Roddy the Rabbit

Roddy the Rabbit - "Hide and Seek" Series (Brimax Books, c. 1984 / 1979 copyright) Very Good / Near Fine condition. A charming and scarce vintage wipe-clean children's board book. Full Title: Roddy the Rabbit (from the "Hide and Seek" Series) Text by: David Eden Publisher: Brimax Books Ltd., England (produced exclusively for Tesco by Brimax 1984; copyright Eng. Edition Brimax 1979; printed in Fed. Rep. Germany) ISBN: Not listed (pre-ISBN common for this series) Format: Hardcover board book with wipe-clean laminated pages. Yellow cloth spine, small format ideal for little hands. Pages: Unpaginated (6 pages, Full-color illustrations throughout. Price on cover: 50p (original UK retail). Barcode is present on the rear. This delightful interactive "hide and seek" story follows Roddy Rabbit on a colorful train journey through whimsical landscapes of green hills, castles, and villages. Children are encouraged to spot the mischievous rabbit on each spread among passengers, train cars (including smoker/non-smoker, dining car, sleeping car, mail car, and Rabbitland Express), and playful scenes with children, animals, and a smiling sun. Rhyming text adds to the fun. Condition details (Very Good / Near Fine): Boards & Spine: Bright, clean covers with vibrant colors (pink upper, green lower). Minimal shelf wear to edges/corners. Yellow spine firm and bright. Pages: Wipe-clean laminated surfaces are glossy and intact. Interiors bright and clean with no writing, tears, or significant marks. Minor handling wear consistent with a well-loved but carefully kept children's book. Binding tight. Overall an excellent survivor of this fragile format – far better than most examples from the early 1980s. Ideal for collectors or gifting to a young child. Author: David Eden contributed text to multiple titles in Brimax’s popular "Hide and Seek" series (and related children's books). He specialized in simple, engaging rhymes for toddlers, promoting interactive play and observation skills. Other known works include titles like Chin-Chin the Panda (with different illustrators). Limited biographical details are available, but his work was widely distributed through UK retailers like Tesco in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Illustrator: Uncredited on this title (common for Brimax mass-market series). The style features bold, cheerful, colorful cartoon illustrations with rounded forms, expressive faces, and detailed backgrounds—typical of 1970s–80s British educational children's books. Vibrant trains, anthropomorphic animals, and pastoral scenes evoke a warm, nostalgic feel perfect for ages 2–5. Similar Brimax titles often involved house illustrators or studios specializing in wipe-clean formats. Series Context: Part of Brimax’s "Hide and Seek" wipe-clean hygienic board book line, designed for durability and easy cleaning. Other titles include Pat the Pixie, Charlie the Cowboy, Kate the Cat, and Bob the Dog. These were affordable, practical books for young families emphasizing fun learning and hygiene. Rarity & Collectibility: Scarce in this condition. Brimax board books from this era are increasingly sought after by collectors of vintage children’s literature, wipe-clean books, and 1980s UK publishing history. The original 50p price and Tesco connection add historical charm.