'123456789 Benn' by David McKee

Feeling shut in at home, Mr Benn returns to the costume shop and tries on a stripy convict’s outfit. Stepping through the changing room door he finds himself inside a big, grey prison filled with crying prisoners. One of the convicts, Smasher Lagru, explains that he and his fellow prisoners are all sad because their surroundings are grey and drab. Mr Benn immediately comes up with a plan to brighten up their lives…

Illustrated by David McKee

Published:
1970

Publisher:
Dobson

Notes:
*Featuring Mr Benn and the Shopkeeper, and introducing Smasher Lagru

*It was proposed that this story be made into a television episode called 'Prisoner', but the BBC vetoed its production as the story was felt to be too controversial