Little Grey Rabbit was the creation of the prolific British writer Alison Uttley (1884–1976), who authored more than one hundred books. Her earliest works were a series of animal tales featuring characters such as Little Grey Rabbit, the Little Red Fox, Sam Pig and Hare. These stories were later adapted for television and performed by Ann Hogarth and Jan Bussell using glove puppets handmade by Ann. First broadcast on 8 September 1950, Little Grey Rabbit—alongside several other daytime programmes, formed part of the BBC’s essential children’s output, originally titled For the Children and later known by the more familiar name Watch With Mother.
The Hogarth Puppets were founded in the late 1940s by Jan Bussell and Ann Hogarth, a husband‑and‑wife team who became central figures in the post‑war revival of British puppetry. Their most famous creation was Muffin the Mule, a marionette who first appeared on BBC television in 1946 and quickly became a national favourite.
Beyond Muffin, the company produced a wide range of marionette shows for both stage and screen, toured internationally, and trained many younger puppeteers who would go on to shape the art form. Ann Hogarth’s skill as a puppet performer, combined with Jan Bussell’s writing and direction, created a distinctive style that blended charm, precision and theatrical flair.
