Monica Dickens (1915–1992) was a British author who is known for her semi-autobiographical novels as well as her work in children's fiction and detective stories. She was the great-granddaughter of the famous Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. Monica Dickens worked in a variety of jobs, including as a cook and a journalist, before turning to writing. Her first book, "One Pair of Hands" (1939), humorously detailed her experiences as a cook-general, while "One Pair of Feet" (1942) chronicled her time as a hospital nurse during World War II. Her writing is characterized by its wit, vivid characterizations, and social observation. In addition to adult novels, she established a successful career as a children's author with series such as "The Follyfoot" books, and she is also remembered for the "World's End" series, which focuses on the lives of a group of children living in a communal garden of a large house. Dickens was committed to social causes and was a founder of the Samaritans charity in the United States, a branch of the UK-based organization providing confidential emotional support to people in distress.