One fine bright day, Water Rat invites his friends to join him on his beloved little boat, the Saucy Nancy. He has planned a picturesque journey down the river and, afterwards, a sumptuous feast beneath the trees, with egg and cress sandwiches, marigold sponge and watermint jellies. But when some cackling ducks cause a commotion on the river, and Hare decides to man the boat, it looks like Water Rat's picnic mightn't be so perfect after all...

Alison Uttley, illustrated by Margaret Tempest