First Edition, First Issue, 8vo, in publisher's red cloth boards, silver gilt fish motif to front board and lettering to spine, front board slightly bowed, with decorated endpapers. Original B&W photographs of Nichols girls astride ponies tipped onto verso of front free endpaper, another photograph of author signing books at Harrods in 1948 and tipped in cutting from a newspaper concerning the book and its dedication; dust-jacket in fair to good condition with chips along the top edge and some yellowing and general grubbiness consistent with age; all in all a unique association copy of a beloved children's book, Jonathan Cape, London, 1948.

An absolutely unique association copy of the second book in the Magic Woodland Series, bearing inlaid photographs and a newspaper clipping of the author and his nieces, and signed "With Great Affection from your Wicked Uncle," on the title page.

Before Roald Dahl, and way before Rowling, there was Beverly Nichols, and the terrifying Miss Smith, one of the ghastliest witches ever created. The Stream that Stood Still follows the story of Jack and Jill, the children of Judy, whom we meet as a young girl in the first book of the series, The Tree that Sat down.

The book is generally in good condition, and the jacket is intact, but it is missing some chips, as you can see from the photograph.

This is a very very unusual and completely unique item. A wonderful addition to a children's rare book collection.