THE BAD CHILDREN

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Inscribed presentation copy. Stapled pamphlet. 36 pages. A near fine copy, the binding firm, the covers lightly rubbed and toned, the rear panel with a few tiny marks. The lightly toned contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. Scarce unsigned, even more so in inscribed state.

Inscribed by Shirley Jackson in blue ink on the front panel "For the Ford children - / who are - of course - / good - / Shirley Jackson". A relatively obscure Jackson publication; a children's play, complete with songs, originally written for Jackson's daughter's school. A metafictional retelling of 'Hansel and Gretel' in which the witch is the victim, the children are very wicked, the parents and the witch both reject the children, and the children pre-emptively demand the classic version of the fairy tale as the story unfolds. An excellent example with a characterful inscription that evokes Jackson's classic writing style.