Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

[Kate Mary]

I seem to have overlooked this thread, I've been spending too much time in the Cave perhaps. There are so many gems there that I thought I'd post some links to these in case you have missed them:-

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/sear ... imal+poems" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gorgeous L R Brightwell illustrations to the Animal Poems and I love these dozen uncollected stories 'Fairy Proverbs':-

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/sear ... y+Proverbs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And if I had to choose just one issue of the Teachers' World as a favourite it would be this:-

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/blyt ... e&perid=88" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's just the TW, don't get me started on the books!

[Moonraker]

Was it the Humpy Goblin from 'The Little Singing Kettle' (sometimes retitled 'The Humpy Goblin's Kettle'?)

I have just checked and I do have that story - however, I am pretty sure that isn't the one I read to him. I don't even know which book I read the story from! If I remember, I will ask him if he remembers it - his memory is far better than mine!

[Anita Bensoussane]

I hope your grandson remembers which story it was, Nigel.

And if I had to choose just one issue of the Teachers' World as a favourite it would be this:-

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/blyt ... e&perid=88" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An excellent choice, Kate. The poems in that issue are delightful - especially 'Ships', 'Who I'd Be' and 'The Window Angel'. Shades of John Masefield and A. A. Milne! I also loved reading about how much Enid enjoyed having the opportunity to be bold and brazen when dressed as the Knave of Hearts!

[Rob Houghton]

I think many of Enid's early poems are very reminiscent of AA Milne, in particular. Many of the poems she uses in 'Silver and Gold' are very much AA Milne style poems.

[Ming]

This image from The Children of Cherry Tree Farm - it's such a lovely, inviting drawing. I read this book many years ago and have not reread it since. But since I've been living in New Zealand and getting out of the city on a frequent basis, and observing lambing season around the country, I was reminded of Tammylan, the wild man.

As Anita said in her review, life really is more worthwhile if you take an active part in things, especially those that benefits others! I don't remember if it referred to anything in particular, but I think it's a great sentiment, regardless.

[Anita Bensoussane]

That is a breathtaking illustration, Ming. It's most "inviting" as you say, and it exudes contentment, abundance, health, radiance and anticipation. It reminds me of vintage railway posters which enticed people to travel to the countryside by train and showed idyllic pastoral scenes bathed in a golden glow:



(Image taken from http://www.travelpostersonline.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

[pete9012S]

Beautiful pictures Ming and Anita,thank you.

I've been looking through the cave and enjoyed this:

Sunny Stories Calendar 1944

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... hp?id=1101" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It would be lovely if they were still producing calendars like that these days.

That 1944 one is currently for sale on ebay.
I enjoyed the little message that the giver of the calendar wrote:




http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXTREMELY-HAR ... Sw0vBUZOSO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pete9012S]

The John and Mary Books

Was looking for this title above,and as usual the cave lists the whole series.

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


Have the books ever been reviewed or featured in The Journal?

[Tony Summerfield]

The Cave isn't very helpful here, I must do something about it. All these books were made up of one short story taken from the Hodder & Stoughton Story Book series. In each case the two main characters were renamed as John and Mary and sometimes the story title was changed. This particular story comes from Enid Blyton's Lucky Story Book (story no. 11) and originally had the title 'It was Only a Little Thing'. Sadly at present this information is only available to people who have copies of my Illustrated Bibliographies - Part 4 in this case.

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

[sixret]

That's the reason I don't want to collect this series. They are rewritten from short stories that are avvailable in other collection.

[sixret]

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

Is the series above written by Enid Blyton?

[Rob Houghton]

My sister had one of the books when we were growing up - and its now in my collection - 'How John Got His Ducklings' - its a nicely illustrated story, as they all are - very 'retro' - but I dislike the fact they were altered to fit a series when they were all individual stories.

[Rob Houghton]

It's my collecting-ambition to own a Sunny Stories calendar...but I fear they are a bit out of my price range! However, I remain hopeful! I'd also like an Enid Blyton diary - even if its been filled in...in fact I think I'd prefer it if it had! Sadly, these are pretty rare on eBay etc, and also expensive.

[sixret]

I'm sure I have seen Sunny Stories calendar listing on Ebay. I'm not sure your price range, but it is worth checking, Rob.

Edit: Yes, there's one being listed on ebay. EBay item number:192036006145

[Rob Houghton]

I've seen a few but usually over £150!!