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1. Five—and a Half-Term Adventure! {Famous Five]
   Illustrations: Eileen A. Soper
   Story: Specially Written
2. Do Be Careful, Noddy!
   Illustrations: uncredited
   Story: Picture Strip - Specially Written
3. Amelia Jane and the Keys
   Illustrations: Sylvia I. Venus
   Story: Specially Written
4. Pink-Whistle Gives a Helping Hand
   Illustrations: Dorothy M. Wheeler
   Story: Specially Written
5. Brer Fox is not the Clever One!
   Illustrations: Grace Lodge
   Story: Specially Written
6. Things Always Happen to You Two
   Illustrations: Alice Bush
   Story: Specially Written
7. Mr. Twiddle's Burglar
   Illustrations: Hilda McGavin
   Story: Specially Written
8. Donald is Very Busy
   Illustrations: uncredited
   Story: Specially Written
9. An Afternoon With the Secret Seven
   Illustrations: Burgess Sharrocks
   Story: Specially Written

{ } indicates popular characters where not mentioned in the title
"I had to put in the Famous Five and the Secret Seven, of course - and Noddy."

That goes without saying I reckon and there's also a Pink-Whistle story,

"Especially as so many of you met him at the Noddy In Toyland pantomime," Enid Blyton explains.

Dare she leave Brer Rabbit out? No way, because if she did there'd be all those letters of disappointment. The various clubs are mentioned and the author remarks that she's seen thousands of her fans this year (1955 or 1956 probably) and there are also countless more boys and girls living overseas whom she's never seen at all.

Five - And A Half-Term Adventure

The boys' half-term break doesn't often coincide with the girls' but this year it has, and when the boys suggest having a swim their aunt is horrified.

"Bathe in November! You must be mad. Julian - I can't allow it."

Julian tells her not to worry. They haven't brought their swim-suits anyway, so maybe they'll take a walk to Windy Hill - it's by the sea mainly and they may even find some blackberries and nuts to pick. With that decided the Five set off with the required provisions for a Famous Five outing and soon they're at the top of Windy Hill munching sandwiches and relishing the magnificent view. Far below the train for Beckton is tearing along and the Five watch it stop at the station then start up again "... bound for Kirrin probably," Dick suggests. Then a crop of hazel nuts is discovered just waiting to be picked so they get to work with intent and as the time flits by no one notices the sun going down.

As they won't be able to walk home before dark, they decide to walk down to Beckton and catch the train. It's dark when they reach the village and whilst heading for the station Timmy surprises them by running up the town hall steps as they pass by - but who could blame him when there's a dog show in progress? However Timmy's detour is twice thwarted - once by the door keeper, and again by George who rushes after him whilst Julian runs his eyes over some posters on the wall outside.

"One or two valuable dogs here," he exclaims. "Ah, here's Timmy again; bet he wouldn't have won a single prize ... except for brains."

It's a race to the station and they arrive just as the train puffs in. They bundle into the last compartment where the only other occupants are a man and a woman - the latter nursing a shawled bundle in her arms. Upon seeing the Five they express not a little annoyance when Anne calls out that she hopes they haven't woken the baby. The man tells his companion to pull the shawl down further seeing it's rather a cold evening, and the children begin to talk. Suddenly, Timmy trots over to where the couple are sitting and starts whining and pawing at the shawl.

The next pages are filled with excitement.

The odd couple exit the train at Seagreen Halt and the kids arrive home all right and they're told that Mrs. Harris has telephoned and imparted some news that requires a person with a trifle more authority than Julian to handle such things. It's quite normal in a Famous Five story, long or short, for the police to become involved, so the Kirrin clan have a little more excitement in store for them that evening - especially Timmy

Amelia Jane and the Keys

Surprisingly, it looks as if Amelia Jane can't be blamed for the clockwork sailor's missing key so where's it gone? The toys look all over the place but with no success and the question arises - what can be done? After all, the sailor doll doesn't want to just sit around watching everyone else playing. He vetoes Amelia Jane's suggestion that he use the clockwork-mouse's key because he says it wouldn't fit, and the little tin man in his clockwork motor-car says that his key mustn't be used in case it breaks. Anyone else with a key has already gone to hide in case Amelia Jane begins thinking more laterally, so it now looks as if the sailor doll is in a cleft-stick.

Amelia-Jane will miss her games with the sailor if he can't be wound up so she looks inside the toy cupboard and happens to spy the little jumping rabbit fast asleep. In typical A. J. fashion she extracts the rabbit's key very carefully then rushes off to the sailor doll and inserts it into his back. The sailor becomes alarmed and he asks Amelia Jane to stop, but she doesn't of course. She just keeps on winding him up and then suggests they have a game. Unfortunately there's a problem because when the sailor stands up to run he begins hopping all over the place like a rabbit. All the toys stare in surprise at the funny sight and the sailor groans at he thought of having to hop everywhere from now on instead of walking.

Amelia Jane laughs like anything when she guesses why this is happening and then of course she has a mischievous thought. Why not switch a few other keys? What fun that would be, so she settles back to await her chance and sure enough by the end of next day she's collected several keys by simply offering to wind various toys up and then pocketing the keys.

This is a day to be remembered in the nursery annals and whether or not the toys will be able to forgive the naughty doll can only be imagined.

Pink-Whistle Gives a Helping Hand

One day a couple of children knock on Mr. Pink-Whistle's back door and as the little man's asleep in his room, Sooty invites the visitors in. The children have read about Sooty of course and are delighted to meet the friendly cat who bustles round making drinks and enquiring of them as to what might be wrong. The children tell him their father is dead and that Mother works awfully hard taking in people's washing and growing flowers to sell at the market. Nothing wrong with that of course, but it turns out a horrid spiteful man lives next door to them and although they may be a teensy bit noisy at times and occasionally their ball might accidentally land in the man's garden, he's very unkind to the twins' mother because of them.

"What does he do?" asks Sooty, pouring them out cups of cocoa.

It turns out their neighbour lights a bonfire when the wind is blowing in their direction and the ensuing smoke kills Mother's flowers and blackens her clean washing when it's hung out on the line. Sooty sympathises with them both and the children wonder if Mr. Pink-Whistle could put things right for them. Sooty's not quite sure how their dilemma could be 'put right,' but after handing the children a tin of biscuits, he hurries off to see if his master's awake.

Mr. Pink-Whistle's definitely conscious and also very flustered because he's promised to take tea with Mr. Winkle and it's already half-past four. Unfortunately he's got no time to meet the children but he instructs Sooty to extract a wind-spell from his bureau and give it to them with an instruction to blow a little powder into the wind when it's appropriate. He hurries off to his appointment and Sooty hands Pink-Whistle's spell to the twins who thank him kindly and rush off home.

Unfortunately, Sooty has forgotten to tell the children that just a 'little' of the spell needs to be used, so there are repercussions of a sort - and a little twist at the end of this tale.

Brer Fox Is Not The Clever One

Brer Terrapin is visiting Brer Rabbit and they both get a shock when there's a BLAMITTY-BLAM on the door. Brer Terrapin quickly hides under a saucepan that happens to be lying on the floor just before Brer Fox steps inside. This particular visitor has always got some complaint about the tricky rabbit and now it concerns the fact he's calling Brer Fox names behind his back.

As if Brer Rabbit would do any such thing!

Well, it appears he's been warned previously about this so Brer Fox has come to 'Get Him.' Brer Rabbit is told in no uncertain terms that he (Brer Fox) is the 'clever' one this time and Brer Rabbit, his mind working like a buzz saw, agrees with him. Brer Fox then commands him to say that he (Brer Fox) is cleverer than he (Brer Rabbit) is. The rascally Rabbit hesitates, and then eyeing the kitchen utensil under which Brer Terrapin is hiding, he informs Brer Fox that he's clever enough to make the saucepan move without touching it.

"Fiddlesticks!"

As the uninitiated can work out for him or her self, the saucepan does actually move at Brer Rabbit's command and when it stops, the baffled but curious fox ventures to try it for himself. He orders the saucepan to move and once again it slides further along the floor and then straight out the door. Brer Fox is very pleased with himself over this new-found ability and he strokes his whiskers. Suddenly Brer rabbit yells out,

"Saucepan, show me where Brer Wolf hid a pot of gold the other day."

Brer Fox is astonished to learn about Brer Wolf's supposed treasure trove and he decides to follow the saucepan, but Brer Rabbit must come too of course so that he can supply Brer Fox's dinner later on.

As we can guess, things don't turn out quite as planned.

Things Always Happen To You Two

"How did you get so much money" Jane asks, and Jeffrey her brother chimes in,

"You're always in luck, you two."

They're envious of the ten shilling note being shown to them by Eileen. Her sibling, Jack, explains how they'd gone on an errand yesterday for Granny and in the field near Barrows Farm they happened to discover a lost brooch in the grass. Naturally it was taken to the police and were informed the bauble belonged to one - Lady Kenwithin, thus reaping a ten shilling reward offered to anyone who found it. As the title states ... things always happen to these two and Jeffrey is a trifle annoyed about it. Eileen very generously offers to share the loot so down the lane they go, headed for the sweetshop.

Passing by Ashen Wood they detect a smoky odour and notice someone a little way off standing beside a small fire. Peering through the smoke Eileen sees none other than what looks like a postman burning leaves, amongst which are various pieces of paper.

Curious!

However, the sweetshop's call is persistent and shortly they're spending the half quid that fate has so kindly supplied. A present for Mother is bought first, which leaves one shilling and threepence for each of them. The children exit the shop with their goodies and set off home, once again passing the wood that still has a faint smell emanating from where they'd seen the postman with his fire. Jack suggests they nip across to have a quick look at the remains because he's suddenly become a little intrigued, but Jeffrey isn't interested in dead bonfires so he and his sister run off home, leaving Eileen and Jack to approach the pile of ashes. They don't seem all that interesting, but the brother and sister are in a scrutinising mood and when Jack kicks the embers around he notices something.

In the very near future, Jeffrey and Jane will once again, be parroting,

"Things always happen to you two!"

Mr. Twiddle's Burglar

Mrs. Twiddle's alarmed.

"I think someone tried to break into our house last night because there are footprints in the front flower bed," she tells her husband at breakfast. Twiddle scoffs, and remarks they were probably made by the window-cleaner and then, when his wife says there are also marks on the larder window, Twiddle has an answer to that as well - they were made by his arch enemy - Mrs. Twiddle's cat.

That evening when they're in bed Mrs. Twiddle suddenly sits up when she hears a sound. Getting out of bed she goes downstairs thinking the cat must be lurking about but as it can't be seen anywhere she slips out of the kitchen door and shines a torch round their garden. A sudden gust of wind causes the kitchen door to clatter and the sounds enters Mr. Twiddle's dream, causing him to wake abruptly.

He thinks to himself, 'Someone's prowling about, just as Mrs. Twiddle said.'

Getting up, he puts on his gown, locates a torch, and creeps downstairs to catch whosoever it might be that has ruined his sleep. The door bangs again and Mr. Twiddle, seeing it swinging back and forth comes to the conclusion that an intruder is definitely somewhere about. Suddenly he feels something brush against his legs and he aims a smack at what could only be the cat.

"Scaring me like that! Hallo, there's someone in the yard with a torch and they coming to the door!"

Twiddle takes cover, ready to pounce out at the intruder and catch him - if he's not too large of course. Fortunately, someone quite small enters the kitchen and Twiddle very bravely leaps out with a most terrifying roar and pounces. He pushes the 'intruder' over to a broom cupboard and locks the door on his prisoner.

The law has to be consulted of course and a representative of such is about to take part in a lot of unravelling and explaining - and Lord Knows What!

Donald Is Very Busy

Enid Blyton is big on bird tables and it's possible that Donald has read one of her instructive articles because he's going to make himself one. After all he's belongs to the Busy Bees Society and wears the badge, so as Mother comments -

"Busy Bees are supposed to help animals and birds."

Donald asks his mother if she can find him a flat piece of wood but being a busy housewife she suggests he complete the project all by himself, so the boy heads outside. On his way to the wood-shed he happens to glance at the upstairs window next door where Mr. Holdworthy resides. Unfortunately the elderly man can't walk but he waves from his bed and Donald calls out that he's about to make a bird-table, before disappearing into the shed. He manages to locate part of a box for the base plus an old broom-handle to support it, and soon Mr. Holdworthy is watching with interest as Donald stands the broom-handle in a suitable place, nails on the tray, and finishes his bird-table in no time at all.

'How easy it was,' Donald thinks to himself and then, remembering what he'd read, he searches out a few twigs and nails them on the back of his table. After some food and a dish of water is placed in position everything's ready for the birds to descend on their new food source.

Success!

Feathered friends of all kinds fly down for a meal and they're extremely entertaining to watch. Mr. Holdworthy also enjoys the spectacle immensely although he wishes the bird-table was a little nearer to his window. He has an idea. Calling Donald into his room he puts forth a suggestion, that supplies an opportunity for this particular 'Busy Bee' to become financially better off than many of his contemporaries. The story ends pleasantly and contains some excellent pictures to boot.

An Afternoon With The Secret Seven

If the Kirrin clan can receive pride of place at the beginning, then it's only fitting the book should end with Enid Blyton's group of second best detectives namely The Secret Seven. I think the description would fit because Enid Blyton's best would surely be Peterswood's Find-Outers, seeing their adventures contain a degree more danger - and some of the mysteries they confronted took a healthy amount of inspired brainwork to solve.

At the beginning of this short tale the Secret Seven are ensconced in their well-used shed at the bottom of Peter and Janet's garden. Lemonade and peppermints are on the menu and it's a sweltering summer's day. Scamper's in agony because it's so hot, and the S.S. are generally bored because no one can think of anything stimulating to do. Footsteps are heard and then a knock comes at the door. One of the Secret Seven has a sister who can be utterly annoying at times and, as she's not beyond invading their domain, head-boy Peter yells out that a password is required for entry. The visitor has no idea what the current one might be but as Peter and Janet's mother is the bearer of more iced lemonade she's admitted without any more ado. She also has an interesting suggestion for the Secret Seven.

"Why not assist at the vicarage Garden Party being held this afternoon?"

Apparently the Harris children had been originally booked for this duty but one of them has measles so none of the others can attend of course. The Secret Seven could help with all kinds of things, particularly the hoopla-stall and cocoanut-shy, so come half past two the Seven are in the vicarage garden ready for action. Mrs. James bustles up to ensure they know what to do and Janet informs her that she and Peter are experienced at running a hoopla stall so everything's fine, but before she leaves Mrs. James advises them to be careful with the money because sometimes dishonest people frequent garden sales.

Mrs. James and the Vicarage are rather blessed today, because seven of the garden party participants are remarkably experienced when it comes to outwitting wrongdoers, so it looks as if she can rest in peace. One and all take their positions and things run like clockwork as hordes of eager customers attempt to win toys, cigarettes, chocolate bars, playing cards and other goodies. Peter's forgotten to bring a bag so he uses his cap to store the money in whilst Jack, whose working the cocoanut shy, simply slides any money into his pocket. Round four o'clock Peter's mother takes six of them away for tea and ices leaving Peter in charge of the stalls seeing he's, in his own words, " ... the Secret Seven leader." Scamper stays with him also but as refreshments are being served, few customers are around thus leaving Peter with little to do.

Fred Hilton who's in charge of the pony rides asks him if he'd like a ride. Peter thinks he might as well so placing his cap of money under the stall and leaving Scamper on guard he joins Fred. Soon the others return and tell him to scoot off for his share of tea and ices, which he does and then when he returns to the hoopla stall, Janet asks him where the cap of money is seeing it's no longer under the table.

Hallo, Hallo, Hallo!

---

P.10:

Enid Blyton often uses place names that have appeared in other books but Windy Hill, familiar as it might sound, doesn't appear to be a repeat destination - at least not in any of the Kirrin books.

When they're in Beckton Anne notices that Robin Hood is on at the cinema. This might have been the Disney version which appeared in 1952. There are others of course including the TV series compilation, and Hal Wallis's 1938 version - considered one of the best.

A dog show held in the evening sounds a little unusual but perhaps the British, who are great dog-lovers, hold them at any hour of the day.

Times change all right - the train they caught 'puffed' its way into the station.

P.34:

Eventually when his motor-car runs down, its driver wails for the missing key and Amelia Jane indicates she'd had put it into her pocket by mistake. She then pulls out the clockwork clown's key and manages to get it into the motor-car for a full rewind whereby everyone's treated to the sight of a somersaulting car ... bump, bumpity-bump!

P.46:

Sooty is Mr. Pink-Whistles cat of course and we can only guess as to its colour.

Great pictures as usual by Dot Wheeler - and plenty of them.

P.60:

Enid Blyton obtained a considerable amount of mileage from her use of Joel Harris's characters, and many fans might prefer her interpretations to the originals.

P.76:

Jack and Eileen's surname is Howes, and the postman's is Harrison.

P.91:

Enid Blyton tales are full of interesting snippets which might not be noticed until the nth reading is conducted. Who would have observed that Mr. Twiddle, when thinking of his wife, calls her 'Mrs. Twiddle?'

Would a broom cupboard have a lock with a key? It may have had one of those catches that automatically engages when slammed shut.

P.104:

Certain Blyton artists are well-remembered. Individuals such as Eileen Soper, Jeanne Farrar, Hilda McGavin, Joyce Johnson, E. H. Davie, and Dorothy Wheeler amongst others, stand apart. The illustrations for Donald Is Very Busy have a familiar look about them but the artist is sadly uncredited.

Female illustrators are well represented in the Blyton collection of books.

P.120:

In Fun For The Secret Seven, Peterswood is actually named as the group's home town. I think most EB fans would not accept this as gospel but rather as - 'not necessarily intended.'

In this modern age one doesn't hear all that much about measles, but for the older generation it was practically a universal sickness - and infectious.

Extras:

Brainteasers.

A Noddy comic strip spread over several sections which is entitled, 'Do Be Careful Noddy.'

A five page article labelled 'Hunt The Flower,' with illustrations and plenty of relevant information.

A picture crossword on Page. 33.

An illustration to colour that shows some toys playing with none other than 'Noddy and Big Ears.'

Instructions on how to make a little theatre. The 'theatre' resembles one of those Rubbalong or Mary Mouse 'Werner 'Laurie Show Books' that appeared in the early Fifties ... all viewable in the Fabulous Cave of Books. The figures supplied for tracing are from Snow White.

Enid Blyton's clubs are mentioned - The Magazine Club caters to spastic children; The Busy Bees Club, of which EB is the 'Queen Bee' no less, is connected with the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals; Famous Five Club profits go to the Beaconsfield Children's Home, and the Sunbeam Society raises funds for blind children.

If you want to learn about keeping a pet tortoise, turn to Page #88.

How do you make paper dolls? Instructions on P. 116. These illustrations are hidden by default to ensure faster browsing. Loading the illustrations is recommended for high-speed internet users only.