Secret Seven Illustrator Comparison

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
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Daisy
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Daisy »

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.
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

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!
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Courtenay »

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... :roll:
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

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!
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Moonraker »

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!
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

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:

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"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Courtenay »

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... :shock:
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by pete9012S »

I suppose many will still prefer that sort of 'artwork' to Betty Maxey's efforts. :cry:
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by John Pickup »

I don't, Pete. I'd sooner look at Betty's work than that rubbish.
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

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.

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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Courtenay »

Julie2owlsdene wrote:I don't think we should look too deeply into these covers, they don't always reflect what the book is about.
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! :roll:
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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

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)



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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

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.

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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

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:

Image
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!

Image
'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)



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Re: Secret Seven Illustrations

Post by Katharine »

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!! ;-)
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.

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.
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