The Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Discuss Blyton's magazines, short stories and poetry here.
Post Reply
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17572
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

The Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by pete9012S »

Image

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/maga ... p?magid=86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A heartwarming winter tale that started out way back in 1926.
It also appeared in NEWS CHRONICLE BOYS' AND GIRLS' STORY BOOK NO. 4 1936

http://imgur.com/a/En1fO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26768
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: The Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

An enchanting tale, its whimsical elements harking back to stories like Christmas-Tree Land by Mrs. Molesworth, At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald and The Snow-Image (also known as The Snow-Child) by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I've got The Magic Snow-Bird in an Award book, but it's great to see the delicate Sylvia Venus illustrations as they enhance the feeling of magic.
"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
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 Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by Rob Houghton »

I've read it in the News Chronicle version, and I think also in the pitkin version. I find it a bit bizarre compared to other Blyton magical tales - which isn't a criticism - as its much more like a fantasy story than her usual magical tales, and it is very enjoyable.

It's interesting that in the late 1920's, early 1930's Blyton seemed to write quite a few stories like this, that were slightly longer than her later magical tales. Stories like A Cat In Fairyland, Bobbo's Magic Stocking, The Goblin Aeroplane, Crispin The Giant Slayer and The Little Roundy Man - all of which were longer and more detailed than her usual stories about magical happenings. :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: 17572
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: The Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by pete9012S »

I hadn't read the story before,and could imagine if I was in the right age group for the story (6-8)??? I would really have enjoyed it.

I always tend to overlook Enid's early stories for little ones,but always enjoy reading them when I hunt them out.
Any further suggestions to research would be most welcome Rob - and anyone else.
" 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 Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by Rob Houghton »

Any of those I've mentioned are well worth reading, Pete - and Crispin the Giant Slayer is an interesting one, as its a good example of Enid writing a story along very traditional fairy-tale lines, as are The Tower in Ho-Ho Wood and The Peasant Boy and the Prince, which is along the same lines as 'The Prince and the Pauper' :-)
'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
Courtenay
Posts: 19274
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: The Magic Snow Bird - 1926

Post by Courtenay »

Sorry I didn't get to this one when you originally posted it, Pete. An enchanting little Christmas tale — shows Enid already had her knack for telling a good story early in her career. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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)
Post Reply