Nicholas and the Fast-Moving Diesel - Edward Ardizzone. Published by Oxford University Press, Hardback (illustrated boards and dust jacket nad ) 1959; reprint. Originally published by Eyre & Spottiswoode. Illustrated: some black and white, some colour. Unpaginated. This is an illustrated children's book about the adventures of children Nicholas, Peter, Jock the dog and a train. At the time of publication of this version, the book had been out of print for many years, and was partly rewritten and entirely redrawn. The fly-leaf gives a suggested reading age of 4-8 years. Edward Ardizzone (1900 - 1979) was a famous painter, printmaker, war artist, author and illustrator of books, many of them for children. He served for a short spell in an anti-aircraft unit, then was assigned to the War office and posted overseas as a full-time official war artist. Ardizzone visited countries such as France, Belgium, Tunisia and Sicily as well as travelling in the UK. After the War, Ardizzone resumed i