The Enid Blyton Society

I was really impressed by yours, Anita, especially as I don't think you have a Show Book to study in order to help you make it! You seemed to get everything 'just right'. The concertina is probably the hardest bit to work out but yours looks just like the real thing. I'm using my Mary Mouse Show Book as an example to help me get measurements right etc.

I think this is a fun project. Good luck to those who want to participate!

You're right that I don't own a Werner Laurie Showbook, Rob. I used the following template but adapted it, which is why my "peep show" is probably a bit smaller than the Showbooks and has only five "layers" instead of six or seven:

http://wp.robertsabuda.com/pop-make-new-york-peep-show/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a slightly better photo of my Sea of Adventure "peep show":

Looks great, Anita - a really nice 'peep show'! The version you followed in the link is very similar to the original Show Books - the main difference being that there are three 'tabs' on each of the Show Book 'levels' attaching them to the concertina, and as you say the Show Books might be a bit bigger - roughly 19cm x 16 cm.

Very impressive, Anita.

Wow, Anita! I wish I did have the time to make one of those. Well done you.

Thanks, everyone! I was inspired by Tony's article on the Werner Laurie Showbooks in Journal 62.

Rob Houghton wrote:The version you followed in the link is very similar to the original Show Books - the main difference being that there are three 'tabs' on each of the Show Book 'levels' attaching them to the concertina, and as you say the Show Books might be a bit bigger - roughly 19cm x 16 cm.

Yes, mine is only about 13.5 cm x 9.5 cm. I used nail scissors for most of the cutting out, which was quite fiddly in places.

Here's my effort - a Famous Five WL Show Book.

It was very fiddly to cut out! I drew the backgrounds but used Eileen Soper's illustrations for characters etc, as you can see. I photocopied the original Show Book cover for my cover, just to add some authenticity!

Its a bit difficult to take good photos of these because the photo tends to knock out the 3D effect, and also may camera tends to focus on the 'middle ground' leaving other areas blurred. But - thought I'd post a few pics.

Very impressive, Rob.

Well the artwork is certainly not in the same class as Betty Maxey's,but I still have to give credit where it's due and say jolly well done Rob!

Thanks both!

Of course, Pete - NOBODY is in the same class as Betty Maxey!!

That looks lovely, Rob - bright and cheerful! A very pleasing arrangement too. As a child I'd certainly have preferred that to Mary Mouse or Rubbalong!

That's fantastic, Rob! Well done.

Thank you both! Who knows - I might make another one later...Noddy or maybe Barney Mysteries...

I enjoy being creative and don't do so much these days as I used to.

I agree I'd much rather have had a Famous Five one as a child, rather than Mary Mouse or Rubbalong. I'm sure that if they'd made a Famous Five one before the other two the Show Books wouldn't have died such a death, as the cutting out wouldn't have been beyond the capabilities of the intended age-range!

Very impressive, Rob. I would like to see one based on the Barney books.