The Wizard Story Book

Advertise items for sale. (Please note: The Enid Blyton Society is not responsible for anything listed in these forums. You buy and sell at your own risk.)
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'd normally trust Stella and Rose to know about Enid Blyton books, even though they are often expensive - but I'm puzzled by this one.

It apparently contains an Enid Blyton contribution...but I can't find it in The Cave - so I feel doubtful!

Unfortunately Stella and Rose don't name the title of the story either.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-WIZARD-ST ... Sw5cNYUl-S
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6386
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Tony Summerfield »

This is ringing feint bells with me. Years ago, somebody sent me the actual pages from a book that they were throwing away as it was falling to pieces with a photocopy of the cover and I have a feeling it was The Wizard Story Book. The story was one that was simply regurgitated from another Collins book (Children's Press), but as I didn't have the book and had no idea of the date (without which I can't put it in the Cave), I put it aside. Perhaps I should make an attempt to do something about it!
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

I messaged Stella and Roses books and they got back to me today - the story included is the one you recently featured in The Journal - 'The Best Christmas Tree of All' :-D The date they give is 1964 but I've also seen it dated 1965.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

I've now bought the book (in better condition and for much less money!) from another seller. :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17569
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by pete9012S »

Thanks for the extra detailed info guys.
I got a message back from a seller this morning that said:
Hi,
Does this book contain a story by Enid Blyton?
If so may I ask what the title of the story is please?
Thank You

Pete
Hi I cannot find a reference to Enid blyton on the contents sheet. Sorry,
:?
Last edited by pete9012S on 24 Jan 2017, 17:05, edited 1 time in total.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

Well - I'm presuming that seller wasn't Stella and Rose? As they specialise in EB books (and also know me as a customer in the past) I presume they will be accurate with what they told me. :D

My letter to Stella and Rose's Books was as follows -

'Hi

Just wondered which Enid Blyton story is included in this book?

Many thanks
Rob'

to which they replied -

"Hello Rob

Thank you for your enquiry. The Enid Blyton story is called: The Best Christmas Tree of all.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Best wishes

Catriona
Stella & Rose's Books" 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17569
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by pete9012S »

Thanks Rob.

I queried my seller's reply and just got this back:
Hi
I've been told the story might be

'The Best Christmas Tree of All'
There is the story of a Christmas tree by Helen M Turner
:?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

interesting! Oh well - I bought it and it only cost me £3 so we'll see what happens when it arrives! :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
John Pickup
Posts: 4876
Joined: 30 Oct 2013, 21:29
Favourite book/series: Barney mysteries
Favourite character: Snubby
Location: Notts

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by John Pickup »

Rob Houghton wrote: Oh well - I bought it and it only cost me £3 so we'll see what happens when it arrives! :-D
I suppose you'll probably read it, Rob. :D
Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

Maybe, lol!

I have a theory that there might be two different editions here - one with the EB story, and maybe another later version where the EB story was taken out for some reason? Who knows. :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

I've now got TWO copies of 'The Wizard Story Book' - because I had to solve the mystery! ;-) Its quite interesting - the first version I bought was the 1965 version - this doesn't have 'The Best Christmas Tree of All' in it. It's an abridged version - but not only is the book abridged, it mostly has completely different content! I've never come across this form of abridgement before!

The book that arrived today is an earlier version - unfortunately there's no date listed - and has the Enid Blyton story, with the same illustrations as Tony put in The Journal (minus the full colour one). The abridged version has 129 pages, the full version has 156 - but even so, not many of the stories are used twice! The only stories that appear in both volumes are 'Magic For Mick' by Jan Francis, Biddy's Clogs by Marjorie Groves (illustrated by Hilda Boswell) The Professor's Island by Marigold Keeble, and Rollie Comes To Stay by Jacqueline Chapple.

The abridged version has six stories that don't appear in the original earlier printing. while the original has five different stories that didn't appear in the reprint!! :shock:

There are also six 'picture stories' in the original and only two picture stories in the reprint, and five poems in the original while there are only four in the reprint - however, two of the poems in the reprinted abridged version don't appear in the original full length version!!

Confused yet? ;-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6386
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I'm afraid that many of the Collins books can be a nightmare to put a date on!

'The Best Christmas Tree of All' can also be found in this book which I see I have put as 1962 although there is no date in the book.

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... Story+Book" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Stories are:-
The Magic Cottage by Hilda Boswell
The Best Christmas Tree of All by Enid Blyton (no colour plate)
The Secret of the Crannog by Edward Boyd
The Aristo-Cat at the Farm by Jacqueline Chapple
The Scarecrow by Victoria Stevenson
Such a Pony was Gipsy by Monica Edwards
A Party for Bruno by Anthony Buckeridge
Elizabeth Ann by Ivy L. Wallace

There are also a couple of poems. Some well-known authors here!!

I wonder where The Wizard Story Book belongs in this list? :roll:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... ollinsmisc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Katharine
Posts: 12284
Joined: 25 Nov 2009, 15:50

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Katharine »

Rob Houghton wrote:Confused yet? ;-)
Totally. :lol:

Hope you enjoy both books.
Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by Rob Houghton »

Tony Summerfield wrote:I'm afraid that many of the Collins books can be a nightmare to put a date on!

'The Best Christmas Tree of All' can also be found in this book which I see I have put as 1962 although there is no date in the book.

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... Story+Book" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I wonder where The Wizard Story Book belongs in this list? :roll:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... ollinsmisc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I would say, judging by the cover illustration style, that The Wizard Story Book might come somewhere around the same time as the two earliest books on the list - It's very much in the style of 'The Wonder Story Book' - and maybe 'The Wizard Story Book' makes a good follow-up title?

Image

Image

The stories in the unabridged version are as follows -

Bird In The Hand - by Monica Edwards illustrated by Gilbert Dunlop
The Best Christmas Tree Of All - by Enid Blyton illustrated by Jean D Howe
Magic For Mick - by Jan Francis illustrated by Joan Thompson
The Jack-in-the-box Who Got Shut In - by Peggy Stack - illustrated by Justin Michman
Biddy's Clogs - by Marjorie Groves - illustrated by Hilda Boswell
Rollie Comes To Stay - by Jacquline Chapple - no illustrator credited
The Tailor Of Thrune - by Marjorie Groves - illustrated by Hilda Boswell
The Professor's Island by Marigold Keeble - illustrated by John Daniel
Just Like Humphrey - by Francis B Clark - illustrated by Hilda McGavin
the Doll's Tea Party - by Beryl Seaton - illustrated by Yvonne Perrin

In the abridged version, the story list is as follows -

The Daffodil Farm - by Jean Meywell (illustrated by Gilbert Dunlop - though this time no illustrators are credited)
Lucas - by Janet Hepburn
Magic For Mick - by Jan Francis
Biddy's Clogs - by Marjorie Groves
O Toyo And The Travellers - by Meryon Vance
The Professor's Island - by Marigold Keeble
A Narrow Squeak - by Anne Eve
Rollie Comes To Stay - by Jacqueline Chapple
The Pixie's Gift - by Margaret Delsey
All About Fairies - by Klara


In the full version we also have six picture stories, five poems (each taking up a 'double spread') and twelve game and puzzle pages. In the abridged version we have two picture stories, four poems, including two not in the original book, and ten game and puzzle pages

It's hard to work out exactly where The Wizard Story Book fits in the list, because the original version has no date, as you know - but the abridged version is 1965. I've also seen abridged versions listed on eBay as 1964 - so presumably the full version would be 1963 or more likely 1962. 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17569
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: The Wizard Story Book

Post by pete9012S »

Thanks Rob.
I did manage to follow all you said.
Shows sometimes ebay sellers aren't being misleading with their descriptions/answers to buyers questions!
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
Post Reply