Photography: Tim Walker presents a celebration of grannies in new book

Sometimes when we receive books in the studio they’re titles we’ve requested, or at least ones about which we have heard on the grapevine. But there is a third category; books that arrive out the blue and tickle our fancy through their complete randomness. So its as with The Granny Alphabet, a new book from iconic fashion photographer Tim Walker (and purveyor of one of the best exhibitions of the past 12 months).

In its foreword, Tim explains that he is drawn to the “brilliantly reckless lack of responsibility” which unites the very old and the very young, and he describes the new project as “part photographic love letter to the elderly and part documentation of the dying breed of little old ladies who live down the lane.” The A-Z of strange, sweet and sometimes slightly scary oldies is an unexpected treat from a photographer whose reputation for quirkiness is well-documented, and the book is accompanied by a second tome from illustrator Lawrence Mynott who has turned his own talents to mirroring Tim’s affectionate alphabetical celebration of the OAP.

The Granny Alphabet, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.