MAGGIE THE STREAMLINED TAXI

Hilary's first published story for children is the tale of Maggie, the eponymous heroine and her driver Jim.  His somewhat chubby physique frustrates his desire to become a fireman, but he is entrusted with Maggie, the newest and fastest taxi in the fleet.

Their adventures include adopting a cat after nearly running it over: "they called her Miranda after their great-aunt Miranda who would never look before she crossed the road."

Drama ensues when they encounter a crashed fire engine in the midst of the Blitz and Maggie is pressed into service. The basis of this book's plot and many of the scenes depicted were inspired by Hilary's experience as a volunteer ambulance driver in East London during the Blitz.