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Just turned 41, still love Barney, Fatty and 'the Five.' Re the debate on Betty Maxey or Eileen Soper, I love them both and think they captured their respective time periods perfectly.

Hi Barney. I'd like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. Once again I'd like to thank you for this wonderful website, where like-minded people can meet and wallow in the glory of this great author/storyteller. Enjoy all and stay safe.

Just to say Happy New Year to all the Blytonians all over this amazing planet!!!

Thanks Barney, It's nice of you to say that but I doubt that I will ever become a Find-Outer, although I could start a club that could be a Find-Outers tribute group! Just to say that K.9 is quite possibly my favourite character on British TV!!!! Two licks and and a woof, Cora :3 xxx PS: Affirmative Master!!!

Hi Barney - hope you have a great new year - lots of big new bones like I hope to get!!! And a Happy New Year to everyone else here at the EBS as well. Cheers and beers, - oops, I mean bones! Timmy

I too am looking for an audio cassette book that I treasured as a child and would love to get a copy for my daughter if it is possible. It was a collection of short Christmas stories (not sure how many), it had stories about a naughty elf and children who found £5 in an old lady's pocket and I think there was one about a snowman. The music that played in between each story was Good King Wenceslas sung by a choir. Hope this is not too vague for you. x x x

A very happy new year to all of you! Good luck for the year ahead.

Hello, Does anybody remember a story about a girl who wondered why she never had any friends, because she was not nasty to anyone, but then her teacher told her it was because she did not help her with things like the other girls in her class would? I am desperate to find a copy. Thank you.

Hi Barney, Hope you had a great Christmas and spent the day with a nice juicy bone and watching Dr. Who! I hope all Enid fans had a great Christmas and wish everyone a great New Year too!

OK Barney, I have done some research and have found out that Enid Blyton's first book was a collection of poems called 'Child Whispers,' published in 1922.

Hello again Barney, it's Cora. Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while but I have been on holiday. Just wondering if you knew what Enid Blyton book was mentioned in Jacqueline Wilson's book 'Double Act'. I was also wondering what date Enid Blyton's first book was published? Best wishes, Cora

Dear Barney, It is extremely upsetting that Enid Blyton was not recognised for her brilliance as a writer during her lifetime. She should have received a DBE at least. I suppose the many criticisms of her work during the 60s made this politically incorrect. Do they award such awards posthumously? I am South African so I am not sure of this. She truly deserves one, as does Roald Dahl. Do you know anything about this?

Dear Barney, Do you remember one of the Headmistresses saying, "it is not what ... (name of school) can do for you, but what you can do for ..."? I have a feeling John F Kennedy pinched that one from Enid Blyton. Cheers, Hartley

Dear Barney, I'm new to this site, what can you do on this site? I love Enid Blyton books, I've got a collection of them, can you read her stories online on this site?

Dear Barney, When I tried out the Character Quiz I was told that I was a bit of a mystery!

I just saw the Character Quiz in the Interactive Island section by Anita and Hannah. Wow,that must have been a tough quiz to design as Enid wrote so many books.

A Very Happy Anniversary to this site Barney, and a very special thank you to all the helpers behind the scenes who make this site the success it is and the success it deserves. Julie P.S. Hope you had a lovely Christmas Day, Barney, with plenty of turkey to eat.

Happy Anniversary to the site. You guys have done a wonderful job on it.

Happy Anniversary to us all! Who would have thought when the website began four years ago that we'd get so many visitors posting so many messages?! It's a pleasure working with you, Barney. Hope you had a nice long walk!

Hey, it's Christmas Day and that's a very special day for the website as it is our 4th birthday. We went on air on Christmas Day 2004, so who says that dogs can't count! My paws can't take all the credit though, I have had a bit of help from Matt, Keith, Anita and Trevor, and I suppose I had better mention Tony as I am still hoping for a walk! But the real thanks go to all those who have been kind enough to use this website. Between you, you have posted almost 45 thousand messages on the forums and I raise a bone to the future (my water bowl is too heavy) - cheers everyone!

Hi, My name is Wajeeha and I love Enid Blyton's books and I want to know where The Famous Five live in real life.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas . Have a great New Year. Hopefully, Santa will be extra good to you. Enjoy your holidays! Merry Christmas to all the Enid Blyton fans out there!

Can I wish everyone a happy and healthy and prosperous Christmas and New Year. Thanks Barney.

Hi Barney Would you, on my behalf, please wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. This includes you, of course! Trevor

Hi everybody, Just to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

Hi Barney, Cora again. Just to say that I meant the Five Find-Outers. Just to ask that I am 10 years old and was wondering what you would recommend for my age group...? Please write back, Cora M.

Hi.. I'm a HUGE fan of Enid Blyton.. I've read all her Famous Five series at least twenty times.. I've also read the Secret Seven series.. every book of Enid Blyton is great.. her books are my best companion.. Enid Blyton is the best!! I hope I get to meet the Famous Five in person..

Hello, my name is Cora and I have fallen in love with Enid Blyton books, as we read them in class see, as I'm only a child! I love all of them, but I must say that I love the mystery and the Faraway Tree stories. Bye for now, Cora M.

I am hoping you may have time to help me. I have been searching for the publications of the books that I appeared on the cover of as a child. I am looking for the cover designs by the Button Design Co. used on both the Mammoth and Dean editions of The Twins at St. Clare's and The O'Sullivan Twins - on this book I am the blonde in the middle of the two, with the can of sardines!!! I thoroughly enjoy Enid Blyton and was most impressed as a child to have the opportunity to work amongst her books. As a mum I have raised my daughter on Enid Blyton - Brer Rabbit and such like as a baby, I also had the excitement of introducing my daughter to my favourite ever series, the Magic Faraway Tree stories, it is also her favourite. She is currently reading the Famous Five, my own copy from when I was a child. It would be great to give my daughter a copy of the actual books that I was pictured on, I really hope you can help me.

Hi Barney. Just a short note to say Merry Christmas to you all and to Blytonians all the world over.

Dear Barney, Hope is not my real name. [Hope you guessed it earlier :-)] It is merely an English translation of my real name.

Dear Barney, are you named after Barney in the 'Barney R' series? Hoping that doesn't sound too cheeky, Hope

Hello to all...I'm not British...I belong to Pakistan and I've been a huge fan of Enid Blyton since my childhood. I would love to be a member of this society and I do my best to let everyone in the family know about Enid Blyton and read her. Bless you all...Take care. Bye.

Does anyone have any information on John Moon [son of Walter] who was a pupil of Enid Blyton at Southernhay, Surbiton, as I need to contact him or any of his children? Yours, Brian Ekins

Aren't there any 'Secret series' reviews to be found here? I just visited this site and it looks nice.

Hi Barney. When I was small I read a Noddy story about Tessie Bear finding a star in a pail of water, can you tell me if this story is still in print?

What special privileges does a member get? (Other than the Journal). A request, Barney - As a Christmas/New Year present, why don't you make some of the Fanfic available to non-members? :-) (Those novels do seem very tempting to me as I've absolutely nothing to read and the holidays are around the corner.)

I think the book you are searching for is "Hurrah for Little Noddy," Joyce. Chapter Two is called 'Noddy Goes to Work,' and he sets off to Four-Chimney House where he understands help may be required with the spring cleaning. He tells the doll who lives there that he he would be good at that as he has plenty of spring in him and is full of leaps and bounds! As the sweep hasn't turned up, she asks him to sweep the four chimneys. He does indeed get dirty, and washes afterwards in the kitchen sink!

Hi Joyce, There is a book in the Noddy "Tell Me a Story" Books series called "Noddy Sweeps a Chimney – Big-Ears' Bicycle" Surprisingly, I haven't read it myself, so I can't say, but this might be the right one in the Cave of Books section. (Hi Barney!)

How many St Clare's books did Enid write?

I am looking to buy a 1st edition of The Land of Far-Beyond for my wife, could you tell me what I should be looking to pay?

Can you tell me about the early life and influences of Enid Blyton.

Can you tell me the name of the Noddy book where he helps to clean a rich doll's house? I think he cleans the chimney and gets all dirty.

Dear Barney, If I don't want the Journal then also, can I become a member of this society? How?

Hi - I am desperately trying to find a full set of the Adventure series books for my godson... I guess I always assumed they would be readily available but no such luck! Ideally I'd like a secondhand pre "politically corrected" set like I have that my mum fortunately kept intact - anyone have any suggestions?? Many thanks.

Hi! My sisters and I are trying to track down an audio cassette of stories which we 'played to death' as kids. We can remember the theme music, but not the name of the tape. We would have listened to it in the mid 80s. There was one story called 'Amelia's Money Box' and there were stories about toys going on strike when a little boy didn't look after them, a story about a caterpillars party, a story about someone stealing a special button from a tin full of buttons, a story about a walking stick which had something to do with it being lost and was eventually found hanging off a plum/apple tree as someone had used it to shake the branches to get the fruit. There were more besides, and I can't remember if they were all on one tape or on two. I remember though that they all had a very strong moral message which left us perhaps overly scared of the consequences of being naughty! We loved them! Any help would be much appreciated.

Barney, you told me that you send a newspaper or magazine of Enid Blyton Society if we become its member. Do you send it to India (GUJARAT, Ahmedabad)? Please let me know. Thanks.

Hi Barney, I have some books using the characters from the Famous Five but written by Claude Voilier. They are good but not as good as Enid's books. The same for the Secret Seven and some of her school stories. What do others think of different authors writing new books?

Hi Barney , I had about 3 copies of the Old Thatch News , a junior Green Hedges Magazine supplement and I loved it . We had our membership card with secret codes but sadly I have lost mine. Do you know where I could get another one from or a copy of one? I have never read any Noddy books but I'm glad that Sophie is writing one for his 60th anniversary.

Hello Barney, I'm intrigued with the questions on 'public domain'. So if Enid's copyright expires in 2038, does this mean any author can use her characters without permission, and what happens if the publishers still own Enid's copyright, if they are still publishing her books? I hope this doesn't sound too stupid a question, Barney.

Hi Barney. Sorry to be so ignorant but could you explain what is meant by "in the public domain"? Thanks, Fatty.

I was wondering if any of Enid Blyton's books are in the public domain?

You very kindly answered my question but do you have any suggestions where I might find the Enid Blyton Book of Bedtime Stories (1978) illustrated by Rene Cloke? I am not sure where to start. Is it sill in print?

Hello Barney, Is there any way you can be a member without subscribing to the Journal?

Hello, I'm interested to find out if 2009 is an anniversary year for any of Enid Blyton's books or for any significant events in her life and work? It'd be great if someone who knows a lot about Enid's life and work could help! Thank you.

I would like to find the book my mother enjoyed as a child in the 40s... a story of a lady who flew around the world in a house while baking cakes? I would like to surprise her with this book but I do not know the title. Can anyone help me? Thanks!

I have an 'ORIGINS OF NODDY' framed montage of original letters and drawings, no 568/1000 from Enid Blyton Ltd. Could anyone give me an idea of what it may be worth at auction please..Thanks Mark

Hi, I am trying to find the title of an Enid Blyton story and for the life of me I cannot remember what it is called. It is a book of short stories about animals and their traits. One of the chapters is about the blackbird and how it came to have its golden beak. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Vicky.

Hello. Please can somebody tell me how I know if an Enid Blyton book is a first edition, as a few of mine say first published 1949 etc inside. Does this mean it is a first edition? Thanks. Kind Regards, Clair.

Thank you so much. I knew it was from around that time but I was not sure exactly when. I really appreciate that. Thank you.

I am collecting the Dean and Son series of 48 books from "Storytime Book" through to "Come to the Circus." Does anybody know at what point in this series they stopped using dust covers? I am trying to get them in the best possible condition and it appears that the later books in the series did not have dust covers but the earlier ones did, I do not know when this changed. Any help would be much appreciated. Many Thanks, Michelle.

I want to know where can I find the complete list of Enid Blyton's 800 books? Apart from the Famous Five, Find Outers, St.Clare's and the rest, she must have written about 500 books. How can I find their names? Any help will be really appreciated.

Was there more than one Shadow the Sheepdog story? I seem to remember several but can't find any other than "Shadow the Sheepdog."

Looking for 1979 Deans edition of "The Enchanted Wood." http://www.upthefarawaytree.50megs.com/illustrators.htm. Any leads?

Hi Barney, Thank you for your prompt answer, I think she must be mistaken. I haven't seen any documentation, apparently the real estate agent gave her the Faraway book and told her it was penned about her tree. Thanks again, Nina

Hi Barney, My partner's mother says that Enid Blyton wrote the Faraway Tree series about a tree in her garden in Leura in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales in Australia, she seems to have documentation... can this be true? Nina

Hi Barney. could you please tell me when the new members password is due to be changed. I've received Journal 37 but cannot remember the current password (just like Jack), and by coincidence my son Jack has taken my Journal 36 to school to show his teacher, so who knows, maybe new members on the horizon.

My mom won an Enid Blyton book at school back in the fifties and it was passed on to me as a child. Unfortunately the book has long since vanished and I'm anxious to find another copy if one exists. I'm not sure of the title - but there were stories in it called 'Will & Won't' - about two brothers, another story about the cross-patches and one called 'Bilberoo is Coming.' If anyone can let me know the title of this book and where I could find a copy I'd be very grateful. Thanks, Wendy

When is the next Enid Blyton Day? I'm this huge fan of Enid Blyton and recently read about Noddy's 60th birthday :) Cant ever imagine the poor ol' guy so old!! I love Enid Blyton and did my Masters dissertation on her books too :)

I am searching for a copy of the video version (in any format) of the BBC production of Enid Blyton's "The Secret of Killimooin". It was part of a BBC series of her Secret Series books. Please advise.

I am looking for an audio book of short Christmas stories. I don't know what it would be called but there was a story about a naughty elf and children who found £5 in an old lady's pocket (at least that's what I remember.) Please help?!

Tony - Jacky Hawthorne at Old Thatch, Bourne End, advises that she would be delighted to open the garden on Sunday 10 May for a private visit by Blyton enthusiasts, although minimum cost is £60 for a group visit, and we would need to get say 15 definite bookings to cover this. Would it be worth asking members booking for the EB day on 9 May if they wish to book for an Old Thatch visit on 10 May at £4 a head? I will book two if this can be arranged. We may be surprised at the response!

I am looking for a large, beautifully illustrated book of stories (in colour) I received as a child (1970s.) Some of the stories included, and excuse the vagueness, an umbrella with a goose head handle, shepherds purses and the underskirt of mushrooms, a naughty child not coming in for supper, a little girl not wanting to go to school. Any ideas? Thanks.

Can anyone tell me which Enid Blyton story has children supposed to help Gardener clean plant pots where he hid a 6p I think under the last one to prove they cleaned them all (which they failed to do!)? Think they were also very bad and tipped rice pudding out of a window onto his head?

Just want to say what a brill site! Thanks to your detailed list of books I have just managed to get a copy of News Chronicle Boys and Girls Story Book 6 - I lost mine 20 years ago and could only remember some of the stories in it - not the title - what memories it has brought back! My Gran gave it me in the 1950s!

Wayne Pyer and Barney, I am glad to learn that Sophie Smallwood will be bringing out her new Noddy book in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of his formation on November 22, 1969. That date has good and unpleasant memories. The pleasant news on that date is that tennis superstar, Billie Jean King, was born on that day. The unpleasant aspect of that day is that President Kennedy was assassinated on that very day that Billie Jean King turned 20 in 1963. So Enid Blyton created Noddy in 1949 (14 years to the day JFK would be assassinated) on a day some would rejoice while others would weep.

Thanks Barney.

Can anyone tell me the order of the following books please: Melody:(Enchanted Wood) Petal: (Enchanted Wood) Silky: (Enchanted Wood)? Are they actually a series after the Wishing Chair trilogy? Thanks.

Are there any unusual facts about Enid Blyton?

Could you please tell me how much "Noddy Gets into Trouble" original pub. is worth to buy? Thank you.

Hi Barney. I turned on the TV this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see Sophie and Robert Tyndall on breakfast television. I think the idea of the two of them writing/illustrating a new Noddy book is a great tribute to EB. Do you know if they plan to do any other collaborations together? I know that Sophie will be loyal and true to her grandmother's format and should be widely applauded. Well done Sophie!!!!!!

I was seven when I first started reading the Magic Faraway Tree books. People call me a bookworm and I just love reading them!

I cannot find the new Noddy written by Sophie Smallwood - can anybody direct me in the UK please?

Could you please tell me where we can buy the book "Up the Faraway Tree" and what lands are in the book?

I have a vivid memory of my father saying to me, 'You'll be late Pussy Padpaws' if ever I was running late and am sure it must have been from an Enid Blyton story. Can anyone identify it? I was born in 1950.

Thanks. Are you already taking bookings for the Enid Blyton Day on 9 May? I would like to register when possible.

For many years I have been saying to my friends "Please don't feel you have to repay me (for a favour), Enid Blyton said you should pass a favour on to someone else." I have forgotten which story this lovely idea came from. Any ideas?

Assuming that the next Blyton Day will be taking place in May, would it be possible to arrange a special opening of Old Thatch gardens in Bourne End, EB's former home, on the Sunday for Blyton fans who may wish to extend their visit to Blyton country over the weekend? Old Thatch does not open to the public until 24 May, two weeks later than the usual timing of Blyton days. A commercial opportunity for the owners of Old Thatch with so many Blyton fans on their annual pilgrimage!

How many books exactly did Enid write?

How many Famous Five books did Enid write?

I wanted to say thank you to the members that assisted me in finding the "Folk of the Faraway Tree" book. My Mother LOVED it ! Sincerely, Diane (USA)

Barney, can you tell me are there any other series of the novel "The Children of Willow Farm"?

Hi Barney, I'm 8. Do you remember Enid having any pets? If so, what are their names?

Hi, I read somewhere that the 1978 Famous Five TV Series was in the public domain and therefore could be copied and sold without infringing copyright. Can you tell me if this is correct and if so are there any dealers out there who sell the complete series transferred onto DVD and can guarentee the best possible quality? Thanks.

Dear Barney, I am from India. Can you please tell me are there any pictures shooted on the school series or any other stories of Enid Blyton? Please let me know. Thank you.

In response to Nigel's message. In one of the many books I have about Enid, I remember reading a poem which she wrote, and I think was based on Corfe Castle, when she was visiting Dorset. Also the illustration of Faynights Castle is almost a replica of Corfe Castle.

I wonder if Corfe Castle wasn't more of an inspiration to Eileen Soper? Her illustrations of Kirrin Island and Castle certainly look more like the castle on the hill at Corfe Castle village. We must remember that these are books of fiction, and the people and places may well be influenced by reality, but they do remain as pure fiction.

Is there a real place where Enid used for the model of Kirrin island?

I remember reading some Enid Blyton stories when I was younger about a group of kids on a farm, who were friends with a man called Tammy (?) who was amazing with animals. I loved them and would like to read them to my kids, but I can't remember what they were called. Any info would be very much appreciated, thank you!

My girlfriend is looking for a book that her mother read and loved when she was younger. It is by Enid Blyton and called 'Porridge Town.' She can not find it anywhere and we think it would be a lovely present for her mother at Christmas. If anyone knows where we can get it, that would be brilliant. Thank you.

Just to ask if the Winter 2008 issue of the Journal has been posted out to members yet. I am a member but have not yet received my copy.

Dear Barney, I want to know is there a book called the Flying Four?

Re: "The Little House in the Wood" book, perhaps your sister is thinking of "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder?

I am looking for a book that my sister used to have. She believes it to be by Enid Blyton and it was called "The Little House in the Wood," but I can't find it anywhere. Can you help? Thanks.

Can I read the Naughtiest Girl series by using the internet? I do love them so much.

Reply for Steve B. In Five Go Down to the Sea, Mr. Penruthlan 'let out a terrific guffaw' when he unzipped Dick & Julian from the pantomime horse (Chapter 12). The word is used in several other places in the same book.

I have 8 bound volumes of Sunny Stories from 1942. After the end of each year my Mother had the series bound. Can anyone tell me how much they are worth?

I have a bet with my partner that the word 'guffaw' must have been used by Enid Blyton in at least one of her Famous Five books - can anyone confirm or deny please ?!

Barney, I wonder if you can help me please. I don't suppose you can identify a story, very probably by Enid Blyton, about a little girl with a magic bed which takes her on adventures at night. I borrowed it repeatedly from the school library when I was a kid and have been longing to track it down for years. I seem to remember an illustration of a gypsy camp fire........?

I found a 1952 copy of "The Three Golliwogs" in my grandmother's house. I believe the book was banned due to racial interpretations of the name golliwog. Is it valuable? I am happy to sell.

Hi Barney. Just a short message to say I love what you've done to the site. Spectacular. Also, has anyone got any info on the reported new tv show featuring the Famous Five grown up? What are your feelings about it?

I loved the Noddy series when I was growing up; now have grand children. Do you know how I can buy Noddy books? I live in the US, they appear to be out of print on this side of the pond. Any idea of where I might be able to buy them? Are they still in print in the UK? Thanks.

Hi, you must be a good dog. I love Enid Blyton's books, can you please tell me about her parents and her first book? Waiting for your answer - Meghna

Hi Barney, just wondering whether Trevor Bolton's new book, will be available to buy at the next Enid Blyton Day. I remember reading about the book on the forums, Barney, but can't remember which thread it was to post this question on. At least inquiring through this message board, I get to look at the handsome dog sitting next to the box as I write.

I am doing an essay on inspirations of authors. Do you know what Enid Blyton's inspiration was?

Hi Barney, Hope to meet you too some day --- with that nice juicy bone! A few years ago I wrote a story called 'Adventure at Mystery Cove,' about four children and treasure in a cave. Must admit it has Enid Blyton influence as she inspires me. Could I send it in to see if it is any good and if it is too like Enid's stories?

Which Enid Blyton character(s) are readers like? I'm a bit like George in the Famous Five, a bit hot-headed, can be a bit moody, a tomboy, but if given a chance I can be a lot of fun too! I'm also like Darrell in the Malory Towers books, have a bit of a temper but straightforward and like to help others. Sue

Hi Barney, Love to give you a nice juicy bone! Where could I find the sequels to the St. Clare's books ---"Third Form at St. Clare's," "Sixth Form at St. Clare's" and "Kitty at St. Clare's"? Also "The Famous Five's Survival Guide"? Thanks, Sue

Hi Barney! Awesome tongue... I'm looking for the 'Famous Five Annual' thingy. We found one at a charity sale and my sister liked it - so we took it home. Since then we've been looking for more! Do you know where I could find them? Thank you! (and pawprints/woofs from Tessie and Kimberly Biscuit - our dogs!) The GirlQueen.

Thank you Barney, I found it no problem with your guiding paw taking me through the cave of books. I have bought this book, but as yet not read it, so will look forward to that.

Hi Barney, this is the first time I've posted on here, and you look so cool, sat by the message box, but I've had a look through the Cave of Books, and cannot see "The Famous Five's Survival Guide" in the continuation novels section. Am I looking in the wrong place?

Is it about time the new Enid Blyton book revivals are added to the 'Cave Of Books'? 'The Famous Five Survival Guide' and 'Enchanted Worlds'?

I have not read some books that are written by Enid Blyton, especially The Five Find-Outers, my favourite books. Can I read them just using the internet?

Hi Jo, There is a story about a stolen rabbit called Snowball in Enid Blyton's Second Holiday Book, and it's called The Land of Nowhere. Don't know if that's the one you mean, but it sounds the same. I've only just finished reading it, so knew where it was!!

I wanted to know the total books Enid Blyton wrote?

Thank you Barney for answering my question. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have known that the short story book has been sitting on my shelf for all these 25 years. Now I can give it to my niece......not as a birthday present though. It's too aged and tatty for a gift. So thanks.

Hi, Any ex Famous Five Club Members out there? Want to form a new club on the message board? I still have all my newsletters and still re-read them and have my badge and membership card. I am looking for an Enid Byton Trust for Children badge, lost mine---anyone have one I could possibly have? I support the Trust when I can. Thanks.

What books are best for a five year old and a nine year old boy please, Secret Seven etc?

I remember a story being read to me by an Aunt when I was younger. It had a bunny called Snowball in it and a fairy queen stole him to help pull her carriage, and his owner had to travel to fairyland to find him? Does anyone know if this is indeed one of Enid Blyton's stories and if so which book it is in so I can get it again? I have most of her books now and would really like to find this one as it was really lovely.

I remember reading a short story about the characters Snap, Snarl and Sneery to my younger brothers approx 40 years ago. Can anyone help and tell me the name of the book so that I can buy it for them to read to their children?

I grew up reading Enid Blyton books and I believe it helped shape who I am now. There is one particular short story that makes me feel nostalgic. It's about a fairy and a ribbon shop selling ribbon made of essence of sunsets and clouds. I was hoping to get the book as a birthday present for my niece but I couldn't remember, for the life of me, the title of the book. Does anyone know what the title is and where I can find it?

Hi, My husband is 41 and used to be read the Faraway Tree as a child and I would like to buy him the same version for Christmas to read to our children. Does anyone know which version it could be? I do know it had pictures in. Many thanks, Sue

Enid Blyton is my favorite author. She is amazing. I'm reading "The Rockingdown Mystery" at the moment.

Hi, I've been a life long fan of Enid Blyton, with Famous Five/Malory Towers being my favorites. I have numerous duplicate books with coloured picture covers i.e. Faraway Tree, dated late 60's/70's. I intend to sell these on eBay soon, I just need to download pics of them all.

I love Enid Blyton's books and I wish she was alive so I could meet her. She is brilliant and no one else is as good as her.

Hi Cliff, I would be interested to give your Enid Blyton books a good home. I would be able to pick them up from you so the hassle of delivery would be avoided. Please let me know. Thank you.

Hi Barney, Thanks for your message about my offer to give Cliff`s books a good home! If anyone else has any they want to get rid of for free then let me know! I have all the Famous Five, Secret Seven, the Adventure ones and Mystery ones---Five Find-Outers---and some Naughtiest Girl ones and all the St Clare's and Malory Towers books. Are you a labrador? Sue

I have inherited a box full of old Enid Blyton books. How do I know if any are valuable?

I've had another thought about Jinty's question on Oct 4th. If it is possibly a book by another author of which she is thinking, maybe it is Malcolm Saville's "Treasure at Amory's", a Lone Pine adventure where the Mortons and Warrenders have a holiday on Romney Marsh. A Roman Road features in this story, and it is on the coast.

Barney, I concur with you pertaining to lack of indoor "bathrooms" (a name in American terminology that includes toilets). For instance in Five Have A Mystery To Solve which was first published in 1962, people were still drawing water from wells as late as that time as that altercation between Anne and Wilfrid suggests.

Is there any reference in the Mystery Series to toilets?

I wonder if Jinty is thinking of "Five on a Secret Trail" where the Five go camping on a common not far from their seaside home and discover someone excavating the site of a Roman camp?

Does anyone know the name of a Blyton book set in a seaside town and they also go to a local Roman road? I read it and many other Blyton books forty years ago and would love to reread that one.

Hi Cliff, I collect Enid Blyton books and would love to give yours a happy home if you still have them! Are they really all free? All 150 of them? I recently read my first Naughtiest Girl books and they are so funny!

Hi! I am from India. Books written by Enid Blyton are very famous here. Her imagination is superb. My favourite books written by Enid Blyton are the Famous Five, Secret Seven, Mystery series and Adventure series.

Hi, I'm currently analysing Enid Blyton's "The Enchanted Wood" for an English Extension assignment for school. Are there are any available reviews from 1939 to around 1950 to compare to current reviews of the book and the series in general?

Hi, what was the first book Enid Blyton wrote and how many books has Enid Blyton written?

My daughter has book week at school next week and would like to go as the character Moonface from the Faraway Tree Collection. Looking at the pictures he seems to wear lots of different clothes. What would be the most up to date clothing

Hi, I love Enid Blyton! I have just got one question, how old was Enid when she died? Thanks!

Hi Barney, I will do my best to come to the Enid Blyton Day next year! Has a date been arranged yet? Will keep 2nd and 3rd weekends in May free just in case it's either.

Hi, Ming. Nice to hear from you. Will e-mail you in a day or two. Very busy 48 hours now, until Wednesday afternoon.

I so love Enid Blyton's books! I feel so nostalgic for my younger days when I could get hold of her books while in the school library. Now that I'm older and a mother myself, I would love to share the books that I enjoyed reading while I was growing up with my kids...I just don't see those books in our local bookstore...too bad and too sad...I'm from the Philippines, by the way.

Cliff, I'm interested in your collection. Would like to talk to you more about it (if I'm not too late!!) - please email me at mingmingkhan@gmail.com

Hi Barney, Thanks for the reply. I live in Suffolk, but travel extensively over the south and east of UK. So, can deliver if need be, but may take time to be in a particular area. Otherwise, willing to wait for the next EB Day. I missed the last one :~( as I was already booked for a folk festival. The books are a mix of paperbacks & hardbacks from early years (Faraway Tree type) through to FF, SS, Mysteries, Adventures plus 3 vols Teachers Treasury and (somewhere) a set of postage stamps showing EB.

Hi Barney, You said I have to become a member in this society but I dont know how. Please tell me. And are there any new games of the Famous Five and the Naughtiest Girl?

Does anyone know where I can offer my entire collection of Enid Blyton books, free of charge, to anyone who would like them? Probably 150+ books, some duplicates, some dubious condition! Includes some non-fiction.

When I was a child I liked Enid Blyton's adventure series because they had much more complicated plots than the other mysteries in the library. Now that I am an adult, I share her books with my students.

Thanks Barney, they are as you describe.

I first started reading Enid Blyton at the age of seven in 1964 when we used to go to Christchurch for holiday every year, staying with grandma. The first two on that holiday were "The Mystery of Tally Ho Cottage" and "The Secret Mountain." Over the next three years (can it really only have been three, seemed much longer at that age?) I gradually read all the Find Outers - which were easily my favourites -, all the Secret series, most of the Famous Five and all of the Adventure series plus "House At the Corner." When my younger sister got the Malory Towers and St Clare's books, they came my way too. Often visiting Corfe Castle while on holiday, I only wish I had realised back then that right where I was was the inspiration for the books I'd only just discovered and loved to read! Unfortunately we never ventured any further into Dorset; in those days it was a long way from Christchurch and too far for dad to drive for a day out. It was only yesterday, while visiting Corfe Castle with my niece and her American husband on holiday here from their home in Miami, that I found myself standing outside the Ginger Pop shop reading a few notices when realisation struck! A few years ago I purchased the full set of Find Outers books, published in India and clearly having being retyped as there were many obvious spelling and grammatical errors - even a couple of misplaced pages from a Malory Towers book inside "The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat"! They were even delivered badly packaged in a tatty cardboard box, wrapped in a copy of the "Bombay Times." Now I know the Ginger Pop shop exists, the next nostalgic reorder will come from there instead. Now, a question, Peterswood in the Find Outers: Based on its proximity to Marlow, Maidenhead and Burnham Beeches which are all mentioned in the series, with a big range of hills not far away (the Chilterns presumably) a small village with a river (the Thames), would I be right in thinking it was based on Bourne End, Bucks? Andy T (age 50)

Hi, I have just been given two old figures with Mr Pinkwhistle written back to front on them, I believe that he is an Enid Blyton character but know nothing about him. Any info would be appreciated. These seem to be quite old.

How many books did she write altogether? Enid is the best! I am 9. I like the Famous Five the best! Bye!

I loved Enid Blyton stories. Now I am reading them for my son. I'm trying to find Famous Five dvds to go with the books. I need region 4 dvds (Famous Five series) which could be played in Australia. Could anyone help me with some advice? Thanks.

I'm a big fan of Enid Blyton. I love all her books. They are really interesting...she really takes me to a world of fantasies and mysteries...

I love Enid Blyton books. Once I start reading one I go into a magical world!!!

Hi I'm from Malaysia.. have most of Enid's books..and my age is 38..she really makes me young still with her books..:)

At my library I always head for Enid Blyton books. I love her and I wish more people would read her books.

I love Enid Blyton. I have to do a project on my fave author. I choose her.

I think the top three Famous Five books are Five On a Treasure Island, Five Go Adventuring Again and Five Go to Mystery Moor !!!!!!!!!! (and I'm only 10)

Hi there, Thanks for your gorgeous website. I don't feel so alone now. Am 43 & still love reading Enid Blyton's works (among other things!). Won't ever get to England but when I'm a bit more financial at least I can enjoy one of my passions on line! Barney, you're almost as lovely as my dog.

As Barney says it is nothing to do with Enid Blyton, Chris. Enid Boyten was the pseudonym of Horace E Boyten, one of the stable of writers employed by the Amalgamated Press (later Fleetway Publications) to write for their story papers and comics. Boyten also used the pen-name of Helen Crawford. All the Amalgamated Press writers were men but they used female names when writing for girls' comics and papers.

Can anyone solve this mystery, I've got a copy of the School Friend Annual 1950 which has a story by Enid Boyton. The story is called 'Their Secret Task at St Claire's', was this a misprint of Blyton's name and was she experimenting with a different style, or was someone using a similar name. thanks, chris.

How good to see the doyen of Blyton sites with a brand new look. Congratulations to Keith for achieving this! Barney, great to see you in all your glory - at least people will all know now that you are not that dreadful circus-boy! Next time I pass by The Secret Kennel, I'll give you an extra pat! Good to hear from you, Matt, as well!

What a wonderful, colourful and welcoming new look for my favourite website. Congratulations to all the team responsible. It is a worthy tribute to the world's bestselling children's author. And all presided over by that terribly handsome Barney fellow.

I really love the new look of the site: especially the photo of Barney in his replies: what a handsome photo!

Love the new look, Keith and Tony (and Barney!)

Hi, I think Blyton's work is reflective of the free & stress free society which we have lost in quest of modernisation. I am a BIGGG Fan of all her books. Especially the Famous Five series, the Adventure series & not to be left the goblins/gnomes in Wishing Chair :) In the Famous Five series, Five on a Hike & Mystery Moor are smashing. I have three Adventure series & Mountain of Adventure is very good. I will never forget the endless gingerbeers & sandwiches which the five treat upon. Reading all I am very keen to visit the countryside of the UK & experience the same. Some day I will surely visit Dartmoor National Park & Wales which the adventures are based upon. Thank you Mafam Blyton for making our reading so enlightened. May your soul rest in peace !

I think that the Faraway Tree and the Enchanted Wood are absolutely fantastic because of the magic inside the books. I feel like I am actually with Joe and Beth and Frannie and all of the residents of the Faraway Tree.

Wow, this website sure looks good with its makeover! I have been a regular visitor, but I didn't comment previously. I have to congratulate you for your work on this superb website. The sections on the left-hand side are, to me, clearly visible (note that I'm using Internet Explorer 7.) The Book Listings are.... Really Really FANTASTIC. I can't find more words to descibe it. I also like the names of the links (for instance, "Author of Adventure"!) which are very Blytonian. The articles in the section I mentioned are amazing. They give a lot of information about the author. The biography was very easy to read and understand, so congratulations to its author! I also read the article 'Enid The Writer' and I got a lot of useful information from it. The Enid Blyton Day sounds fabulous and I wish I could go to Britain next year as a member, but the distance is too much (we can but dream, though!) The "Interactive Island" is also very good. The Forums are terrific! I hope I can join. As I write this, I'm going to attempt the Monthly Quiz, and will also later on try the Character Quiz. Last but not the least, I hope I can be a member of the Society and receive the Journal (which seems to be very good) and read the FanFics. Thank you for this website, which I will continue to visit.

Hi! It seems that I have been away from the site for a very long period of time! The site looks splendid in its makeover! But I do wish the list of links on the left-hand-side would be a bit dark in color or a bit viewable. Thanks. Goodbye!

I love Enid Blyton books, they're great. I get them from the library. I just finished reading the Adventurous Four books but I only got to read half the series because the library didn't have the other half!

Looking for a book about a boy that always grumbles. They called him Grumbletone.

Lovely to see Noddy in the Blackpool Illuminations, well worth a visit! Thanks for a great website, thinking of joining the Society. xx

I love to read Enid Blyton books. I have made a little room for Enid Blyton. I have in total 20 books of Enid Blyton. Send me her photos if you can. Bye, love (an Enid Blyton fan)

Hello, I have a poem written in my autograph book many years ago when I wrote to Enid Blyton saying how much I loved her books. Just one verse, but for me when she lived at "Green Hedges ". I dont want to sell, but roughly how much would this be worth ? Many thanks. June.

Hi, When I was little my mum told me three children's stories which I have never seen written down or published. I have, of course, quizzed mum as to where she got them but she can't remember! Mum suspects they might have been written by Enid Blyton. The titles of these stories (as far as I know!) are: 1. Bobby and the Bunkin. 2. Wumps and Woggie. 3. Epaminondas. I also vaguely remember a story about a little boy whose name was so long that by the time his mummy had shouted him to come in for his tea, his tea had gone cold! Can you tell me if any of these are Enid Blyton's creations please? Thanks.

The books written by Enid Blyton are superb! They help us improve our vocabulary. The mysterious and adventurous stories have attracted the children's minds. Enid Blyton expresses her imagination superbly.

I recall a story from my childhood about Helter Skelter Hector who got cured of being a bully when he thought his head had shrunk because he put on the wrong hat. Was this an Enid Blyton story and if so, in which book did it it appear? Anthony Amos

Hello I notice that "More Wishing-Chair Stories" was only published in 2000. Are the stories therefore the work of the great author or another?

Dear Enid Blyton fans - please can you solve an enigma re a book I have - title - Suffolk, My County by O R Wellbanks - it is a 1934 book published by Heath Cranton - on trying to find out some details on amazon.co.uk, I saw that it gives the true author as Enid Blyton ! Is O R Wellbanks a pseudonym of Enid Blyton ? or is the Amazon description an error? Thanking you in advance - Darrel Bayley

I am a big fan of Enid Blyton books. As far as we are concerned her work gives the greatest pleasure. I would also like to join your Society.

Great news...have just read today that Enid is the number 1 children's writer!!!!! Excellent news and a very welcome acknowledgement of her genius.

Can someone please tell me where I could watch the Adventure series TV shows online? I have been looking everywhere and have only found "The Valley of Adventure," which, sadly, I have not yet read and am looking out for.

Hello, Can anyone help me out in finding out whether a Grace Lodge image would be copyrighted? We are an independent literary journal in Australia. Our book designer has come up with a cover image for our next issue which is in part sourced from the Eighth Brer Rabbit Book, illustrated by Grace Lodge (1958) I cannot find anywhere who might own copyright on Grace Lodge's illustrations, and I'm loathe to use an image that's not in the public domain. I hope that someone here might have some clues for me. thank you Lisa

Can anyone help me? I have a large collection of Enid Blyton books incl. Secret 7, Famous 5, Adventures of etc. and I was whether they are worth anything? And the best places to sell them? I would be most grateful of any advice!

Bonjour, comment peut-on adhérer à votre association ? Egalement, quels sont les héritiers actuels de Mrs Enid Blyton ? Merci !

ok thanks Barney !

Hi Barney...Don't think so. The message reads, "Here is your Christmas Bible, in it is the greatest story in the world - the story of the very first Christmas. Read it on Christmas Eve - and be sure to read your Bible every day, Love from your friend Enid Blyton." Have you any ideas?

I love Enid Blyton's books because they are fun to read. I would read her books many times because I couldn't resist it! I love to read her books sooooo much!

I have just starting collecting the Famous Five books. I can't put them down! I am in my late fifties and enjoying them. I loved the Secret Seven as a child in the 1950s.

Has anybody got any information regarding a message written by Enid Blyton in a Bible printed by the London Bible Warehouse?

I was an avid reader of Enid Blyton since 10 yrs of age, and still an ardent fan of hers. I feel she is a writer of all times. Last time I went to London I wanted to visit her places; due to time constraint I couldn't - next time surely I'll try...I have read around 200 books by her and even now, at the age of 27, she continues to be my favourite writer.

Hello, I have been an avid reader of Enid Blyton ever since I could read (I was about six years old.) I still enjoy her books...I am twenty now. There is a refreshing quality about her writing so that you can read the same book over ten times and still relish it!

Hi, I've been an Enid Blyton fan since I was 11. I've read more than 65 books by her, including the Famous Five series, the Secret Seven series, the Mystery series, the Naughtiest Girl series and the Malory Towers series. The stories are simple but exciting and they are really great fun.

I have loved reading Enid Blyton's books since I was young and now my twin daughters are reading them too. They are loving them. The books are being read from one generation to the next.

Thank you Barney. I walked past the house today. It's not in the area I thought my Grandmother pointed out, but as that was about 30 years ago, it's not surprising I'd got it wrong.

Hi, friends, I live in India and I want to tell you that Enid Blyton's books are famous in all the four corners of the world. I am a most ardent fan of Enid Blyton. Till now I have read about 50 books of Enid Blyton and I enjoyed reading them very much. Thanks to her books , last year I got the highest marks in English!

I live in Ipswich where I understand Enid did her teacher training. I vaguely remember my Grandmother pointing out a house to me where she said Enid had stayed during that period. Unfortunately that was many years ago and I'm not sure which house it was now. Does any one out there know?

Thank you so very much Barney, we are so grateful we have been searching for it for many months {re; Sally Slick and Susan Sloppy} thank you once again my sister is over the moon. Vera Birks...

Further to the message I asked about Sally Slick and Susan Sloppy my sister has remembered how the rhyme goes, "Sally Slick is always spick and span from head to toes, She gets admiring glances everywhere she goes. Susan Sloppy doesn't care about her looks, she lets her hair hang limp, her stockings always sag, her newest blouse is soon a rag. Sally Slick puts a button on, Susan Sloppy why fuss when a safety pin will do? Now answer truly ,who are you, Sally Slick or Susan Sloppy?" We would love to know which book it was in. Thank you.

Hi Enid Blyton's Fans. This website is truly fantastic. This is the the first time I have come to this website as I didnt know about it and I have liked it very much. Thanks. Sonia

Can anyone remember what book of Enid Blyton short stories from 1947 contains Sally Slick and Susan Sloppy? My sister read it as a child and can not remember it.

Further to the message referring to which book mentioned the 'Good Day' phrase and its meaning, it was in "The Hobbit," when Bilbo first met Gandalf. I love Enid Blyton too though!

I remember Enid Blyton commenting that Good day was such a strange phrase (via a character in a short story). It could mean so many things: *a curt good bye. (I've had enough, good day.) *a hello (good day, Mr Clinton) *a question (Are you having a good day? in short... Good day?) Does anyone else remember this or which book it was in?

I read Enid Blyton books as a child and now collect the books for my future grand children. I collect first editions if I can but first edition books with dust covers are rare in South Africa. I have over a hundred books of varying condition and I hope that It will give the same enjoyment that the books gave to me.

I enjoy Enid Blyton's novels very much. Her books are easy to read and very interesting. I introduce her books to my friends because I think it is worth for them to enjoy Enid Blyton's books.I really enjoy her books!

Ah, but Hari, if you continue down the list you'll find other titles besides The Dirty Old Teddy, such as The Dirty Teddy-Bear, The Very Old Teddy Bear, The Poor Old Teddy, and The Unhappy Teddy. Several of these have been printed more than once, perhaps with the name changed; whereas others might be entirely different stories with the same name as a previous one! It's a veritable minefield.

From the Teddy results your search threw up, Keith, The Dirty Old Teddy from Now For a Story (Harold Hill 1948) looks most likely.

In answer to the question by *B about the teddy, if you search the Book Listing using the search word "teddy," you'll come up with all sorts of books and short stories. Assuming the title actually has "teddy" in it, it's then just a case of figuring out which one you're looking for! The trouble is, some stories are used more than once, or have slightly revised titles, or may be different stories with the same or similar titles! Click here for Teddy results. :-)

Can anyone remember the name of the Enid Blyton book where a teddy is in a children's home and is unloved and all the children play with the other teddy, then a new girl comes in and goes straight for the unloved teddy, and the woman in the home then takes him away and stitches him up and gives him new eyes, new stuffing and a new coat so the girl can have him to cuddle in bed? I can't remember the name and it's making me go round the twist!

Enid also wrote "Famous Five Adventure" - a stage play. It's quite similar to "Five Have Plenty of Fun" (I believe the two were written within a year or so of each other).

How many Famous Five books are there? I have 21 and am wondering if that is the full collection ?

I love the Enid Blyton Society very much.

Keith, "tite" and "mite"? Sigh — I know you enclosed them in quotes, but I thought you would be among the last to succumb to SMS-speak. :evil: But yes, Blyton does use the mnemonic in one of the Five books, though she says "tight" and "might". I think it's in "Five Go to Billycock Hill."

In response to TG's post about stalactites and stalagmites, I don't know if the "ceiling" and "ground" explanation came up in Enid Blyton's books, but I do know that she used another way to help remember which is which. She always said that stalactites have to hold on "tite" to the ceiling, whereas stalagmites "mite" grow up high enough to reach the ceiling. That's how I always remembered them anyway, although I have to admit the "c" and "g" idea is simpler!

Hello Enid Blyton Society! Hope you will help me. I am a member of the forums. I don't know how to insert images in the messages. Could you possibly help me?

I was reading a mystery book written by Enid Blyton, I felt as if I was in the story. It was "The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat." So, I would like to say THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BOOKS!

I was reading a story the other day and I saw something that relates to the latest Enid Blyton Society Journal. In “Around the World in 80 Minutes" a bus full of children who’ve won a geography competition sets out on a cross-country tour. Two counterfeiters who are trying to elude the police bluff their way onto it by making out they are the kids' supervisors. The schedule calls for stops at various places of note and on page #6 they visit subterranean caverns where there are dozens of Stalactites and Stalagmites. A boy asks the driver, "Mr. Briggs, are those Stalagmites?" The driver answers, "Listen .... the word Stalactite has a C for Ceiling! The word Stalagmite has a G for Ground! Understand now?" I first read "Around the World in 80 Minutes" back in the early days when I was well into the EB books so there may have been a crossover but I've always thought that the "C & G" hint was in a Blyton book as well - possibly one of the many she wrote that deals with natural history. I can't find it as of date so until I've waded through the rest of the more likely ones I think the jury will have to be out on that particular item. What I really wanted to comment on was the astuteness of the Forumites who don't miss a trick because they are “Professionals” when it comes to Enid Blyton and it didn't take long for doubts to be expressed by at least half a dozen members (The Society/The Enid Blyton Society Journal - March, 2008). The crooks were ultimately caught because one of the children on the tour was none other than Clark Kent who also doesn’t-miss-a-trick. The “eighty minutes” comes in because the sight-seeing expedition which was centred on reasonably local areas was extended for that period of time to take in the major cities of the world and I don’t need to explain how that happened!

I love Enid Blyton books, my mummy read them when she was a little girl and I am now reading "Naughty Amelia Jane" which is very funny. When we are reading it together, mummy remembers what is going to happen. We love to read them together and giggle! Love Ella x

I have loved reading Enid Blyton from age five. Now sixty years on l still love reading her books. I have over 500 vintage Enid Blytons, some very rare, and l read them avidly still. My favourites are the stories for older children, but I love them all. I have read them over and over again. I still have the other 200 to collect of course, and am hopeful but not expectant. I will keep looking.

Enid Blyton rocks! I just keep on reading her books. I too would like to be an author taking her as my role model.

I'm an author, too and still a big Enid-Blyton-Fan. She is my role model and a great inspiration for me! GOD BLESS HER! There's no author on this world better than her!

Gosh, I am from Indonesia and when I was young I read some Enid Blyton books. Now I am in my early 30s, I will buy the books so my kids can read them too.

I still am a die hard fan of Blyton (I am a writer). Let us never forget we can still live a happy life even though we grow old in a biological sense. Age is never a factor. Your happiness is what matters the most. Never be too ashamed to read her books even if you are 50, 60 or even older. Live your childhood years in your mind and you will live longer.

Hi. I missed the Enid Blyton Day again, through ill health, and I'd like to thank those who left such vivid descriptions so that I can still feel involved. There was no mention of Imogen or Sophie attending so I was wondering if they did indeed attend. PS. I'm devastated that I missed the Stuart Tresilian artwork. They looked fantastic.

I grew up reading Enid Blyton's books and have great respect for her. I simply loved her collection of Malory Towers, St Clare's, Enchanted Wood.

Was there a REAL Julian in Enid's life? I mean, both Julian Kirrin (Famous Five) and Julian Holland (Naughtiest Girl) are the guardian-sort-of-not-quite-but-little characters as well as caring (and good-looking), if you know what I mean. And Julian is one name that is used only for these two characters in Enid Blyton's books.

Hello! Can anyone help me track down a story which I think is a Blyton tale? I thought it was one of the Elizabeth Beresford magic books but I don't think it is! All I can remember is that some children were travelling on a bed, through a place which I think is called 'The Land of Nightmares' or something similar and there were black horses. It's not one of the Faraway Tree series, the only thing I can find online which has a relevant title is 'The Bed That Ran Away' which features in "The Green Story Book." Can someone please contact me if they know? It's been driving me mad for weeks!! I don't check the site very often so if anyone could email me at miffyrocks@hotmail.com to tell me, I'd be hugely grateful!

Having been a member of the official Famous Five Club in the late seventies, does anyone know if anything like this still exists, my 8 year old son would love to join?

Indeed, Inma - that is the glory of re-reading Blyton in middle-age! I discovered this site when I was 54, so you are not alone! I am glad you have found the site, I look forward to seeing you post on the Forums! ;-)

Welcome Inma. You might enjoy looking at the book listing, which includes the covers of the books. They should bring back some happy memories!

Now, at the age of 51 I found this site!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Spain we say: Never is it too late if what comes is for good!!!! Tears are in my eyes remembering those beautiful days I spent when I was a young girl, reading the books of Enid. GOD BLESS HER.

I read a lot of Enid Blyton books as a child and am hoping to introduce them to my own children soon. I particularly loved the Adventure series and the Famous Five. I also remember reading a book from my mother's 1950's collection, which may not be by Enid Blyton. It is about a group of children who do up a houseboat moored at the bottom of a large garden. For some reason they need to hide a child (a friend met along the way)in the boat, covered by weeping willows, as he is in danger of being kidnapped. Does this sound like an Enid Blyton book?

Can someone help me find a story within one of the short story books that I used to read to my children? It was about the fairies and their slippers and how they used to hide them under the flowers of the Dead Nettle. Thanks.

What age group did Enid set her books around? Thanks, Charlie.

Dear Barney, Many thanks for your speedy and positive reply! I'm off to look for a copy of The Land of Far Beyond and am looking forward to an evening curled up on the sofa and being taken back to my childhood - bliss!

Help!! I'm sure I'm being really, REALLY stupid/blind here, but what happened about a final St. Clare's book? I was always gutted that we didn't see the girls finish their time at the school. I know there was one written, but not by Blyton herself. So why not?

Please could I ask for some help? I am trying to trace a book that I believe Enid Blyton wrote, about 3 young children who lived in a bad city, a kind, clean stranger came to town and having talked to him, he turned all their bad deeds and thoughts into burdens on their backs, which were a part of the children. They had a very long journey to make before they learnt the error of their ways and their burdens were removed. Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Looking for a book by Enid Blyton I read when aged about 10 - am now 72. It was a newspaper annual - very thick. Half was about Hop Skip & Jump, 3 elves, and the other half I think was about Brer Rabbit. Does anyone know of it and where I can get a copy? I would imagine it was from around the 1930s.

It's so interesting to read Anita Bensoussane's coverage of the Enid Blyton Day at Twyford. A huge thank you to Pippa-Stef for bringing online all those photographs, indooors and out. A real Blyton-esque setting for the picnic-ers, with woodland walks and lake. And sunshine! Liked the Enid Blyton portrait, and it was a real joy to look at the photos of Stuart Tresilian's original illustrations. Kiki too, large as life.

I was taught a poem written by Enid Blyton called 'The Wind.' I cant remember all of it and would love to get the words if anyone can help. A part of it goes, 'it's piping down the chimney now with quite a noisy roar.'

Tess Livingstone, Thank you for informing us of the publication of Enid Blyton at Old Thatch. Have been on the ConnorCourt site and it has just been added to my summer booklist.

Hi everyone. Just to let you know that my new book Enid Blyton at Old Thatch is back from the printer and looks terrific. This is one book that I would love to be judged by its cover. To have a look see www.connorcourt.com.au. It is on its way to the UK now for the big day on May 10, but for those of you not going it is available online for £12.87 sterling (POSTAGE INCLUDED), with delivery in 2 to 3 days. Happy Enid Blyton Day. If only I had a Wishing Chair I'd be there like a shot!

Excellent work Lisa!! Your detective work has led to me ordering a book 'Short Stories for Children' published by Nelson in 1950. This includes another short story by Agnes Grozier Herbertson called 'The Teapot Ball'. Can't wait to see my mum's face! Apologies that this is not Enid Blyton related and many thanks for your efforts everyone... Cheers, Phil.

Can't offer you breakfast, but we are making a real rabbit stew during The Secret Island Day on May 29 at Corfe Castle. See www.gingerpop.co.uk next week when details should be up!

Hi, I grew up in Malaysia, like many other Malaysians, on a constant diet of Enid Blyton adventures and for as long as I can remember have dreamed about the kind of farm breakfasts that used to make my mouth water (flood, more like). I am bringing my kids over late May 2008 and would love any suggestions for a sleepover cum breakfast experience that I can take them for. Appreciate your replies to my email address. Cheers.

Hi, sorry to post twice but I spoke to my mother this morning and she also remembered the "run-along-man that sold spoons" story. She said it was by A Herbertson. She said I didn't like him because, in the illustrations, he was tall, skinny and looked strange. I was only three.

I vaguely remember a run-along-man that sold spoons from my early childhood. (Early-mid 1980's). The only thing I can remember that I found him a little creepy. It was definitely not by Enid Blyton though.

Don't know about the Run-along-man who sells spoons but there's a book about Rubbalong who mends shoes. 'Rubbalong Tales' was published by Macmillan in 1950 and the old edition is superby (if strangely) illustrated. Some good chapter titles such as 'Walls have ears, and shoes have tongues' , 'The six-eyed Jingy-bang' and 'Mr Tuck-In's Handkerchief'. You could probably track it down on abebooks.co.uk

My mother keeps mentioning a story she read about a character called the 'run-along-man' who sells spoons. She is almost certain he was created by Enid Blyton but more than this she cannot remember. Could anyone confirm that this character was created by Enid Blyton and if so where I could get a copy of the story to surprise my mother with?!!

I love 'The Mystery of' series books by Enid Blyton. I am missing some. Does anyone know if the modern publications are unabridged or if they have changed stuff, like with the 'Malory Towers series'? And does anyone know how to get hold of the extra stories that she wrote about the Five Find-Outers that appeared in magazines? Ta :D

I've done a bit of research on the WorldCat website and it is a guess that the book I am searching for, Noddy In Toyland as previously mentioned, could be: 74 p. Popular Press, 1981. ISBN 0361052499. Colour illustrations, 29 cm. If anyone (Tony?) can verify the cover that would be great. The book should have several stories in it, and the above page number sounds like it does. It is a book I grew up with and sadly I have not been able to find one yet.

Good morning! In what order should the Faraway Tree stories be read? My daughter is turning 6 next week and we are giving her the full Wishing Chair & Faraway Tree collection! I think she is going to love them!!!

Golly, that was quick! Well, that proves it: updates to the site show 24 hours later on Google. Interesting to note that Aol.com has picked up Blytongoon already as well, but then, Aol seems to be "enhanced" (ie, powered) by Google, so it's the same thing. Meanwhile, a slightly older keyword, Blytonpome, is showing on Google, Yahoo and Aol, but still not on MSN. So it looks like Google and Aol are fastest, followed closely by Yahoo, with MSN is lagging far behind.

Blytongoon has appeared in the search engine!

I just wanted to add a message here to say Blytongoon to the Google search engine! Sorry this isn't a very interesting message, but I just want to see how quickly a made up word (completely unique to Google) appears in the search engine. Click here to check if it's been included yet. More about this subject here.

If someone is interested in reading some of Enid Blyton's novels online, check out this link.... (censored by Dame Slap)

Yes. I have now achieved my lowest score in the quiz. A dismal 8 points!! Very difficult this time round - and a good score from Anita as usual! Well done to all who got better scores than me!

I found this month’s quiz questions really difficult, I normally get at least 20 right!

Thanks Tony, hope you or someone has a copy; it could be a compilation of Enid Blyton Noddy stories (who knows?) Illustrated in colour, large hardcover with cover as shown in the picture (or similar with different ill. in circle, Big Ears maybe?) I seem to vaguely recall an illustration of the dog on a chair. A story about Big Ears too. No idea if mushrooms were involved but I could be confusing something else. So long as there's an ISBN / date, I could find a copy secondhand somewhere online. ... And on a different note, was there an Enid Blyton book that mentioned marzipan? ... I grew up with a heap of Enid Blyton books and still have my collection plus a few more to fill in some series; favourites being The Adventurous Four, Willow Farm books, Faraway Tree series, Wishing Chair series, Galliano's circus series (I've yet to read one book from each series but have them now!) and The Naughtiest Girl Again (have since read the others).

It doesn't look as if Barney is going to answer you, Sharon, so I had better do it for him. If you put 'Noddy' into search on the book listings, you will see that the last books listed are for 1974. The reason for this is simple. Noddy is still a current TV character and over the past thirty years there have been numerous Noddy books published that have nothing at all to do with Enid Blyton, apart from the fact that she invented the character. At present I can't access my books, but when I can I will check out the date and ISBN number for you, but it won't be in print, so the cover picture might serve just as well.

Hello everyone. This is a lovely idea for anyone who wants to ask a question but doesn't want to register. Still not able to enter the site properly yet through my own server, so can only occassionally view the site through Keith's email, and then I get frequently cut off. So not really been able to join in the chats on the forums. Hope it will resolve itself soon.

Thanks for adding this feature as I've been wanting to ask a question but there was nowhere to email and I didn't want to register... I am trying to find an edition of Noddy that I cannot find listed in your book listings *anywhere* (unless I missed something). It should look like this picture. Or similar (ie. are there any others with a different illustration within the circle?) Same dark blue colour. I used to own one; it had several stories I believe, possibly published by Purnell (from researching online). It says "Popular Press" above the title Noddy In Toyland, with "Noddy" being in different colours. Noddy in his car driving with a present beside him on the seat. One of the stories was probably about the present... another about the dog... I cannot recall titles. It was not very thin, it was fairly thick I suppose (but not *too* thick). And no it was not about a play. I can't find the specific edition on Amazon.co.uk (or variants) and would like to know year published, ISBN and any other relevant details as I'd love to have the book again. Had it in the 1980s so published either early then or before. Thanks for any help!

And the supermarket will never replace the corner shop! I know you enjoy your trips to the market as well, Barney! ;-) As far as I can see, this message board is really, as Keith says, a place for people to post a one-off messages without the need to register - not for Forum regulars to necessarily post on (unless it's an answer or comment to a query/post).

Stephen, what do you mean I "may" be aware of Wal-Mart? ;-) It's our local grocery store (and yes, it's a supercenter version; apparently supercenters are far more common in the south though). But anyway, I doubt this message board will have any affect on the forums. On the contrary, I think it will just provide an outlet for those who until now have had no voice because they haven't wanted to register. Plus, it's ideal for those who just want to post one-off messages. I'm just wondering at this point how many of the latest messages we display on the home page -- I've set it to 20, but we'll see...

Great idea to utilise this tool on the site. Not too sure about the new cartoon series but will check it out when it's aired. Best wishes Dave

Hi to all Blyton fans from Brisbane, Australia. I have just joined this Society and it looks like great fun. I'm a Find-Outers fan from way back and am about to have a book published called Enid Blyton at Old Thatch. I hope to get it over to the UK ASAP but in the meantime please have a look at www.connorcourt.com.au It's not a politically correct dissertation on Golliwogs or hidden inferences in the dialogue of Noddy and Big ears. It is about the places Enid Blyton knew and loved and where she set the Find-Outers.

It is great to have a "Post a Message" section on this great EB website in the tradition of Enidblyton.net. Keith, since you live in America, you may be aware of that giant store called Wal-mart. oftentimes, when it opens two stores in a town, especially a small town, one of the stores (especially if one is a supercenter while the other one is a "regular" one) eventually closes down due to lack of customers in one of the stores. My only concern is that this "Post a Message" section does not develop at the expense of the forums section, which could cause it to close or shutdown, eventually. However, so far the forums section is still going strong and the "Post a Message" section may give us more choices in how we may want to post messages to this website. Some messages may be good for the "Post a Message" format while others could be good for the forum format (that is an individual choice, whichever way one wants to post).

Hey Barney, Thanks a lot for your answer. Now I'm feeling a bit relieved. Thanks a lot.

Can anyone give me information on the possible new television series, starring the Famous Five as adults?? We had an article about it in the Australia Herald Sun and I thought it would be interesting to find out more!!

I was very surprised to see an eBay seller flogging Famous Five video on dvd-r with the claim that this material is out of copyright and in the public domain. Surely this cannot be right?

Hey Guys, I have a complaint. I saw that the "Games" section had been unanswered for days. So I started posting messages. I got some replies. But from the last 3 or 4 days, there has been no reply. Was there some problem in my question?? It is really disturbing, you know, to see no one replying. So I am worried if it is my fault. Please tell me.

As a new Member, I want to emphasize the high quality of the Enid Blyton Society Journal. Thank you, Tony Summerfield.

I wanted to chip in and say that regular visitors to my own site, EnidBlyton.net, will be familiar with this "post a message" system. Hey, if it works, why re-invent it? Anyway, don't be surprised at the similarity in format. I hope that visitors to this website (whether you use the forums or not) will use this message board as a place to give feedback about the site, good and bad, as well as suggestions for improvement. And this is the perfect time to do so, as over the next few months we plan to make some cosmetic changes around here! Also feel free to comment on anything whatsoever related to Enid Blyton.

As you can see, we now have a message board in place on the Home Page. This is for the benefit of those who would like to comment on the site but have no wish to register on the forums. We also welcome any suggestions for improvements you would like to see. Please try to avoid text speak and post messages in a properly worded English sentence. We look forward to hearing from you.