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Welcome to my 'Arabel and Mortimer' resource. This site is a tribute to the stories and characters created by Joan Aiken.
For those of you who have never read any of the Arabel and Mortimer stories, I should first briefly describe what they are about. The first Arabel and Mortimer story was called, 'Arabel's Raven' and was published in 1972 and written by Joan Aiken. After this, Joan Aiken went on to write many more stories about the little girl, Arabel and her pet raven, Mortimer. Arabel Jones is the daughter of Mr Ebenezer Jones (Ben for short) and Mrs Martha Jones. They live at number Six Rainwater Crescent, N.W. three and a half, which is in Rumbury Town, London. Mr Jones is a taxi driver and it was on a stormy night in March that he rescued Mortimer the raven, who had been knocked down by a motorcycle. Arabel Jones befriends the raven and names him, Mortimer. She often takes him for rides round the garden, pulling him along on her red truck. The two are inseparable and before long Mortimer is an accepted member of the Jones family. Unfortunately Mortimer has some rather unusual habits, as the Jones family discover when he eats the stairs and turns their house upside down. Infact wherever Mortimer goes, he leaves a trail of chaos in his wake. The first story, 'Arabel's Raven' sets the scene for what is to come in a series of chaotic adventures about Mortimer. As the stories develop we learn more about Rumbury Town and the weird and wonderful people who live there. Then there is Mrs Jones herself, who is often driven to hysterics by the slightest out of the ordinary event, and not to mention all the Jones' wacky relatives who often find themselves on the receiving end of Mortimer's unusual habits! All in all, these stories make for hilarious reading, whether you are an adult or child alike and I would recommend them unreservedly - you will not be disappointed. I should also mention the wonderful illustrations by Quentin Blake, which capture the spirit of the stories perfectly. Quentin Blake is perhaps best well known for his Roald Dahl book illustrations, but he has illustrated numerous other Children's books. Having read many Children's books, I would have to say that I have not come across anything really similar to the Arabel and Mortimer stories. They have a charm all of their own. The closest resemblance would probably be Michael Bond's 'Paddington' stories, as they are about a bear who comes to live with a family in London called the 'Browns'. Paddington creates plenty of chaos, but is loved by his adopted family. Mortimer has similar traits, except of course he is a raven and behaves in typical raven-like manner. Unlike Paddington, Mortimer is only able to say two words; Kaaark! and Nevermore! but he can express more meaning with those two words than anyone (at least to Arabel, who always understands him). The Arabel and Mortimer Stories
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'The Escaped Black Mamba' also published as, 'Arabel and the Escaped Black Mamba' and 'Arabel, Mortimer and the Escaped Black Mamba' is all about a misunderstanding. When Arabel and Mortimer plan to spend an evening with their babysitter, Chris Cross, they have no idea of the chaos that will occur.
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'The Bread Bin' also published as, 'Mortimer's Bread Bin' is a touching story about Mortimer and Arabel's growing friendship. Mortimer wants to sleep in the bread bin, but Mrs Jones is very much against the idea. Things get worse when Arabel takes Mortimer roller-skating with her three nasty cousins Cindy, Mindy and Lindy. But Arabel gets very sick and while in hospital, it is Mortimer who saves her.
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'Mortimer's Tie'. When the Jones family are invited on a cruise to Spain onboard the Queen of Bethnal Green, they are obliged of course to take Mortimer along with them. But even they could not predict that he would end up floating out to sea locked inside a grand piano.
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In the 'The Spiral Stair', Mortimer and Arabel get to spend a day at the zoo. After some giraffes have pinched his doughnuts, Mortimer plans a terrible revenge...
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'Mortimer and the Sword Excalibur' tells the story of King Arthur's sword, which has been found during an excavation of Rainwater Crescent Public Gardens. Of course Mortimer is never one to stay away from large public events and soon wreaks havoc in a way that only he can...
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'The Mystery of Mr Jones's Disappearing Taxi'. A series of strange events unfold in this story. It appears that someone is driving Mr Jones's taxi late at night and books are mysteriously disappearing from Rumbury Library. And for once Mortimer doesn't seem to be the one to blame. All signs point to the abandoned tower block, Rumbury Tower Heights. What secrets does it hold within?
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In 'Mortimer's Cross', Mortimer is subjected to a bath by Great Aunt Olwen and is not at all amused. He is even less amused when Aunt Olwen accidentally sends him parcelled up to the Admiralty Research Station in North Wales. However, he has his revenge with the Admiralty's radio tower.
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'Mortimer's Portrait on Glass'. The Jones family tours Ireland on a horse and cart on their way to visit Great Aunt Rosie Ryan. On their way they call at a glass factory and Mortimer leaves the place in pieces (literally). But Arabel rescues the factory from a huge iceberg and the Jones family see their first real dinosaur...
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'Mortimer Says Nothing'. Mrs Jones works herself in to a state after an unexpected announcement by the Rumbury Ladies Kitchen Club. Mortimer helps in a way that only he can. Great quantities of macaroons, meringues and cream are spilt, not to mention a large quantity of prawns and Rainwater Crescent is invaded by the mice of Cantilever Green.'Arabel's Birthday'. Arabel's horrible cousin Annie (whose eyes are the colour of curried beans) takes a terrible revenge on Mortimer, for destroying her beloved Winky doll and the Jones's house becomes a hideout for the Rumbury Rakes, a gang of smugglers. 'Mr Jones's Rest Cure'. Mortimer's misbehaviour, his collection of wasps and Mr Jones's bad temper all help to catch a phantom paint-dauber. 'A Call at the Joneses.' A telephone prankster causes more confusion than even he could possibly intend... |
'Mortimer and Arabel'. Written by Joan Aiken and her daughter Lizza Aiken, this is the first full length Arabel and Mortimer story. This story has been made into a twelve part TV series by the BBC (more on this later). All the neighbours of Rainwater Crescent hold Mortimer responsible, when their gardens are sabotaged, only days before the judging of the Rumbury Town Garden Gala. However Mortimer isn't interested in gardens, he is more concerned about his pocket (the one Arabel made for him to keep his combs in). He is not too happy when it is stolen and is determined to track down the thieves. As is to be expected, more mayhem and madness ensues.
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'Mayhem in Rumbury'. Also published as 'Mortimer and the Ghost'. Written by Joan Aiken and her daughter Lizza Aiken, this features two more stories about Mortimer the raven. In 'May Day in Rumbury' Mortimer is trying to build a nest out of umbrellas, but nobody will give him a moments peace. The Joneses' house is full of people, antique books and cows, with everyone making preparations for May Day.In 'Mortimer and the Ghost' things take a spooky turn at Rumbury bank when the four-hundred-year old ghost of a hapless debtor starts walking about the building. Mortimer's curiosity as usual gets the better of him, but can he help prevent everyone else from helping themselves to the ghostly gold? |
'Mortimer's Pocket'. A picture book based on the first Mortimer and Arabel puppet TV series. All the neighbours agree that Arabel and her pet raven Mortimer have a lot to answer for when their gardens are sabotaged only days before the judging of the Rumbury Town Garden Gala. But Mortimer isn't at all interested in gardens, especially when his pocket is stolen.
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'Mortimer's Mine'. There are two versions of 'Mortimer's Mine'. One is a complete 125-page storybook. The other is a picture book with still photographs. Both are based on a story from the second Mortimer and Arabel puppet TV series. When Mortimer starts using a large hole in next-door's garden to store all kinds of objects, we just know there will be problems.
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Please note, that most of the Arabel and Mortimer stories are short stories, of approx 80 pages in length. They have been published in separate volumes but also in collection books. These typically had three or four stories combined in the one volume. The books collections are:
Some of these titles may be out of print. In addition, a number of Arabel and Mortimer stories have also been released as audio book tapes. |
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Arabel and Mortimer on TV
Arabel and Mortimer first appeared on TV in 'Jackanory' in the 1970s. This popular Children's series featured famous celebrities reading different stories each week. Many of Joan Aiken's Mortimer stories were broadcast and they became very popular. The first story, 'Arabel's Raven' was read by Roy Kinnear. Later stories were read by Bernard Cribbins among others.
The puppet series is very similar to the books, the puppets are modelled on Quentin Blake's original drawings. The voiceovers are also excellent and the whole production is first rate. The TV series is shown from time to time on CBBC. |
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'Arabel's Raven' is the first story in the series and explains how Mortimer the raven comes to live at Rainwater Crescent, how he and Arabel become firm friends and how he foils the Cash and Carat gang at Rumbury Town train station.
In the mid 1990s a new puppet adaptation was made by the BBC. Two series have so far been produced. The first series was entitled, 'Mortimer and Arabel' and a BBC book was also released to go with it. This was written by Joan Aiken and her daughter Lizza, and was the first time someone else had collaborated on a Mortimer story. Lizza Aiken has since been involved in writing the second series. The first series was released on video. There are twelve episodes of approx fifteen minutes in length (nearly three hours worth).