story
Ann, Peter, Jane and Andrew are to go to their Aunt Cathy's wedding.
The day before the wedding, Father tells them that their dog,
Osbert, will have to be looked after by a neighbour, as he is
far to queer looking to attend a smart wedding. The children are
upset ... until Ann comes up with a plan.
Thoughts
Noel was to expand on the central idea of Osbert - that
of children getting a permanent wave for their dog, so that he
can come to a wedding - in her 1959 book Bertram.
However, whereas Osbert is set in the US (based on the
currency used - there are no other indications of setting), Bertram
is firmly placed in London. In addition, there is more background
story in Bertram; and
where Osbert has only one family of characters, Bertram
has three.
Editions and Availability
UK Editions
Osbert does not appear to have ever been released in
the UK.
US Editions
Osbert was published by Rand McNally in 1950, as part
of the Slottie Library Series. The illustrations were by Susanne
Suba, and it came with a push-out "Slottie toy" at the
back.
Out of Print
Osbert is now out of print, and very rare. In February 2004, the few second hand copies listed by online booksellers
cost between £7 and £23. (Source: Addall
Used and Out of Print Book Search.)
