The Granny Alphabet

Artist-photographer Tim Walker has won a cult following for his flamboyant, lavishly staged and surrealist fashion photography. Now he brings his unique brand of very British fantasia to a subject close to his and all our hearts: grandmothers. Pour yourself a cup of tea and step into an enchanted realm, where twinkling Miss Marple-types elope to Egypt in head-to-toe tartan or jet off to Mars on a flying saucer.... You'll find Lucinda, whose hat addiction shows no sign of waning (she even goes to bed in one), and Hattie, who'll give you a humbug if you're helpful. Brush up on your knitting skills to rival Kitty. Book 1 of this two-volume collection offers an assortment of characterful portraits by Tim Walker of grannies and the things dearest to them, arranged alphabetically and accompanied by short, gently humorous verses written by Kit Hesketh-Harvey. In Book 2, fashion illustrator Lawrence Mynott contributes his own A-Z of drawings of lively old ladies. Spirited, stylish, sweet - here are granny archetypes of every stripe.