Christianna Brand Brotherly author of crime novels and works for children Date of Birth: 17.12.1907 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Christiana Brand
2. Early Life and Career
3. The Inspector Cockrill Series
4. Children's Book Series: Nurse Matilda
5. Nanny McPhee Films
6. Other Works and Achievements

Biography of Christiana Brand

Christiana Brand, born Mary Christiana Milne on December 17, 1907, in Malaya, grew up in India. She was a British author of crime novels and children's books, best known as the creator of the famous nanny Matilda, who is more familiar to Russians through the screen adaptation by Emma Thompson, known as Nanny McPhee.

Early Life and Career

Christiana Brand had a diverse range of jobs throughout her life, including being a model, dancer, saleswoman, and governess. She was the cousin of artist and children's book creator Edward Ardizzone, author and illustrator of the adventure story "For Tim All Alone." Brand wrote her first novel, "Death in High Heels," while working as a saleswoman. The idea for the book came from her fantasies of getting rid of her annoying colleague.

The Inspector Cockrill Series

In 1941, one of Brand's most beloved characters, Inspector Cockrill from the Kent County Police, first appeared in her book "Heads You Lose." Cockrill featured in a total of seven novels, with the most famous being "Green for Danger." This detective novel, set in a small hospital during World War II, was adapted into a film by Eagle-Lion Films in 1946, with Alastair Sim portraying Inspector Cockrill. Sim was also known for his role in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller "Stage Fright" in 1950.

Children's Book Series: Nurse Matilda

Christiana Brand also wrote a children's book series called "Nurse Matilda," illustrated by her cousin Edward Ardizzone. The stories were inspired by Brand's grandmother, who described to her the life of the "awfully ugly" nanny Matilda. Matilda agrees to manage the household of the Brown family and take care of their misbehaving children. With her strict and magical methods, Matilda successfully instills good behavior and manners in the children. Once her job is done, Matilda leaves to find a new family in need of her services. However, in each subsequent book, the children start misbehaving again, and Matilda returns to restore order. The second book, "Nurse Matilda Goes to Town," sees the children sent to live with their strict aunt Adelaide in London, while the third and final book, "Nurse Matilda Goes to Hospital," follows their misadventures in a hospital after a failed prank.

Nanny McPhee Films

Actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson adapted "Nurse Matilda" into the film "Nanny McPhee" released in 2005. The film was followed by a sequel, "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang," released in 2010, for which Thompson also adapted Brand's book.

Other Works and Achievements

As a writer, Christiana Brand used various pseudonyms, including Mary Anne Esh, Annabel Jones, Mary Roland, and China Thomson. She served as the chairperson of the Crime Writers' Association from 1972 to 1973 and was nominated three times for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for her stories "Poison in the Cup," "Twist for Twist," and the work "Heaven Knows Who," which explored a Scottish murder case.