First edition, first impression. Illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. Bound in the publisher's cloth in an unclipped wrapper; the wrapper has losses to the spine ends, with a small tear to the front joint at the tail and to the rear joint at the head; the wrapper is a touch faded, with loss and fold damage to the upper corner of the front panel. The book is similarly rather faded to the top edges. Child's ownership inscription to front pastedown having been scribbled out. The binding is a touch loose at the joints. Pages have the odd spot, with a small indentation and mark to p135 affecting the following few leaves. A bright first edition children's novel with illustrations by Ardizzone.