Secret Seven Illustrator Comparison
- Daisy
- Posts: 16632
- Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
- Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Would the two figures in the foreground be adults? The hat and the arm round the person next to the hat wearer might suggest so. There are 7 children not counting these two and the toddler.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
Society Member
Society Member
- 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: Secret Seven Illustrations
At the end of the book, Susie and Binkie etc get invited to share the firework and bonfire party held by the Seven...although I still don't think any of Susie's friends include toddlers!
'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
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
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19308
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Well, it could be that the illustrator hadn't read the book, but had simply been told that it's about seven children and one of them has an annoying little sister, so...
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26858
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Perhaps the publishers thought it was irresponsible to show children near a bonfire with no adults present, even though the children are in charge of the bonfire and fireworks in the text - unless the story has been altered! The toddler may have been introduced so the Seven don't lose too much street cred by being seen with adults, the latter being needed mainly to supervise the toddler!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
I would have thought that the illustrator expected young children there, and drew one. Don't fall into the trap of expecting modern illustrators of reading the books!
Society Member
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26858
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Funnily enough, none of the other Tony Ross covers feature a toddler. I noticed too that the Seven are shown standing near a blazing shed (which is supposed to be a summerhouse - and surely the fire didn't get that bad!) without adult supervision on the cover of Good Work, Secret Seven:
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19308
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
That's a terribly unrealistic fire. I was also going to ask why the girl at the front has a tail, but then realised it's her leg stuck out the back...
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
I suppose many will still prefer that sort of 'artwork' to Betty Maxey's efforts.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- John Pickup
- Posts: 4894
- Joined: 30 Oct 2013, 21:29
- Favourite book/series: Barney mysteries
- Favourite character: Snubby
- Location: Notts
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
I don't, Pete. I'd sooner look at Betty's work than that rubbish.
Society Member
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
These new covers don't appeal to me, but I'm sure they appeal to the youngsters. And as Moonraker has already said, the illustrators probably haven't even read the books.
As for the fireworks picture, well the illustrator probably thought everyone was watching a bonfire, not just the S.S. and popped in a family, which included young toddlers.
I don't think we should look too deeply into these covers, they don't always reflect what the book is about.
As for the fireworks picture, well the illustrator probably thought everyone was watching a bonfire, not just the S.S. and popped in a family, which included young toddlers.
I don't think we should look too deeply into these covers, they don't always reflect what the book is about.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19308
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Which is sad, because young readers picking up the book and forming expectations of what it's about - let's face it, people DO judge books by their covers - may get a wrong impression and be surprised when they read it!Julie2owlsdene wrote:I don't think we should look too deeply into these covers, they don't always reflect what the book is about.
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- 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: Secret Seven Illustrations
I'm still not convinced that young readers WOULD love these covers. I know they're supposedly the results of endless research etc etc but I still get the feeling its the publisher saying 'these ARE what kids like!!'. Its a bit like the BBC being told to stop making popular programmes!!
'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
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
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Yes, I think a lot of it is the publishers, Robert.
At the moment there are a lot of black book covers because the publishers like them. The author doesn't always have a say on the cover, unless they really push. My hubby has had to 'push' for the covers he wanted on his books.
At the moment there are a lot of black book covers because the publishers like them. The author doesn't always have a say on the cover, unless they really push. My hubby has had to 'push' for the covers he wanted on his books.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
- 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: Secret Seven Illustrations
I've always felt the fire was misrepresented by Bruno Kay in the original book too - particularly the 'summer house' which looks more like a very solid and yet decaying brick built shed covered in crumbling plaster!Anita Bensoussane wrote:Funnily enough, none of the other Tony Ross covers feature a toddler. I noticed too that the Seven are shown standing near a blazing shed (which is supposed to be a summerhouse - and surely the fire didn't get that bad!) without adult supervision on the cover of Good Work, Secret Seven:
'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
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
Re: Secret Seven Illustrations
Even if they did do 'endless research', who did they ask, and what other options were they given? Were the questions put in such a way as to influence the answer etc. etc.Robert Houghton wrote:I'm still not convinced that young readers WOULD love these covers. I know they're supposedly the results of endless research etc etc but I still get the feeling its the publisher saying 'these ARE what kids like!!'. Its a bit like the BBC being told to stop making popular programmes!!
I'm sure I read an article, either on the forums, or in a Journal, that showed that a group of children were given a choice of FF drawings by Betty Maxey and Eileen Soper, and asked which they preferred, and they actually went for a mix of the two. Which suggests to me, that children aren't that bothered by the illustrations if the story is good.
Society Member