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Are there still places in England that just have a single village policeman like Mr. Goon or do even villages have full police stations now?

Thanks Barney for the reply. I find House-at-the-Corner a truly inspiring book. I enjoyed all the articles in Journal 45 very much and I wonder if Anita could share with the society members the Five Find-Outers story she composed as a child, as well as the illustrations! Thanks as always to the writers for the Journals who highlighted the changes to the original text so that I may note the changes and amend my books! =D

Hi Barney. Happy New Year to you! Have a bone! And Best Wishes of the Season to your master, too. As I sip tea from my Doctor Who "TARDIS" mug that I got for Christmas, I was wondering if anyone had ever produced any Enid-related cups or mugs? What about Enid-themed audiobooks? If so, are there any audio versions that I should avoid - for example, ones that are heavily abridged or in the case of full cast audios, poorly acted?

I have a first edition (no dust cover) of First Term at Malory Towers. I lived near Enid Blyton and asked her to sign the book for me. It says - Best wishes from Enid Blyton. I was about 12 at the time. I wonder what the book is worth now and how I go about selling it. Any ideas please.

Hello Barney, Have you had a jolly good Christmas? I wish you had and I hope it is still not too late to wish you a very blessed and happy Christmas! I finished re-reading House-at-the-Corner and I couldn't help wondering if Elizabeth is based on Enid herself? For example the money she made from the success of selling her stories was just as described by David Chambers' article in Journal 45 of Enid's early days.

Barney, Why do you think the Famous Five are the most parodied of Enid's work? There are plenty more riches of Enid's that could be mined, after all.

Greetings Barney, {Barks} Looks like you've learnt to type! George's cousins have come to Kirrin Cottage for the holidays! I'm so hungry, I just had a thin little non-juicy bone from Georgina, I mean George. I read Ana's message but I'm the most handsome dog ever! Barney were all of Enid Blyton's characters real (in the novels)? Please try to spare me some of the juicy bones you get here!

My mum remembers reading a poem about some toys that came to life in the Sunny Stories series. One of the toys was a bear called Rumajo (not sure of correct spelling). Anyone know the name of the poem? Thanks.

I am trying to purchase a 1939 edition of The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton and would be grateful for any help you could give me. Thank you.

Oh, brother! I mean oh brother and sister! Now that was the story I was talking about! Er - Barney what do you mean when you said, audio recording? I actually don't know where I could HEAR the audio recording and it sounds interesting. So I thought I'd turn to you for help. And Barney uh - actually the stuffed box message I sent you er - you rather did think I was boasting didn't you? Well,sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just wanting to show how I love Mrs. Blyton! Now that's an improved spam-check question! So long! Tadaa!

Hello, I am writing an undergraduate essay on post-1945 children's literature, particularly changing presentations of parenthood. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions of particular Enid Blyton books which portray parenthood (or children replacing parents) in interesting ways. I would very much appreciate your help and would be happy to give due credit in my essay. Thank you.

Thanks, Barney! The local bookshop do not know what I am barking about, but I can get it at Amazom.com. Woof and a bone to you!

Do any recordings exist of Enid's voice and if so, can they be uploaded to the site? Why do both the Secret Seven and the Five Find-Outers and Dog take place in Peterswood? There must have been very interesting fights over who got to work on a mystery.

Hi again 'handsome fellow'! I did sound a bit solemn there when I said 'May Peace and Blessings shower over you'...didn't I? So I edit it! It now is 'May peace and juicy bones shower over you'...And as for the rabbits, you won't get so much as a single sniff of them!! That's two mails today. Goodbye! And look out for the next mail tomorrow!

Hi there, Barney! I've just owned two rabbits named Wibble and Wobble! I named them referring to Mrs. Lovely-author Blyton (Enid Blyton)in her short story book The Goblin Hat. May Peace and Blessings shower over you and make the year 2012 most memorable to you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love, Ana.

Where can I find The Secret Island in Chennai, India? My local library and bookstore don't have it. HELP!

HELP - I would like to buy The Enchanted Forest trilogy - in it's original format without all the edits and name changing etc. Can you point me in the right direction (I can't afford first editions or anything like that - need them to be affordable)? Thanks for your help.

I would like to know where you can buy the whole collection of Malory Towers and St. Clare's books in Nigeria at a reputable bookshop. They are my favorite series. :) What are yours? Anyways, Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to you. ;)

Hello Barney, Thank you for answering my questions and queries over the past year. May I wish you, all Enid Blyton Society members and visitors, a peaceful and happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Where can I buy Enid Blyton books in hyd

My daughter loves Malory Towers and St Clare's. She is doing her year 6 project on Enid Blyton and spent a lot of time writing a letter to the society some time ago. She particularly wants to find out which countries Enid's books have been sold in and when the language of some of the books was updated. Can you please tell us where we can find out these facts? Thank you.

I would like to write to you about the book Naughty Amelia Jane! I think it is amazing and please can you write back to me and if you do write back I just want to say Merry Christmas!

Hi Barney! I love all Enid Blyton books!! They are excellent!

Where can I find o' clock tails?

Hi Barney! I was always under the impression that the Malory Towers building is based on Ludlow Castle and the swimming pool based on Ludlow Cove - I didn't know Blyton had drawn inspiration from an actual school, too (obviously, I understood she must have drawn inspiration from an amalgamation of schools but not ONE school in particular!)

Hello, I just found the Society. As an English/American grandma (and dedicated Enid Blyton fan), I'd like to know if you have members in Texas. Jane

Hello, I am looking for a copy of the spoken word The Flyaway Cottage. We used to have a tape that was played in the car constantly to the delight of my children. Now a Grandmother I would love to find a copy for my Granddaughter.

Hi Barney, thanks for your reply. Yes, my edition is Dean. I'm really enjoying the book - I've got More Adventures on Willow Farm as well which I'll read after this one! Thanks again, From Poppy.

Hi Barney, just finished Five Go Down to the Sea. It was great - one of my favourites I must say! I'm reading The Children Of Willow Farm. Inside it says: First Published in 1973. This was after Enid died wasn't it? Was it found afterwards? Thanks, Poppy x

Kavita Khandekar, please PM me (I'm 'Fatty' on the Enid Blyton Society forum). I might be able to help.

Please could you tell me when Enid Blyton started writing and which prizes she acquired?

Could you please tell where in Pune (Maharashtra, India) can I get Enid Blyton's The Book Of Naughty Children = books 1 and 2?

Did Enid ever give an opinion about what she wanted to happen to her stories after she was gone? I'm curious because a lot of people have said that she wouldn't have approved of the bowdlerisation since the 1980s.

Hi, I am looking for a cassette tape of Naughty Amelia Jane narrated by Sue Pollard. My children loved it and I was looking for one for my grandaughter. Any ideas?

How can you sell other authors' work as Enid Blyton's? Shouldn't this be made clear on the front of the book? It makes me angry when Malory Towers books etc are written by other authors and it is deliberately misleading as the author's name is in small print at the back with Enid Blyton's name at the front.

I loved the twins at St. Clare's and the Naughtiest Girl. Love if any more coming out. Any chance?

I have a Noddy's Book of British Birds book I found in a box of junk. It seems to be an album to collect bird cards from jam packaging. The copy I have has a publishing date of 1955 but when I have researched the book online all the information says it was first published around 1958, like this site does. Does this mean my copy isn't the real thing? Can you help me as I would like to know more about the book. Many Thanks

Hey Barney! I have a very soft chewy bone for you! I have one question...Will there be any further adventures of the Naughtiest Girl?

Hey everyone, I'm currently working on my Bachelor thesis which focuses on the controversies related to Enid Blyton's books, specially on the "Famous Five" stories. Does anyone by any chance know any books, articles, surveys which deal with the children's reception/opinion of Enid's stories? Any hints are welcome! Thanks in advance!!

Regarding Yolanda and the missing page (16th November) Barney, is she talking about magic? Looks like she'll have to say a spell to bring the Famous Five to life and ask them to solve that mystery! Well, sorry for laughing at you Yolanda but it gets muddled up in my head, disappear, appear and again disappear. You know I just can't get the better of it! But Barney are the Famous Five actually real?

Asperger's Syndrome? Um, the poster does know that Uncle Quentin isn't real? That he's just a fictional character in a book?

In response to Richard Pearson's message. I think that you may have missed one vital thing, Richard, and that is Uncle Quentin doesn't actually exist, he's a character in a book, and I think Enid's intention was to make him interesting.

Hi everybody, I believe Uncle Quentin Kirrin in the Famous Five has Asperger's Syndrome. The reason I believe this is that when he is working he gets very upset and bad tempered when he is disturbed. He has wee patience with children and when he works in his study he has to see his work through and the study is his den where he likes to be by himself, and when not working he reads his book or goes to sleep on his couch. He dislikes noise made by people, especially his daughter and her cousins, and Aunt Fanny keeps the peace and makes sure the children enjoy a wonderful time. He does have a kind heart though. What Quentin is like is a sign of Asperger's traits and he has a funny tomboy daughter, Georgina, who only likes to be called George.

Hi dear old Barney, thanks for the reply. I hope to join the Society and have a birthday next week on December 10th, so if I get any money I can use it to join. Yes, the Trebizon school stories are great, different from Enid's and I do prefer her stories. Cheers.

I hate to admit this but when I saw your reference to the Land of Clever People, I laughed and thought of the spam checker asking questions like "What was the colour of Enid's favourite hat?" I'm writing a story where the Find-Outers go up against everyone's favourite black sheep, Edmund Blackadder. I'm looking forward to combining Blackaddica with Blytonia.

Hi Barney, thanks for your reply! I'm on Last Term At Malory Towers now. I'm really enjoying the school stories by Enid Blyton. Do you recommend I read the ones written by Pamela Cox? Anyway, thanks! From Poppy x

Interested to have the words to 'A Frosty Morning' by Methuen, Sept 1934.

In reply to Lesley I wonder if the book you are after is The Yellow Fairy Book or the retitled The Queer Adventure (1952)? This book without the dust jacket was predominantly yellow and the 1952 version mentions the faraway tree.

Hi Barney, not been onsite for a while so thought it was time I did. I ordered four Malory Towers books by Pamela Cox from my local library and have just picked up two of them today. Can't wait to see what they are like. Has anyone read the Trebizon school stories by Anne Digby? They are pretty good stories too. How much is it to join the Society? Is there a discount for students? Cheers Barney, old pal.

Barney, I went through the old, old messages of 2010 when I told you that my sister said you were 'cute'. I dunno whether dogs think themselves handsome too! And those spam check messages that you display are soooooo easy!! Oh, I'm so so sorry Sue for not replying to your message! I didn't visit the Enid Blyton Society for a year so I didn't see it. I'll try sending you a PM at once!

Can anyone help me find a large illustrated hardback book of the Faraway Tree stories? Both my daughters loved this book and I am now trying to find one for my granddaughters. I believe the cover was predominantly yellow.

Sheesh Barney! You have a strong memory! But what do you mean by her circus boy? Are you currently in England? And who taught you typing? I could pay anything for such a marvellous dog who knows how to type plus is so cute!!!

Oh hallo Barney! Hope you remember me. I've collected a whole stuffed box of darling Blyton. She has improved my vocabulary and the speed of reading a lot. People gasp at my speed. I can finish a whole fat book of Blyton in a single afternoon. Bundle of thanks to her and her phenomenal books. Anyway Barney, my question is how are you related to Blyton?

Thank you, Nigel. For some reason I can clearly see you doing your Spitfire performance!

I have just come across a coronation book, with a message and signature by Enid Blyton. It belongs to a elderly relation. Where can I find out its value? Thanks.

A great review of Enid Blyton's Magazine Annual No 2, Julie. You say that planes were probably popular with boys in the 40s/50s. I remember we all ran around the playground, arms outstretched, pretending to be Spitfires! Ah, those simple post-war years in England!

Well wonderful site! I love to read Enid's books right from my childhood. Are EnidBlyton.net and this site related?

I am writing to let you know that a stunning illustration of Enid Blyton exists which I painted as part of an exhibition of 25 literary portraits to mark the inaugural Worcestershire Literary Festival 2011. Please click here to see it on our website. Thank you.

My son was a member of the Enid Blyton Society from the age of about six. He has just finished university and started his first job and thinks this is the time to downsize his collection of books. He has two LARGE boxes of books to sell. Could you advise me of some of your members who may want to purchase some or all of these Enid Blyton books? Many thanks. Mrs. Linda Bond.

Hi Barney, Do you know if the books "Secret Seven the Short Story Collection", and "Famous Five Short Story Collection", have been edited in hardback, or paperback only?

I have the original cover artwork for the 1956 Three Cheers for Noddy. It is unsigned. Does anyone know who the artist is?

In the 1950s, as a young girl, I remember being given an annual-sized, beautifully illustrated book of The Magic Faraway Tree. I now have a 2-year-old grandchild and would dearly like to introduce these adventures. Any idea where or if it would be possible to acquire one? I have tried shops and online, but this younger version just doesn't seem "known."

I have a full collection of the Bible Pictures and cannot find any information regarding the prints, just the plates in a book. Can you help?

Hi. I have a few 1st. edition books (Famous Five, Adventure, Secret Seven, Mystery Of) with dustjackets. Is there any way of telling if the dustjacket is the original 1st. edition? (This is especially so on the Adventure series.) Perhaps there are members who could upload photos so I and perhaps others can verify that they have the originals. Only just joined so the question may be out of the Society and Barney's domain! Thanks, Frank.

Hi Barney, thanks for my Journal - I'm really enjoying reading it! I have got a question about the St. Clare's series for you! Well Enid Blyton only wrote The Twins at St. Clare's, The O'Sullivan Twins, Summer Term at St. Clare's - where Pat and Isabel were in the first form; Second Form at St. Clare's - where they were in the second form; Claudine at St. Clare's - where they were in the fourth; and Fifth Formers of St. Clare's - fifth form. Why did Enid not write about the third and the sixth? Thanks! From Poppy x

Hi, Barney! My name is Yolanda from Indonesia. I just bought Five on a Secret Trail. But, on the back, the page is gone and returned, and again lost. Strange, is it not? This is all I want to ask. Thank you, bye.

I am a relative of Enid Blyton, second cousin, three times removed.

Hullo Barney, I would have agreed with Simon about e-readers before I got one, but since getting my Sony Touch last year I haven't looked back. I have just downloaded The Governess by Sarah Fielding, a wonderful girls' school story first published in 1749 and one of Laura Lee Hope's Bobbsey Twins titles. The best thing is that out of copyright books are all free and they take up no space on my overcrowded bookshelves. Getting an e-reader does not mean ditching your collection of vintage Blytons, but it will open up a whole new world. So stick it on your Christmas list, you won't regret it.

Hi Barney, I hope you're well, I have a nice chewy bone for you. I was asked recently if I wanted an e-book for Christmas, that's an electronic book which I believe you can download stories onto. I said, no thanks. Nothing can ever replace the feel and smell of an old Enid Blyton book, turning the pages that have been turned by whomever over the years. And when I look at my Enid Blyton books on the shelves, I wonder about who once owned them and what has happened to the books on their long journey to their final resting place on my shelves. So, it looks like socks again this Christmas. Thank you, bye.

Vineet, I am heartened to learn that you have a Nook e-book reader from Barnes and Noble. While my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage, is not free of charge, it can be downloaded via Nook at an almost giveaway price.

Hi, I live in Brazil! I met Enid Blyton's books when I lived in England in 1983/84, she was responsible for my joy in reading. Since then I always have a book along with me. I saw that they published The Famous Five in Brazil and I am shocked at how they completely twisted the characters and their names. It is so sad! Certainly, my son won't be reading the Brazilian version, because it has run away from its essence. George (Georgina) was turned into a real girlish character, the only name they kept was Timmy, all the others were changed, that is not nice at all. I feel like a part of my childhood has faded. I wouldn't mind if they used another name for the book or if they just said it was based on Enid Blyton's stories, but making that the story that she wrote is offensive! I love all Enid's books, and I am so happy I have my childhood memories of them. I will surely stay far away from the bookshelf when I see the Brazilian version, so the magic doesn't go away! Sorry to write all this down, but I think you should know what they did to the stories here, maybe there is a way of fixing it! Thank you.

I live in America and I own a Nook (an eBook reader) and on their store they have some free Enid Blyton books. Is this illegal?

[Name of website deleted] has illegal copies of many of the Enid Blyton books that I have reported.

Barney, If I may inquire, how do you know that Chorion is in the process of selling Enid Blyton? I am a huge fan, and to whom could they be selling it? Where can I inquire about this? All information is much appreciated. Thanks.

Does anyone remember the name of the books about Millicent Margaret Amanda (Milly Molly Mandy)?

Who holds the rights for: Hop, Skip and Jump? (First edition: 1934, Publisher: W. & A.K. Johnston, Illustrator: Uncredited, Category: Old Thatch Series, Genre: Fantasy, Type: Short Story Series Books) - We would like to do a theatre play for children in Germany out of this story... Can you help please?

I have found 5 copies of Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, Nos. 67 and 85 (Old Thatch), Nos. 90, 92, 104, 108,and 211 (Green Hedges) and 20 copies of Sunny Stories by Enid Blyton from Issue No. 286 to 466. Where am I most likely able to sell them ?

My edition of The Adventures of Mr Pink-Whistle has the first 28 pages then repeats from the beginning to page 28 and then skips to page 61. Is it worth anything? And if so roughly how much?

Do you know where I can find the Faraway Tree Books? I want to buy the old ones, not the reprints.

I'm looking for a book about 'The Naughtiest Girl'. Where can I find one? (I live in Indonesia). Thank you.

Hi! I am writing from Sri Lanka. I am a great fan of Enid Blyton and I have about 300 of her books. I was brought up on Enid Blyton and I am very glad of the values she instilled in me as a child. I saved all my Enid Blyton books and brought up my daughter on Enid Blytons too! I would love to fly to the UK with my daughter and attend an Enid Blyton Day. But of course I need to know the date for 2012 early for me to plan for the visit! Sherryn

Hi Barney, I have been looking for the book The Children of Willow Farm. Do you know where to get it? (I live in Victoria in Australia). Thanks.

I am trying to find an Enid Blyton book that contained the short stories 'Pop the Snow Fairy' and 'The Discontented Sunflower'. It was one I had when I was a child and I am trying to find it for my little daughter. Does anyone have any idea which book they were in? Cheers.

Hi Barney, I have some dog chocs for you, enjoy. I am an English man and very proud of that. We have the queen, we have freedom, we have beautiful countryside, we have Enid Blyton, and we have please and thank you, something which I have passed down to my children. Please and thank you cost nothing but mean so much to those that receive them, thank you, bye.

In response to Jay Jay, I would have thought that your 'need' would be to use the words - thank you - and please!

I need the character analysis of Nick, Katie, Mrs. Holly, Clare and Gareth in The Riddle of Holiday House. I can't seem to find it ... do you have any suggestions?

Like Rufus, I too have been perusing the comments on this message board. As well as wondering if people thanked Barney for his trouble, I often wonder why people can't do a little more research themselves. Most of the questions (although not all by a long way) can be answered by a little research on this site. An excellent site, by the way; way ahead of other Blyton sites. Barney, you deserve an elephant's femur to gnaw on for all your hard work!

Barney, Many of Enid's books promote domesticity and traditional gender roles for girls. However, it is known that Enid as a child fought against her mother's attempts to turn her into a submissive feminine type. Why do her books promote the very thing she hated?

I have been given the "HAPPY HOUR STORY BOOK". On the first and second page it has been signed "Enid Blyton's" on top of the title "HAPPY HOUR STORY BOOK". It has the date 1968 on the inside. I am wondering if it could possibly be her personal copy that she wrote in???

Just to let you know Barney, I am now a society member! I used a different card and was able to subscribe. I am so happy! :)

Hi Barney, I have been scrolling back through lots of old messages and I felt I must write to say how I'm impressed by some of the answers you give. You really work hard as you seem to take a lot of trouble with your replies. I was amazed to see that very few people thank you for taking all this trouble, it would seem the internet generation take everything for granted, so let me thank you on their behalf for all the pleasure you give.

I tried subscribing to the Society journal through PayPal but it did not proceed my card number and now I'm confused as to why my transaction didn't get through! It was a visa debit card by the way.

I used to have The Second Holiday Book by Enid Blyton when I was a child and I would like to buy one to read to my grandchildren. Do you know where I can purchase one? It is the book with 'Giggle and Hop get into trouble' and 'Connie's Curious Candle' in it.

I have a Book in my Blyton collection called " The Queer Adventure ". It has a footnote which says " originally entitled The Yellow Fairy Book ". Can anyone give me more info about this book please

I wonder if anyone can advise. I'm trying to remember the name of a book I read as a child. It is about a girl who sees a necklace in a window and wants to buy it for her mum for Christmas, but I don't think she has the money... Does this sound familiar to anyone?! I'd like to trace it so I can buy it for my daughter. Many thanks!

I am trying to find a list of the books in the Enid Blyton Reward Series. Book 1 being Storytime Book, 2 Happy Hours, 40 The Adventurous Four Again. My three girls love to read them and I'm trying to fill in the set. Is there an easy way to find the complete list?

Anybody know the title of a book I read as a child? it was about a group of children who found a river boat/house boat and fixed it up during the holidays. Can't remember much more about the story but I loved it and want to buy it for my own child. Many thanks.

Hi. I'm a primary school teacher. I really enjoyed The Boy Next Door when I was a child and I want to do it with my class. When I enquired about getting copies for my class I was told that The Riddle of the Boy Next Door is about to be reprinted. Can anybody tell me if The Riddle of the Boy Next Door is the same book as The Boy Next Door? Thank you!

I was recently on a children's book tour and found a copy of Enid's book that I gave to my friend who teaches theater at a Jr. College. I had never heard of Enid Blyton but thought he would appreciate the book. Jerry also performs plays from children's author books. He auditions students and the play is performed in the elementary schools. When I was in the military I spent a year in England. I was stationed at Ipswich while in the air force. I see Enid went to high school at Ipswich High School. I left England in 1971 and I see she had passed on in the same year. What a coincidence. Now, I'm writing books for children that also include a c-d of music. I guess I will be learning more about Enid Blyton and reading more of her stories. Larry Keough www.fragilly.com

Hi Barney. I have some doggy chocs for you this time, hope you like them. Simply put, Enid Blyton books are there to be read and enjoyed, young or old. Thank you, bye.

If that was a message, what on Earth would an essay be like??!! ;-)

Haven't we heard enough now on Stephen's wild theories about Enid's characters? There seems to be far too much theorising about Enid's stories. As you say, Barney, if we must endure continual theorising, write on the forums, then we can ignore the thread concerned!

Paul, yes, Enid Blyton had stereotypes about many things, especially in light of the era in which she lived. Nonetheless, how about if some of those 'stereotypes' were true? For instance, in Third Year at Malory Towers (1948), Zerelda Brass flunks her history exams, including the American portion of them. Fast forward to 2011, an American educational report suggested that a sizeable amount of American students are not proficient in their own history. This observation tallies very well with the Zerelda Brass character. Since Enid Blyton followed events in America through the wireless (radio) as well as being a voracious reader of newspapers such as The London Times, The Observer, The Guardian and occasionally The New York Times etc , which covered and still cover American issues in an indepth manner, including the shortcomings in the American educational system, it goes without saying that the Zerelda Brass persona was based on Enid Blyton's observation of the American educational system as reported in the British and American media. In recent years, whenever shortcomings have been reported about the American educational system in the media, I have often referred them to read about Zerelda Brass in Third Year at Malory Towers that mirrors several deficiencies in the American educational system.

Hi Barney, I have another big bone for you as I'm sure that you've demolished the last one I gave you, and of course a big loving fuss to go with it. I hope you're well. A note for your readers, in my days as a young boy, without health and safety and political correctness, I used to get home from school, trousers ripped, plasters on my legs and stinking of witch-hazel. My mom used to say, "Serves you right, now eat yer tea." Then I would settle down and read an Enid Blyton book. Now 52 years later, I come home from work, stressed, and settle down with an Enid Blyton book. I'm so happy that some things never change. Take care Barney, bye.

Hi, I would like to ask you the ending of The Boy Next Door to compare it with The Riddle of the Boy Next Door. If you can't supply spoilers then it's just bad luck for me!!!

You should also enter reviews of other writers too like T. S. Eliot, Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, etc...

I came across a number of Mary Mouse (12) and Clicky (3) paperback books at a yard sale here in Canada. If some of your members are interested they can contact me at rroach1784@Rogers.com.

Barney I love seeing your humour, especially when it's aimed at that book! It's interesting that Enid chose a "normal" name (Sadie Green) for one of her American characters and an "exotic" one (Zerelda Brass) for the other. Of course as one reviewer noted, Enid didn't really know much about America so she relied on stereotypes which can make the modern reader uncomfortable.

Sue Berry, I support you in your observation that Enid Blyton's books are never outdated, contrary to what a few critics suggest. Whenever I have picked up an Enid Blyton book to read, I have found something very relevant to the contemporary era, be it the environment, education, science, business, you name it. In fact, this was one of the cornerstones of my writing, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage, that is to demonstrate the relevance of Blytonian Literature for succeeding generations.

Hi Barney, The Valley of Adventure edited by Thames Publishing in 1960, with 2nd cover by S.Tresilian; was it reprinted any time?

@ Barney...thanks a lot! I found the book. It's called Fifteen Minute Tales. I had the name wrong. The gnome's called 'Niggle'. I used to call it Niggle but my mom once told me that the only name similar to that in the English language is 'Nigel' when I was describing the story to her; she obviously must have thought I had the pronunciation wrong. But thank you ever so much!

Paul, When people refer to Enid's books as outdated I can only assume they did not grow up in the 30s, 40s or 50s during the actual time Enid was writing these books. My friends and I did grow up in the 40s/50s and we found her books anything but outdated, we found them very exciting and very forward thinking at the time. That's why we loved reading her books.

Thanks, Nigel. Of course, even in Western countries, attitudes towards women vary from country to country and even within countries. As someone said, if we didn't have laws in advance of public opinion, we might still have homosexuality as illegal. Someone mentioned, either on the forums or on EB.Net, that many of Enid's social and cultural attitudes were out of date even when she was writing. TV Tropes makes the same point that a writer's attitudes and outlook are formed in their teens and twenties but they generally hit the big time in their thirties and forties, so what they think is cutting edge is actually twenty or more years out of date.

Hey everyone. I'm a twenty year old Pakistani and I've been reading Enid Blyton for as long as I can remember. I remember reading about a character called Nigel the Gnome in the very first Enid Blyton book I ever read. It was a collection of short stories, a very dog eared and well-used second hand copy without the covers and I never really found out what it was called. That book is the first book I remember reading for fun and it's what got me hooked on reading as a child. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could shed some light on this little mystery and tell me what it was called. Thanks... =)

I think you are reading too much into George's psychology, Paul. It must be remembered that when George was a child, girls weren't allowed to do many things that boys could. This is what George rebelled against, and when she says "I'm as good as a boy" or in a defiant mood, "I am a boy!", it was this that she was so frustrated at. Why couldn't she go out at night? She thought (quite correctly in hindsight) that she could do the things that boys could do, gender had nothing to do with it. I consider George to be a true tomboy. Yes, she preferred shorts to a dress, but I can't see anything sinister in that. Thanks to attitudes such as George's, today's girls and women (in the West, at least) enjoy equal opportunities and respect. Now if Julian were to wear a frock and want to be a girl...

Barney, Blyton books, particularly the mystery stories, just don't work with mobile phones. Imagine if Fatty was contactable anytime, anywhere or the Secret Seven were traced by their phones while on a scout out. Onto the Famous Five for a moment, George is so one-dimensional that she is hardly a character in the true sense of the word; she embodies all that is anti-feminine and I don't think, if that actually happened in real life, that it would be at all healthy, balanced or likely to lead to happiness. Leaving that aside, she has a very poor relationship with her parents and very few friends in her peer group. (This is at the beginning of the series, though even so she doesn't seem to get much better at making friends as time goes on.) She is not a tomboy, ie a girl who enjoys pursuits regarded in the 1940s and 1950s as boyish; she actually pretends to be a boy, which is a different matter. It seems ridiculous to talk about her as if she's a real person, she's such an exaggeration of one aspect, but if such a child did exist, I can't see that it wouldn't be cause for concern that a child couldn't accept the most basic biological truth about itself, ie its sex. I'm not saying that all girls should be interested in girly things and vice versa for boys, because that would clearly be ridiculous and because it would fly in the face of observable facts; I'm saying that George is taken to such an extreme that she's not believable. Yes, there are positive aspects of her, but she isn't really a rounded character who can be analysed as if she were real.

Hi, I just wanted to know whether the titles in the Riddle series have a different plot than the ones Enid wrote by herself. I am planning to buy the Riddle series and want to be assured that the books have the plot Enid wrote. Thanks again!

Hi, I want to know whether there is a big difference between the Riddle series and the original books that were used to form that series. I also want to know specifically about The Riddle of the Boy Next Door. I also want to know whether there is a big difference between the Adventurous Four and the new series in which the titles are Stranded!, Shipwrecked! and Trapped! Thanks.

Hi Barney! Thanks for your advice on what to do in the holidays. And I've written some stories, indeed many stories that have been published! Can I send some of my stories to you so that you can view them and give me your opinion about them? I'd be happy! And I want to write to Enid Blyton, but bad luck for me! OK now, can you please give me your personal email address or your residential address?

Hi Barney! We currently have holidays but I already read all the books of Enid Blyton. Give me something to do in my holidays.

How did Enid Blyton get her first book published? I'm wanting to get one of my stories published and I thought it would be interesting to know how Enid got hers done! Thanks Barney! From Poppy.

Hello Barney! I want to know how the journey of Enid Blyton began and from where she got her inspiration. Can you help me get the information?

Hi again Barney, hope you enjoyed your meaty bone. Now I have some biscuits for you and another fuss. Please thank Julie for showing an interest in my question and thank Petermax for me for answering my question.I didn't think that Stuart Tresilian would make a mistake. Petermax's answer is interesting and I've learnt something new. Thank you, bye.

Hello Barney! I'm having a good time reading Enid Blyton's books in my holidays currently. I read that a new book, named 'Bumpy's Caravan' manuscript, has been found! How can I get to read it? Is it available in stores?

@Simon. The steering wheel that you refer to is actually known as a "yoke". Stuart Tresilian's drawing is actually quite accurate as it appears to depict the cockpit of a DC3 Dakota.

What an interesting question from Simon. I've never noticed this before. The wheel certainly does look like a car's steering wheel and not the usual pilot's wheel we often see in a plane of today. I hope you enjoyed your meaty bone, Barney.

Hi Barney, before I ask my question, can I give you a big fuss and a nice big meaty dog bone? In my 1956 The Valley of Adventure book, page 25, the picture shows a car steering wheel in the cockpit of an aeroplane. With respect to Stuart Tresilian, is this the way it should be? As I've joined the society, I'm looking forward to the Enid Blyton Day. Thank you for your trouble, bye, Simon.

Do you sell any copies of the St. Clare's books?

I also illustrated The Little Green Imp and The Little Witch-Dog. How could I forget two of my favourite books? :-)

I have illustrated twelve Enid Blyton books - Enid Blyton's Mini World Series, The Swallow Fairy, The Witch's Cat, Whiskers for the Cat and The Mischievous Panda, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Folk of the Faraway Tree, Adventures of the Wishing-Chair and The Wishing-Chair Again. Also cassette books of The Magic Faraway Tree and The Folk of the Faraway Tree.

Hi Georgina, can you tell me how and where do you celebrate Miss Enid's birthday?

Hi Gloreena, you can become an author by writing a book of magic or fairytales or take others' advice on which topic they would like to read. Use impressive words. If you want to write stories you can write them, otherwise you can write poems.

I went to Enid Blyton's birthday party. I had a super day and they let me cut the cake ;-) Yum, yum, yum.

Hi, hope someone can help. Does anyone know what reading age The Naughtiest Girl in the School is appropriate for? I am doing an SEN Course and had to do a miscue analysis on the child's reading book which was this one. Any ideas gratefully appreciated :-)

Can you tell me how to become an author?

Has anyone thought of doing a Miss Blytonia competition - it would be like Miss America only about which female Blyton characters sounded the prettiest? The Grange Hill forums had a Miss Grange Hill thread which prompted my thoughts.

If Junk did write to the publishers, would that make it Junk Mail? ;-)

Hello Barney! Could you write a monograph on 'Textual revisions of the Blyton books' and upload it to your website? This has to be detailed with photos showing the original and altered texts! There is a site with scans of all Enid Blyton first editions with original illustrations and text [website address removed] - I'll be printing them and binding them soon!

Hi, Please, how can I contact Mr. David Rudd? May I mail him a message? Thank you!

Are there any unpublished books of Blyton?

Does The Teachers World, which Enid wrote for, still exist? If not, when did it cease?

Hi. I'm confused about the "Popular Reward Series" and other short story series. Have these stories been put together from Enid Blyton's various magazines? I've done some "googling", but I'm still not clear. Thanks Toni.

I want to publish my book. Can anyone tell me how to publish it?

Thank you for suggesting the books to me! Can you tell me what the 15 main series buttons are?

What is the reading level for Enid Blyton?

I wish someone would do a proper movie about Enid's life that shows the good as well as the bad. The BBC's Enid was a disgrace. There's an unfortunate prurient desire to believe the worst of beloved children's book authors - witness the desperation by some to believe Lewis Caroll and J.M. Barrie were pedophiles.

Joan Scourfield, my sister has what you need. Would you like to talk to my sister about this?

I first started reading Enid Blyton books when I was just six years old. I grew up with the Mystery, Famous Five, Galliano's Circus, R Series, and her other stories. Now I am fifty years old and I still like to grab one of Enid Blyton's books now and then when I feel stressed out.

Is the Secret Series also known as the Adventurous Four? Which series did Enid Blyton like the most herself?

Can you please list Enid Blyton's books for teenagers?

Hi, Read a lot of those fantastic stories. Need Tales of the Toyland either hardback or softcopy, for a very special person. I have been searching the internet in vain. Please mail me (c.rudranil@gmail.com) if you have a copy, and I can pay the price instantly. Thanks.

Hello Barney! Thank you for suggesting such nice books. I will surely buy them. Well Barney, don't you think that Julie is right that we can't judge a person by his personal problems? Martin is wrong - he should not say anything about Enid.

Hello! Barney, I am Adelheid. Many, many bones for you and thank you very much for suggesting the books.

Hello, I was wondering how old the Famous Five are in each of the stories.

Ffion, I am glad that you intend to write a dissertation on some aspects of Enid Blyton's children's literature and Chloe seems to want to know what other people have written on Enid Blyton. In both instances, I would highly recommend both of you to consult my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage, which analytically examines some of Enid Blyton's best known series beginning with The Famous Five...

What do people say about her books?

Hello! Barney, can you suggest to me some books of Enid Blyton for the ages of girls 8 to 9 and also I bring two bones for you Barney. Good bye Barney! and I'll see you tomorrow.

A cousin, Alexander Munro and his wife, Ruth Moorwood were involved in illustrating a number of Blyton's children's books. I am seeking more information on this aspect of their work and would be interested to hear from anyone who can help shed light on it. I have occasional access to the Nelson archive which I hope may produce more information but its size means even a more exact understanding of when their illustrations were published would help with the research.

Hi Barney, I would like to write my dissertation on some aspect of Enid Blyton's children's fiction. It was reading her books at a young age that inspired me to study English Literature today. There are just so many avenues of interesting discussions I can't narrow it down. Any ideas?

What a great site! I have just finished reading an early edition of The Adventurous Four and would like to start reading the Six Cousins books next. Barney, do you happen to know whether the recent publications of these books have been altered by the publishers? I prefer to read Blyton as Enid intended it to be read. Cheers!

I was reading Barney's reply to you,Tom, and it is not totally accurate. Although he is correct in saying that there was only one version of Five on Finniston Farm, there were actually two dramatised versions of Five Go to Smuggler's Top. The first was produced by Rainbow in 1983, which was re-issued by Tempo in 1994. The version you are looking for is the Hodder version, which came out in 1995. All dramatised versions after this would have been that same Hodder version, so if you go for that you should get what you are looking for.

Hi Barney, I recently found an old edition (hard bound) book of Every Girl's Annual illustrated by Roland Davies and others. Published by Juvenile Productions Ltd, London. I am trying to find out which year it was published in and if by Enid Blyton. Would you have a list of all the Every Girl's Annuals published during 1900 to 1960? Thanks, Shagufta.

Hello Barney, Quite a strange one: I appeared in several Secret Seven and Famous Five audio cassettes as a kid and was wondering if you could help me find the whereabouts of one. It was in about 95/96/97 when I was 9 or 10 and they were produced by Mike Carrington Wood, and it was searching his name that brought me here actually. Basically in the Secret Seven I was George for a few books (a small part) and I have actually got one of the original cassettes. It was the Famous Five audio books that I did that I was hoping to locate. I appeared in Five Go to Smuggler's Top, (in which I played Sooty) which I actually found and purchased on iTunes funnily enough, however I only knew that it was the one I was in and not another version as I listened to the sample and recognised the voice of one of the lads I was in it with. The other one I was looking for was Five on Finniston Farm I believe, in which I play spoiled American kid Junior I think. So I looked for this on iTunes as well and I am pretty sure it is a different version to the one produced by Mike Carrington Wood, which I appeared in, as the cover is different and I don't recognise the voices in the sample. So to sum up a long and complicated message; do you know where I could find Five on Finniston Farm produced by Mike Carrington Wood on some sort of audio format? Many thanks.

Hello Barney again! Barney, can you suggest to me some good books of Enid Blyton? Well Barney, did you like the bone? There is another bone for you.

Hi Barney, At home I have a book called Enid Blyton's Greatest Book Ever. I bought it at a car-boot sale for 10p - is it a rare book, I've never heard of it till now? Thanks! Poppy.

Hi again! I told you about my book and you know the name - Active Detectives. I'll soon send you a summary of the book and even the plot. Do you have a personal email ID?

I am looking for the story about Noddy and Tessie finding a star in a pail of water. Please help.

HI AGAIN BARNEY! AS I TOLD, I HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK. I'VE ALREADY SENT IT TO PUBLISHERS AND IF THEY ACCEPT, THEN I'LL SEND YOU A COPY. AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU'RE A DOG, THEN HOW CAN YOU REPLY OR WRITE TO ME?

Hi Barney, I am just writing to say I have almost got the full collection of Famous Five books! Just two to go. From Marelise.

Hi Barney, Please could you tell me which book the stories 'A Shock for Golden Hair' and 'Harry's New Football' are in? My daughter has some little books I got from a cheap bookshop, but I'd like to buy an original if I can. Thank you.

Hi Barney, I was just writing to say I have finally reached my target of 350 Enid Blyton books and I have enjoyed every single one of them! From Poppy.

I have an Enid Blyton book called More Adventures of Willow Farm and don't seem to be able to track it down on the internet! It's illustrated by Eileen A. Soper, seventh impression 1954. I would like to know how much this book is worth to date, I would appreciate help please!

I found the St.Clare's books more happy go lucky than Malory Towers, but I loved all of them.

Hi Barney. Enid's ability to appeal to both boys and girls is pretty rare in the wider scheme of things. Even on TV today, many producers find it difficult to find hosts or characters that will successfully appeal to both genders.

The new series buttons are a welcome addition. They look really fresh and attractive. Naughtiest Girl truly "jumps" out...

I'm writing a book that is a novel named Active Detectives. I've been inspired by Enid Blyton. Please give your view on it. Please.

Hi Barney, I am searching for the A4 illustrated version of The Enchanted Wood or The Wishing-Chair. Have you got any ideas where I could find these? Thanks a million!

I'm a fan of Enid Blyton. Which author's books should I read after finishing the Enid Blyton adventure stories?

I love the Malory Towers series! I have all the books, 12 novels, right? Barney, can you give me some advice as to what novels contain stories about boarding school girls? I'm simply dying to read any of them! I am reading the St. Clare's series, but it's not as good as Malory Towers. By the way, is the Naughtiest Girl series as good as Malory Towers? Thanks awfully!

I have a set of Enid Blyton Bible story prints approximately A3 in size, probably used for Sunday School teaching as I found them in a vicarage attic. I would like to sell them. Please advise. Thank you.

Was Enid a horse lover?

Ohhh wow, I'm VERY excited because I found my all time favorite children's book, The Enchanted Wood! I read this book at a very young age and think of it often. However, I forgot the name so I googled what I could remember and it came up. :) I was wondering how many times it has been revised? And is the storyline any different? Thanks so so much.

I am staying in Singapore. I am looking for Enid Blyton books which are suitable for toddlers - 1) The Little Button Elves, 2) Pipes for Old Puff, 3) My Nut I Think, 4) The Wizard's Needle, 5) What No Cheese. I hope the books are not too expensive as I have to pay for the shipment too.

Hi, I have a book The Old Fairy Tales illustrated by Lilian A. Govey, Nelson Bumper Books. Inside it says 1937. Is there a value to this book as I cannot find it anywhere?

Hello Barney! A bone for you. I am the number 1 fan of Enid Blyton, I have read many books of hers and I have a library filled with her books only. The books that I like the most are The House in the Fog, The Sneezing Dog, The Riddle of the Hollow Tree and The Fairies' Shoemaker.

My very best friend Della mentioned we want an adventure, she was thinking of camping, but I had 5 star luxury with en-suite facilities in mind. It's a long time since I read about Julian, Dick and da crew, but did they ever stay in luxurious surroundings? Or maybe only muddy, cold and damp fields offer adventure? Please, is there anybody here that can shed some light on our first mystery? Whilst on the subject of Della's posting, I'm not sure I'd be keen on stumbling across flashing lights at midnight either....I think I'd rather nap. Night Anne.

My friend Gary and I want to have an Enid Blyton Famous Five holiday with friendly farmers who let us camp in their fields, milk and cakes heaped on us from the farmer's wife, lashings of ginger beer and lots of adventures. Gary wants to be Dick and I am going to be Anne (because I'm just a girl). Does anyone know where we can go? It is important that the farm is situated near a smuggler's den or other criminal hideout. We are not overly keen on staying with Uncle Quentin but would consider any other dwelling on Kirrin Island as long as there are lots of mysterious flashing lights at midnight. Thank you.

Loved Enid Blyton when I was a child. Was the poem which began "Zenzie sat in the dolls' armchair, her small tears dripping like rain", written by Enid Blyton? I would love to buy a copy.

I probably shouldn't say this but I wish I'd lived in the era of schools where upper forms could have power over lower forms. Some modern kids in Years 7 and 8 could use the discipline and respect for authority. Unfortunately I was at school in modern times and my school let a lot of younger pupils get away with murder. Made Grange Hill look like Cringe Hill from Marmalade Atkins.

I am interested in finding out about the illustrator Marguerite Agopian. She was a friend of my parents and an unusual visitor to my childhood home. According to your website she illustrated two of Blyton's books: The Little Witch Dog & Other Stories and the Silly Golliwog & Other Stories. Where there is more than one illustrator to a book, is it apparent who did what? If you have any additional information about her, I would love to know. Many thanks.

Hi. An update to my post of August 16th. Have had a great day today. Old Thatch in the afternoon. Garden really is superb. Lots of echoes of Enid. Blyton Close this morning. Well worth a look. Got VERY lucky. While I was there, a retired lady came out of one of the houses and we got chatting. She's lived in Beaconsfield all her life and in Blyton Close for many years. She remembered Green Hedges with Noddy outside well. Lots of anecdotes. Seems the house was pretty much where the Close road runs. This would allow for what she called the South garden - the one off the covered terrace where Enid wrote. Seems there were two drive entries. One cutting in through where number 10 stands now. She pointed out that part of the original laurel still survives in the garden of number 10. A tiny part of Green Hedges remains, and it's a green hedge. Great day. Jonty

Hello Barney. I feel I must endorse Tony's and Julie's comments regarding Martin's message. I was one of the children who regularly corresponded with Enid over a number of years and who always received a cheerful and newsy handwritten reply, even when she was on holiday in Dorset. It was, at times, almost unbelievable to fully appreciate that the person who had provided those wonderful characters and exciting adventures had taken the trouble to write to me (and to all the other children). To this day I have never forgotten the pleasure experienced on reading each new story all those years ago and, I readily confess, many times since. It was Enid Blyton, not Mrs. Waters, we were interested in, as so many of us are today. Over many decades, Enid Blyton has given happiness to thousands. What a legacy!

Enid's potential nasty side to me means that she was, like the rest of us, a complex, real human being. Sometimes nice and sometimes nasty. No one would suggest the alleged things she did wrong were OK, but considering the war horrors and cruel times she lived through, she merely appears to be as flawed as everyone else. In fact she appears even more special as she used her courage and strength to channel the woes and frustration into work that delights. Enid has made a unique, important and major contribution to English Literature throughout the world which will last for ever. Who of the rest of us 'flawed' and sometimes cruel, human beings can say that they have?

I find your point of view very strange, Martin. It is only because Enid was so successful that her personal life is well documented. I have read a great many hugely enjoyable children's books, but in almost every case I know nothing about the author's personal life at all. This blank canvas in no way detracts from my enjoyment of the books. It is also worth adding that Enid wrote handwritten replies to letters from thousands of children, I wonder how many of our present day bestsellers would be able to say the same, if they had been writing books in the same era as Enid?

Morning Barney, you're looking as cute as ever. I just thought I'd like to say that messages about Enid, such as the one Martin has given really make me angry. No one in this life is perfect, and I really don't think one should judge anybody that deeply without really knowing them personally. It's easy to listen to others, watch a TV programme on that person or read a book etc. Enid was an excellent writer for children, she was a good teacher of right and wrong and supported many good charities for children. Anyone who can be that generous by thinking of others' misfortunes surely can't be that bad. Not in my book anyway!

Did Enid ever give a detailed interview about her school stories?

Only if you have this "nasty" personal behaviour can you be a successful author/leader of a company etc. I remember from her biography that in 1944 she threw a friend and some others who were bombed out of her house. Surely not very nice. But probably otherwise we would miss The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat, which was written in this year.

Had I known just what a nasty, selfish, manipulative creature she was in real life, I would never have read any of her books.

I have a 1952 copy of The Circus of Adventure which is published by Macmillan and appears to be a first edition. I don't deal in books and would prefer to sell it direct to a fan of Ms Blyton's. My email address is maxwellevanstna@gmail.com. Book is in fair condition... but it has been read a few times!

I don't know about 'doing a notable dog', but I've had a barney with a few! ;-)

Are you a buffalodog or a bulldog?

I am doing Night of the Notables too and I also chose Enid Blyton. I love her books.

I LOVE Enid and I wish I could write like her. She's the best writer I know, I just can't seem to get off her books. If there's any series she did not complete, I'd love to continue it for her. Do you think it is possible?

Can you please tell me if there is a copy, leather bound, of The Magic Faraway Tree that I can track down to purchase?

Dear Barney and Aminmec, Thank you for your kind words. Enid herself went through many traumas in life evidently, yet despite them she appears to have wished to spread kindness, happiness, boundaries, manners, morals and always with a good ending. Now that is something I believe is not something I see in many other children's stories today. Hats off to all of you for keeping her message and work alive and this family will do its best to help.

Who inspired Enid to write such beautiful stories?

I'm doing Enid Blyton for Night of the Notables at school. I've gathered some great facts and put them into my own words from this wonderful site! P.S. Enid Blyton is AWESOME!

Welcome wishes to Mr. Burgess and family. I wish all parents would think as you do.

Enid Blyton is my idol. I've admired her all my life. Her books are my favourites.

I love Enid Blyton stories and now my own children love them too. My wife and I will keep reading as much of Enid's work as possible to our little girls before the real horrors of the world make themselves known. They will have a lifetime to catch up on what they are later. Just sent for membership for my eldest daughter who is very excited at the idea and so glad to have found this great site.

Hello. I'll be in Buckinghamshire in a week or so, and thought I might take the chance and take a look at Blyton Close. Wondering if there is anything at all to look out for from Enid's era. I imagine all is gone, but have a memory of reading someone writing that they'd been and seen what 'little trace of Green Hedges remained'. Wondered if any trees survive? Thanks.

I was just thinking that if there was one actor that could have done a perfect job in a 1960s, '70s or early '80s series based on Blyton it would have been Patrick "Doctor Who" Troughton. Just imagining him as Mr. Pink Whistle or Mr. Meddle brings a warm smile to my face. We lost one of the greats when Troughton died. Marvellous actor and a wonderful man, too.

In reply to Amy's post, There are many short stories and poems on the theme of flower-painting fairies but I can't recall any longer stories about this by Enid Blyton. One five-page story I recall appeared in one of The Daily Mail Annuals for Boys and Girls - but this by Mollie Chappell and it featured elves rather than fairies. This was called 'The Elf Who Didn't Know His Colours' and told the story of an elf who, handicapped by his inability to learn his colours in school, eventually learnt Green and was allowed out to paint grass and stems and was content with his one brush and pot of green paint. This is the only longer story on colourblind little folk I can think of!

I am looking for a book about fairies that paint flowers, and one or more of them paint the flowers the wrong colours. I've been told it's in one of the stories in The Daffodil Story Book but I have found out it's none of these - The Quiet Kite, The Little Sugar Mouse, I Don't Want To, The Squeaky Doll, The Little White Hen, The Mischievous Tunnel, Tommy's White Duck, Betsy-May and the Bear, The Boy Who Wouldn't Race.

Hello Barney, Have the publishing companies "Dragon" and "Armada" closed down? I haven't seen any of their editions after the early 90s, I think... They had especially good cover drawings on their books.

I am searching for a book that I believe is The Enchanted Wood but can't seem to find mention of one of the creatures that I vividly remember - the Jimdandy Beast. Can you please tell me if this character was ever in any of the Faraway Tree stories - or am I thinking of another book from my childhood?

The books are very interesting and I love to read them. The book which I like the most is The Riddle of the Hollow Tree and I also like the St. Clare's books. From my cousin and me.

Dear Barney, a nice meaty bone and sausage from me on behalf of Enid's birthday. Wishing a Very Happy 114th Birthday to Enid!

Hello, Barney. I like this website very much and I am sure to visit it every day. By the way, happy birthday to Enid Blyton.

I wonder what it would have been like if Enid had included "realistic" figures and places like modern writers such as Jacqueline Wilson, rather than the "imaginary England" she used. Imagine Enid's stories with a Geordie, Scouser, Brummie or Yorkie!

Oh sorry, it's me Aminmec commenting on the coloured pictures, a member of this site for some days now. I didn't mean to be anonymous. Happened without my notice. Will be looking forward to drooling over the attractive coloured "series buttons"...

The pictures of the various series that are there on the opening page of the site are very well done in colour. They look very attractive and lively. I suppose they were done up especially for the site?

Where can you download Mr. Galliano's Circus for free online?

Hi Barney, I have 22 Famous Five books by Enid Blyton all with dust-jackets but the one I want to know about is Five Go Off in a Caravan. The one I've got has no publishing dates, just blank pages. All the others have the dates. Cheers.

Hi Barney, I love Enid Blyton and I also love to write. The first book I read was a Famous Five story and I would just like to know did she base any of her stories on her own experiences in life? x

I have about 15 Enid Blyton Famous Five hardback books that are 50 plus years old. Would collectors be interested in purchasing them?

I was wondering if you knew anything about Sara and Owain Baverstock, as in information about their lives at this moment?

Did Enid back any sports teams such as soccer?

Hello Barney, Yes I thought after I'd sent my last message that I should have given my maiden name which was Atkinson. I hope someone has an ancient collection of Sunny Stories from around 1947 and is willing to look for my poem. Sincerely, Janice.

Hello Barney, Please tell me among the 1990 Dean edition and 2004 Dean edition of the Five Find-Outers reprints, which is having original Blyton text? I came across a few copies of each edition at a shop and was considering to make a purchase but am confused which to buy. The 1990 ones have the olden illustrations while the 2004 ones don't, so I'm assuming they have the original text. The 2004 ones have impresssion of Egmont as well as Dean and also cover character pictures the same as the 1996 edition of Mammoth (which I read somewhere contains the original text). So is it that the 2004 ones also have the same text? Kindly advise which will be a worthwhile buy. Thanks.

Does anyone know the poem/story - 'The Little Pink Pig'? I am looking for the words as my Mum and I can only remember part of them. Thanks, Sara.

Hey Barney, where has the link to the most recent forum posts gone from the homepage? Woof, woof.

Mid 1947, my poem was printed in the Sunny Stories magazine. I had just migrated from England to South Africa and was attending a boarding school. The amount of mail that arrived from all over the world from people seeking a pen-pal was most embarrassing to a 10 year old. Please suggest how I might search for the issue that contains my poem. I don't want to buy it - just know what I said in that poem! Many thanks for any advice. P.S. I now live in Western Australia.

Hi Barney! Who were the actresses that played young and old Enid in the 1992 BBC docudrama Sunny Stories? Is there any chance of getting the 1996 Famous Five TV cast to appear at a future Enid Blyton Day? Why was Dame Slap edited out of the Faraway Tree? Are there any Blyton/Doctor Who connections apart from her nephew Carey Blyton working on the original series as a composer?

LOVE Malory Towers - so full of surprises like a warm summer breeze.

I am trying to find a poem - my Mum thinks it is by Enid Blyton. The lines I can remember are: 'The wind blew hard/harsh and the wind blew shrill and it blew his hat right over the hill'. I think it was about a field mouse who found the hat and did not want to give it back to the owner who found a chestnut case and the lining was so smooth that the field mouse took this instead. Was it by Enid? Can you help? Thank you, Sara.

Many thanks to you Barney for the marvellous information. I really felt enthusiastic about rearing animals right now when you said that! Once again, thank you Barney!

Dear Barney, was Enid Blyton an animal-lover as most of her books contain animals, especially dogs? Did Enid rear any animals? Thanks.

I am currently trying to build a collection of 1st edition Noddy, Famous Five and Secret Seven Books. I have two questions: 1. What is the relevant difference between in some instances the 'THE' is missing from The Richards Press Ltd? 2. Why are (although shown as a 1st edition) some covers of the Secret Seven series got blue covers, and some red etc? Thanks for your help

I love Enid Blyton's books, especially the Famous Five. I'm trying to buy The Famous Five's Survival Guide. If you know where I can buy the book for a good price I would love it!:)

I gather, from reading some of the topics, that there are no legitimate ebook versions of Enid Blyton's works. Please, please, please change this decision and make them available for a whole new generation with ebook readers. I am currently reading my four and a half year old daughter the Enchanted Wood trilogy from books, however she keeps asking why I'm not using my Kindle (yes, she knows what a Kindle is) when I read to her. Perhaps a system whereby they could only be purchased from this website could be adopted. Please keep me posted, so to speak!

I see. So is it to be understood that the significance of the reprints commemorating "100 years of Enid Blyton" is only that they have the original covers and Eileen Soper illustrations, while the text gets doctored as it has always been...?

Why is Enid's work Bowdlerised? Aren't people mature enough to realise that Enid lived in a different society and culture to ours? Removing the spankings is silly and damages the plot as, for example, I can't see June of Malory Towers being cowed by a "scolding".

Hi Barney, Please enlighten me among the 1997 and 2000 editions of the Famous Five series published by Hodder – with Eileen Soper illustrations. Which one is known to contain the original unedited text of Blyton? One is having the mark of 100 years of Enid Blyton and another marked as 1st full colour edition. Also have there known to be text changes in the Noddy series of 24 books apart from the removal of the gollywog character in the new editions? Thanks.

Hi. I am trying to replace my sister's copy of The Magic Faraway Tree which she received in the late 60s. It was a red hardcover and bought in Melbourne, Australia. Could you tell me what years it came out in a red hardcover? Have found one printed in 1952.

Which came first, the Famous Five or the Secret Seven? If you are going to start which one do you start with? I have a child of 7 and I wanted to introduce her to the magical world of Enid Blyton.

Hey there Barney! I just wanna ask, what is the shortest novel Enid had written? Much thanks.

Was Enid Blyton a fan of Adventure series?

Hi, what was the name of the Enid Blyton book about a walking caravan with feet? I remember reading it as a child, but I can't remember what it was called! Is it still available?

I was reading the St Clare's books and Pat and Isabel start the school at 14 but that means that if they did the full stretch at St Clare's they would have been 21 or 22 when they left! A 22 year old secondary school student is something you usually see with TV actors playing teens, not in literature!

Will there be any cartoon series of Malory Towers?

Ah, what a pity. So all the hiding in trees, talking to the policeman and dressing up in disguise were all just for the photo covers. I always felt the kids were apt portrayals of Peter, Pam, Jack and the rest. Even you could have got the part of Scamper. So what if you're not a Spaniel? Artistic license is strong these days...What say...?

Hello Barney, Can you please tell me if there was ever a Secret Seven TV series like the Famous Five? The Famous Five TV series pictures made the covers of one edition of the Famous Five books. Were the Secret Seven covers done similarly or were they just posed pictures by people just for the book covers?

Hahaha. Thanks Barney. Are there any 'magical' novels written by Enid Blyton? I hope you could list them for me. Thanks again for you, Barney!

Hi Barney, It's interesting that out of all Enid's books, it's Malory Towers (and to a lesser extent, St. Clare's) that has the biggest online fandom. I can't say that I approve of the fanfiction writers who turn the Malory special friendships into covert or overt lesbianism. Oddly Whyteleafe doesn't get the same attention. I guess a co-ed school is less exciting to write romantic pairings for.

Hai Barney! This website is great. I really love the information on this wonderful website. I'm sure to visit it every day! A lot of thanks for you!

Hye. Can you tell me what are the moral values that I can get from this story book Tales of Long Ago? Thank you.

Back in the late 40s, early 50s (long before Susan Cooper) I read a book in which some children have a clue of "over sea, under stone." The solution is on an island (or peninsula) where there is a formation of a rock jutting out over the water. It might have been by Enid Blyton, but I can't tell from a bibliography of her books. Does anyone know if this was one of hers, or know what book it might have been? Thanks much.

Are any publishers out there putting out Enid Blyton's books in their original text? I would prefer to buy new, not second hand. I can't stand books being doctored because of ridiculous political correctness!

Hi Barney, What's the best way to keep and preserve paperback books? Apart from page creasing, how does one prevent paper browning and stiffening? Will storing in sealed plastic bags help? Does mending books with glue and tape decrease the collectable value of books? After all, it's done to protect and repair the book for long reading isn't it?

As a child I had a book written by Enid Blyton which was a collection of stories from Greek Mythology. Does anyone know the title or have a copy they would sell me? Thanks. Tess

That's OK, Barn. You're right that on the one hand it would have made a better book to accurately depict things that her school kid characters would have been interested in had they been real and that a teenager in 1940 would have been far more likely to want to listen to Glenn Miller and the then newly famous Frank Sinatra than classical music, but on the other hand I doubt that Enid knew many real teenagers. The datedness effect is still strong though. I wonder how many kids at the time read the school stories and wondered why the the kids in the stories listened to classical music instead of 1940s songs like they did. It would be the equivalent of a modern 12 year old listening to a 1955 Perry Como song instead of the latest hit by Justin Bieber.

Thanks, Barn. Funny you should mention Enid's love of classical/dislike of modern music ("modern" in the sense of contemporary to the 1940s/50s). I think it was either The Naughtiest Girl or St. Clare's where a girl goes into town and uses her precious pocket money to buy a record to play on her form's phonograph but instead of buying a Tommy Dorsey or Frank Sinatra or Glenn Miller record - as you would expect a teenager in the early 1940s to do - she buys a record featuring a great composer of classical music. It breaks one's suspension of disbelief to say the least. A number of younger 1940s readers probably snorted at Enid for that little gem!

I have a set of the Faraway Tree Card Game which is missing the 8 penalty cards. Do you know where I could get them?

Hi Barney, Please enlighten me about "editions" and " reissued ". Does edition imply that the text is changed from the original writing? As regards Famous Five - First there were the hardcover books with Eileen Soper drawings, then ones with painted scenes with FIVE in bold, then TV series covers, then digit 5 covers, then the stylish characters drawn, then golden printed covers and so on... Are they having text changed in them? In which edition can one be certain of original writing...?

Did Enid like classical or did she like later music? I just can't imagine her singing along to Glenn Miller or Buddy Holly.

Where can I get Enid Blyton books in Nigeria? I'd like to be a supplier. Thank you!

I have just read all the Malory Towers and St. Clare's books. I am 53.

I have been an Enid Blyton fan since I was a small boy but find it is so hard to find her books in hard or soft cover. One in particular I would love to read again was the one about the family who lived in the house at Riversend. The dad was a surgeon and his kids were Tony who was a prankster, Dorothy who was a spoiled brat, Liz who was a book worm and there was an old aunt who showed up and stayed with them and tried to impart some good manners to the children...I think it was called The House at Riversend.

Hi Barney! What's the book where a girl draws another girl as a saint with a halo of sharpened pencils? It's been 20+ years since I last read Blyton in any depth so my memories are hazy.

Dear Barney, my name is Tiggy and I have just learnt to read. My mummy said that I would enjoy Enid Blyton stories, but I was just wondering if Miss Blyton wrote any stories with cats in them. Thank you - Tiggy (I am a cat).

Hi Barney! This is the first time that I have visited this site. And I already love it! I just wanted you to convey my 'Thank You' to the team responsible for creating this site!

Hey Barney! We had an essay-writing competition in school and the topic was 'My Dream Invention' and in that I got an idea to write about inventing a marsh absorber. I had taken the idea from Five Go to Smuggler's Top where George's father had invented this machine! Although it was only a small part of it I decided to expand it according to my own ideas and I secured first in that competition! I am so thankful to Enid for this and I wish to celebrate my happiness with you by giving you A Big Meaty Bone!!! Enjoy and thanks once again!

Hi Barney! Do you think Enid would have continued being as popular had she lived longer and not had dementia? The BBC article about her on their site mentions that the world she portrayed varied little between the early books written in the 1930s and the later books written in the 1950s, despite the major technological and social and cultural changes that had taken place in England. I have this sad feeling that the world would have passed a living Enid by and she would have been rejected to an extent - although not completely - in favour of authors more in tune with a changed world. Death was perhaps the best thing that happened to Enid Blyton as we never got to see her try to deal with the turmoil of the Swinging Sixties, a fight she would not have won.

Thank you, John, for your kind comments about our photographs and my forum comments! We had a fabulous time at Old Thatch - not sure about rabbiting at Salisbury Plain on Boxing Day though!

Thanks for the explanation, Barney. Well, while we wait for the Bun-Dorg's appearance I'm certainly thrilled to know that Shadow the Sheepdog is out!!! Meantime, I'm re-reading Journal 44 and the Enid Blyton's Nature Lover's Book article got me to check out the review in the Cave too. What a beautiful cover illustration and I chuckled at the writer's attempt to check out Enid's description of the birds chirping from the Internet. Brilliant idea.

Hello Barney, I have two questions for you. In Anita's review of The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor in Journal 44 it was mentioned that Arabella's slippers with "swansdown trimmings" was not considered politically correct by the 1970s and was changed to "blue silk slippers". Why is it so? Any idea if Mr. Tumpy's Caravan will be published in its original form any time soon? I enjoyed the Naughtiest Girl review with its other insights. I also like the analysis article on The Secret of Cliff Castle and gotten many tips on some of the original text. Sometimes I get tips from the readathons in the forum and from illustrations from the Cave! so that I can amend my books. Haha. 'Buster - The Adorable Scottie' is also another delightful article which reminded me of his contributions in solving some of the mysteries. I love all Enid's articles in the Journal. Here's a juicy bone for you!

I need to buy Enid Blyton's Good Night Stories, Purnell Sunshine Library, 1972. I have it with me but it is very old and beginning to tear.

Hi, I would like to purchase the book again, Shadow the Sheepdog. I read it as a child so many times I lost count. Can you tell me where I can find it please? Thank you, Jo.

Hello again Barney! As a member of the E. B. Society, may I say how much I enjoyed seeing Nigel and Jane Rowe's fine photographs of the 'Gathering at Old Thatch' and say thanks for these. I almost felt I was there and wish I had been! What a magical garden! I always laugh at Nigel's comments on the forums, too! Just my sense of humour! I'd also like to say 'many thanks' to Trevor J. Bolton and other authors for writing the eleven novels serialised weekly for members' enjoyment. However busy I am, I make it a golden rule that I always find time to read each new instalment along with my 'elevenses' every Monday morning. I also love the colourful banner heading artworks prepared for each story - which I presume are Keith's work? For those who are not members of the Society, I'd say it's well worth joining for the escapism and enjoyment these novels a provide - let alone receiving the three great Journals every year! All best wishes, See you on Salisbury Plain next Boxing Day for some more rabbiting. John

Is Stephen Isabirye's family rich now due to his book being published?

Did Enid have a friend like Alicia?

In my opinion, Adam Muhammad's question as to how Enid Blyton's family is faring financially is very pertinent, especially in light of the celebrity-crazed world we live in. People all over the world want to know how the big celebrities' families such as that of Enid Blyton's are faring. If or should they be eating from trash cans, that can be very "newsworthy," especially from the point-of-view of the current tabloid-infested news media. It was George Greenfield, her long-time literary agent, that tried to answer what Enid Blyton's family was up to since her demise, in his biography on her titled Enid Blyton, when he told us that the Trocadero/Chorion company that took over from the Darrell Waters Company that had been running Enid Blyton's publishing affairs, from the late forties/early fifties through 1996, when it took over the company, it had decided that Imogen Smallwood and the late Gillian Baverstock, both daughters of Enid Blyton, as we all know, remain directors of the then newly-renamed Enid Blyton Ltd, ostensibly to ensure that the Enid Blyton books remain to their true original characteristics. In fact, they were to ensure that despite the updates that had been taking place in many of Enid Blyton's books since the early 1970s, remain to their intentions; thus this is the debate we are still grappling with in light of the recent updates of several of Enid Blyton's books. I am not sure how effective the two women were or have been in this aspect. However, I know that from my rudimentary knowledge of several companies, a director's salary is oftentimes very lucrative. In addition, a person such as Gillian Baverstock and I guess, also Imogen Smallwood, could supplement these company economic dividends with the income they garnered from their teaching careers, let alone from the inheritance arrangements that befell upon them after the deaths of Kenneth Darrell Waters and Enid Blyton, respectively. They may not have become as fitly rich as the Americans in these situations, but certainly since the demise of Enid Blyton, the Blyton family has not been eating from the bins.

I have a hardback book of The O' Sullivan Twins awarded to me as a school prize in 1958, I can find no reference to it, could you please help?

Is Enid Blyton's family rich now due to her books being published?

Hey Barney! Is the book Dame Slap and Her School based on the books of the Faraway Tree? I really really love the Faraway Tree books very much. Thanks.

Hi Barney! Would anyone be interested in publishing a series I'm writing showing Darrell's adventures at St. Andrews?

Hi. Back in the 80s I once owned Shadow the Sheepdog. I read it so many times I lost count because I loved it so much. It had no pictures (I recall) and had a plain yellow cover with just the title. I'm not sure if it was an original or a reprint. I would love to see if I could find another book. Thank you.

Hey Barney! Hope you enjoyed the bone? Will Pamela Cox continue writing Malory Towers? If so...then who will be the main character?

Hi Barney! I entered a writing competition a couple of months ago. Well, it was for Red House Books. My story that I entered is being published in their Red House Young Writers' Yearbook 2011! I get a free copy as my prize and I have been invited down to Surrey to go to a writing workshop! Anybody can buy the book on the Red House website! I am inspired to write by Enid Blyton! Can't wait to get a copy of the book! Thanks! From Poppy xx

Hey Barney! A Very Giant Sized Bone for you! What inspired Enid to write Malory Towers?

Hey there Barney. Is Enid Blyton a tomboy or boyish, as she had stated that George in The Famous Five was based on herself?

I wish Enid had been more careful with her use of foreign and ethnic stereotypes e.g. the "rolling eyed" black villain in one story, black characters seeming to have accents reminiscent of the racist American sitcom Amos 'n' Andy and the way Zerelda Brass seems to be treated like some sort of exotic pet by the English girls in Malory Towers. Enid grew up in the Edwardian era but that only explains her insensitivity, it does not excuse it.

Hi again Barney! Have a bone! Were characters such as Alicia and June from Malory Towers and Angela and Alison from St. Clare's based on real people from Enid's school days? Did Enid have a television in the 1950s, as with her money she could have afforded one?

Hi dear old Barney, not been on for a while due to essay resits for uni! I've seen Poppy's message to you, wondering if you had heard from me. Well, I have been in touch and we're both happy. Do you know of any clubs for fans as well as the Society?

Hi Barney! I remember wanting to write to Enid as a little one and then being crushed to find out in one of my parents' books that she was dead. Her books made her seem so alive and current despite the editing even in the '70s versions I read back then.

Hello Barney, if I was to be asked questions on Enid Blyton what are the most important pieces of information that I need to know? Thank you very much Barney! :D

I require information on a number of books in my possession by Enid Blyton. Five Get Into a Fix is a hardback copy with Miss Blyton's name and holiday address in Yorkshire written by herself. The Family at Red-Roofs, The Adventurous Four Again and The Red Story Book - these last three are all paperback and are all dated pre 1967. I would appreciate any information re the value of these books.

Thanks Barney!

Dear Barney, How old is Enid Blyton now?

Is Enid Blyton's voice recorded on an LP - perhaps reading one of her stories? I believe I have an LP with Enid Blyton reading Noddy - is this a collectors' item?

Hi, Barney. I really love to write stories cause Enid Blyton has inspired me very much, so how could I submit my work to any publisher? Thank you very much Barney.

Thanks for answering my question, Barney. How many novels has Enid Blyton written? I really want to collect all her novels. Millions of thanks for you, Sir Barney.

Like this website cause I can get to know about Enid Blyton's books. I hope this site will continue to provide more and more about our beloved author, Enid Blyton. Thanks.

Hey guys, I am also making a website hope u like...it's coming soon...I'll tell you the website URL!

On Sunday we have an antique and collectables auction. Lot 478 a bible signed by Enid Blyton you will find more details and images on our web site www.gilbert-baitson.co.uk. if you require any further information please contact me.

Just found this site. Am 72 years old. Didn't realize Enid had passed away so long ago as I now live in the USA. She taught me the joy of reading, the excitement of adventure after the war years, and today, doing a crossword puzzle, her name came up as a clue. Thanks Enid for the joy you gave to a child.

Hi Barney, have you heard anything from Sue lately? The last time I heard from her was on the 12th. Just getting a little worried! Thanks. From Poppy xx

I seem to remember Anglican church services in one of the school stories, possibly Malory Towers - was Enid religious herself? It's a shame Enid had dementia and died early - 71 isn't that old these days and she could have contributed so much more.

Barney, I've read St.Clare's and the Naughtiest Girl series. I just loved them! Will there be a continuation series of the Naughtiest Girl, because it ended in the students' second form? SO?

I have two Famous Five jigsaws...Do you know if anyone would like to buy them ? Thank you. Elizabeth.

Hi Enid Blyton fans - just wanted to let you know I have an Enid Blyton Sunny Stories calendar for the year 1946, complete with its original Brer Rabbit envelope, listed on eBay at the moment. The only reference I have been able to find about it was on the Enid Blyton Society website - would like it to go to a collector!

I like Mr. Galliano's Circus. Have you read it yet? I have read it about twenty times now and my parents are beginning to worry about me! I also like The Secret Island and almost every other Enid Blyton book.

I am a great fan of Enid Blyton. I just love her Malory Towers books. Can you tell me will there be another school life series just like Malory Towers? My favourite character from the series is Felicity. Can you tell me who inspired Enid Blyton to write Malory Towers?

I am your number 1 fan. I have got the Secret Seven, naughty Amelia Jane, Magic Faraway Tree and lots more of your books! I hope you get this message soon. My mum read your books when she was little, and now I do. You are my hero! When I grow up I want to go to Julliard or be a writer just like you and write children's books. I am glad to say I look up to you. Love from Macey Collins!

Haha. I woke up down today. You've cheered me up!

What happened to Michele Gallagher of the 1970s Famous Five TV series? The Internet doesn't seem to be sure as to whether she is alive or dead.

How long did it take to write every book?

What is the letter from Enid Blyton and the badge and the eBay? Please tell me.

Hi Julia, I'd love to buy the Famous Five Club letter from Enid Blyton and the badge from you. Sorry I can't go on eBay as not earning so can't afford it. How much would you sell it for?

Can anyone recall the name of a book by Enid Blyton in which a family cross the Atlantic on a luxury liner?

Would like to know if Famous Five BOOKS by Claude Voileur are still in print or not,can they be available. Regards

Hi, I read all the Malory Towers books. Are the St. Clare's books good?

I read all Enid Blyton and worshipped her as a kid. Now with two little girls I am re-reading. But I'm confused. I remembered Malory Towers girls eating anchovy toast on every page and they never ate any. We've nearly finished St. Clare's and haven't found any in its pages either. Where oh where is the anchovy toast? I remember all the characters and so many incidents, how could I have got so confused about a snack?? Please help me! Thank you.

Hi Barney - Many thanks for the information you provided regarding my query of 25th May regarding my Famous Five Club Letter from Enid Blyton together with the Badge - I am now selling them on eBay and would love an Enid Blyton Society Member to purchase them.

Hi Barney! I was reading an article on global warming and it mentioned that low lying places like London will most likely be under water in a few decades. Did Enid do any stories on the environment?

Hi Barney!- Yes I'm going on to Claudine at St. Clare's now, so I'll just wait until I find Kitty at St. Clare's somewhere! Thanks for your advice! From Poppy xx

An elderly friend talks fondly of reading an Enid Blyton book that had two possible outcomes, I think you could turn the book around to read either the sad or happy version. I would dearly love to find this book if any Society members are able to identify what the title could be! Sorry, I know it's not much to go on!! Thank you kindly.

Is it known what caused Enid's dementia? Is there any chance of Enid's original texts being made available or do we have to put up with the bowdlerisations?

Ooops Barney :-)...thumbs up to Tony & David!!! Oh, by the way, I'm so excited to read about the new discoveries compiled by David Chambers in Journal 44, I find myself reading all the small printed stories, lines and poems although they are not complete! Back to my problem is, you see Barney I'm currently going through The Teachers World 1922 Volume XXVI, Issue 885 - February 15th and there are 1,271 pages. I've already seen page 60 and so moving to page 61 would mean I've to click the arrow key 60 times before I reach my next new page 61. It would be good if there was a facility where we could specify the page we wished to go to, either forward or backward.

Hi Barney, thanks for the information you gave me. Is there any point in reading Kitty at St. Clare's then? I can't seem to find the book anywhere and I do not want to pay full price in a proper shop! Will I not miss any thing important? I am really enjoying the series! Bye for now!- From Poppy x

Hi Barney, I'm presently looking through the The Teachers World articles in the Cave and I'm having difficulty moving to the next article as I have to keep clicking until I come to the new one. Can anything be done to to make it easier to go to a certain page so that I can skip those I've read? Looking through all the volumes you have put in the Cave I can only imagine what great labour and love you have for your work and I cannot thank you enough!!!

I've spotted an advert in the July issue of BBC Homes & Antiques Magazine which I think will interest Famous Five Collectors. The Subscribers Issue was delivered on the 29th. In the 'Buy & Sell' section on Page 125 there is the following:- "Vintage Famous Five Shop Mannequins, upper torso of Dick and Julian characters on metal rods and stands, with moveable limbs and lively facial expressions. Good condition £200 ono". A phone number follows. I've never heard of anything like this before, and I've been collecting for years. I don't have the room, so thought would give someone else a chance. Would love to hear where they end up.

Were Claudine or Zerelda based on real life people? Too often I hear that they were based on negative foreign stereotypes held by people of Enid's time.

I love the Find-Outers so much and Goon too in his behaviour with children. I want to know each and every thing about the Find-Outers, especially Fatty and Bets. If you know all about Fatty and Bets then tell me each and every thing.

Hello - I've just come across your wonderful website whilst looking for something to do with the children this half-term. I see the Enid Blyton Day has been happening in May for the past few years but see no details for this year's - is there/was there one? I was also wondering if the house in Well End is open generally to visitors, again thinking of a visit for my children. Many thanks.

Hi Barney, at the moment I am reading the St. Clare's books. I am reading the books with the cover illustrations by David Roberts. Today I just noticed that on the inside of the front cover there is a page of the images of the books in the series. The only books that I haven't got are Kitty at St. Clare's and Sixth Form at St. Clare's. Well in The Twins at St. Clare's and The O'Sullivan Twins there is an image of Kitty at St. Clare's, however in the rest of the books there is no image of that book. I checked it out in the list of the titles in the series. Kitty at St. Clare's was not listed there either. Why do you think it's not listed? From Poppy xx

Do any of Enid Blyton's children's stories feature woodland creatures called Zenzie and Daffy (a Daffodil) who have adventures flying on a Sycamore spinner,used as transport? I remember the story from the late 40s or early 50s but don't know the book title or author - only one line from the end of the story, which was, "'It's nice to be home,' said Zenzie". My mum always quoted it when we came in from shopping! Sorry I can't supply any more information than that, but would love to find the book.

My very first record was a plastic 45" record of a Noddy story which was free when you sent off tokens from packets of Ricicles. It had the story of Noddy going shopping and his adventures shopping and meeting his friends en route. He did some misdemeanour and got into trouble with Mr. Plod. However it's the couple of songs he sang - 'Goodmorning Mrs. Fluffy Cat' and the one with his shopping list which were my favourites. I'd love to have the words to all the songs if anyone has them. Don't think a record would have survived. My Dad bought a stereo system - so there was no way I was allowed to play my Noddy record again. I know I kept it for ages but as with all things - it just disappeared eventually. Mention some 'slices of ham' though and we still burst into the line - 'some slices of ham, a jar of jam, a great big packet of Ricicles and we're sure to have lots of fun'. Happy days.

Hello! I would like to know how old Gillian Baverstock and Imogen Smallwood are? I'm writing from Johannesburg, South Africa. Thank you. (Love the website!)

Hi, After reading some of Enid's books I was wondering: What's the difference between a gramophone and the record player from the 1970s that my parents have? What's the difference between a Head Girl of a Year level - "form" in Blytonese - and Head Girl of the school? Did Ginger Beer taste different in the 1940s - I had my local shop get some in and it didn't taste that good?! Is there a place that sells lollies of the Blyton days so I could try some?

I love the Find-Outers so much and I also like Mr. Goon. He is a special character in the novels.

I joined the "Famous Five Club" during the 1950s and still have the original letter and club badge sent by Enid Blyton. The address at the top of the letter is 20 Warwick Square, London EC4 and Enid explains why she wanted to form a Club and encourages members to "Join up with other F.F. members and have some fun!". I would now like to sell this letter and badge - who should I contact?

Further to what Jennifer said (May 11th) I think that Alicia was giving the first form head girl permission to punish June. I think the head girl was afraid of upsetting the mighty fifth former, with such a reputation and who had been a huge troublemaker herself.

Are there any plans for a story featuring Darrell at university? The question comes from my younger sister who after reading Last Term at Malory Towers said, "Is the next book Darrell Rivers goes to University?" I notice that nobody was allowed to move up to the second form at St. Clare's until they were ready academically, and girls were always being kept back, hence Elsie and Anna staying down when the twins et al moved up. I could imagine that working at my school quite nicely for those dolts who really can't be bothered, but then I fear we'd have 16 year olds in Year 7...Quite the incentive if you're supposed to be in Year 9 and you're still languishing in Year 7.

I have a copy of 'Treasury' signed 'love from Enid Blyton' which I am auctioning on behalf of the Salvation Army. It is not a perfect copy, but I doubt if all have this inside! I am trying to get the best deal I can for the charity ... the auction is on 4th June, I have no idea of the value.

Hi Barney! Thanks for the information you gave me about the stories that are displayed on the website. Can I still send one in and see what you think about it or would that not be appropriate? Thanks again! From Poppy xx

Hi Barney! Do you know the novels that are shown on the webpage of the society? Well I was wondering who writes them. I am interested in writing and I love writing stories. Do you allow members of the society to write stories and display them on the website? Thanks! Bye for now! From Poppy xx

Hi, I love Enid Blyton's novels as well as short stories. There seems to be an error in the article on Malory Towers in Wikipedia. It is mentioned that the anonymous letters sent to Moira are actually sent by Alicia and not June. I am sure it was June who sent the letters, right?

I've enjoyed reading all the mystery collections of Enid Blyton. I've read them ALL :] Can you suggest to me some interesting mystery stories like these...?

Why didn't Enid cover every form in the St. Clare's books?

Hi Barney, When I was a small kid my father used to read stories from the book Tales of Long Ago and I really used to enjoy those. Now, I want to buy that book and have been searching in vain for the past ten days. Can you suggest where I can buy this book? Thanks, Gopinath, Bangalore, India.

Hi, 40-ish years ago my brothers and sister and I loved to read a book of short stories but I can't remember the title. It had a yellow cover and had 'Junket Through the Window' and another story about a child who was supposed to wash all the flower pots but only did a few so didn't get his payment (which was hidden in the last one). The stories all had morals. I would love to find it again.

Hello - I am trying to find a book that I treasured as a little girl and I really want to share it now with my little girl - it was about three pixies called Hop, Skip and Jump but I can't remember the title - can you help?

I love the Find-Outers novels and Find-Outers so much...there is no limit to liking them, especially Fatty and Bets and the mysteries. Can you tell me about the new covers of the Find-Outers books published by Egmont? The five real children totally look like the Find-Outers. I want to see them.

Hi Barney Dog, please could you help me find some stories I remember from a long time ago including one of two sisters, living with their mother who needed to go out to visit someone who was sick so left them to share the chores. One sister was lazy and left the other to do the baking (bread, apple pie, etc) and clean and look after the house, but then took the credit when mother returned, blaming her sister for laziness. Also I believe in the same book was a girl who told lies and the ring on her finger would tighten with every untruth. There are so many I remember but not their titles and the books were lost. Please, are you able to help? I look forward with excitement to your reply.

Hi Barney, Could you tell me if the Enid Blyton newsletter is still available as a friend just told me about it? I do have a feeling it may have ceased but want to make sure. Cheers.

Thank you for the explanation. My childhood copies were the 1970s reprints so I was somewhat shocked a little while ago to hear young Blyton fans talking about Bonnie and Freddie in Malory Towers as though those characters were part of the original series and not those non-Blyton continuation books. All I could do was sigh and feel very old.

Hi Barney! Why are spankings - such as with a hairbrush in Malory Towers and St. Clare's and by Dame Slap in the Faraway Tree - edited out from new editions? Children are intelligent enough to know that the spanking is just pretend and just because we don't do corporal punishment anymore doesn't mean it should be removed from books set at a time that it was still used.

Hi there, can anyone help me with the name of a book I loved as a child where some children ran away with another boy to an island and built a house out of willow branches to live in? They moved into a cave in the winter and were only found when the boy was caught at the shops buying Christmas presents for the other children. I would love to know so I can read it again. Thank you in anticipation.

Hi! I remember reading this book about three kids (I think) who found a hole in a tree which they stayed in and had their adventures. I can't remember the title. It's definitely not the Faraway Tree or The Tower in Ho-Ho Wood. I've been looking for it for years. Would appreciate it very much if you could help. Thanks!

When did schools stop using the terms "first form", "second form", etc? How does Alicia have "authority" to tell the head of the first form to punish June - Alicia isn't a member of staff? How did "fagging" work? It seems to be a bit different in Malory Towers and St. Clare's to what Roald Dahl says in his book Boy.

Could anyone tell me if Enid Blyton ever visited Chesil Beach near Burton Bradstock - or just Chesil Beach in general!

Hi, I am searching for the audio cassette tape I used to listen to as a child, Five Go to Smugglers Top. It must be more than twenty years old now! Can anyone help?

Ooh...I love the Boxed Games & Craft!!! I can just imagine the height of Enid's popularity with all this merchandise. The Noddy embroidery set is so sweet and I love the Post Office and Sweet Shop! I'm just so thrilled looking at all the jigsaws, stencils, die cast models etc. wishing they were mine. Looking forward to seeing more! A Big Thank You :-)

Hi Barney, thanks for your advice - going to try the website you recomended now. Thank you again! From Poppy x

Wow! I can't believe I found you. For years I've been trying to find at least the original three books that I found in my public library when I was in elementary school. I loved those books, reading them multiple times. I found them originally because I read all the books in the fiction section starting at one end and never quite making it to the other end. (We moved before I could get there and the next library was set up differently .) Your books started my interest in mystery adventures long before I found Agatha. I am glad you are still writing and, even though I am in my 60s, I intend to catch up with the original characters and those that follow. Thank you!

Barney says: Clever though my paws are, I don't use them for writing books! Enid Blyton died in 1968 but the best of her lives on in her books and it's a testament to her writing that most of her novels and many short stories are still in print and continue to bring tremendous enjoyment to children - and a fair number of adults! I hope you enjoy rediscovering the books of your childhood, Susan, and trying ones you haven't read before.

Hi Barney, Further to my previous question, in the Award Publication of The Ragamuffin Mystery,Chapter 2, page 18 there is a phone number for Mrs. Lynton (Roger and Diana's mother) to call, 01392 68251, about her sick sister. UK dialling codes were prefixed with 01 in April 1995, so I'm right in saying text HAS been updated to modern day times. How does this differ from the original text?

I was writing some content to share with people in my field of work and I had to refer to Enid Blyton. I didn't like many books when I was young, simply because of the copy - Enid's writing was so direct and to the point I used to actually look around me reading her books thinking that I'm being selfish not telling people how excited I am reading her book. That's really crazy to think, my daughter loves her books as well and I was not the one to tell her about her books, she simply picked it up from the study. I want to say thank you to this woman, her books took me to places that I never knew existed. I actually liked one book so much that I read another book by her and was a bit browned off that I thought it wasn't as good as the other one, lol, so I read it again and again and again.

Hi Barney! Just remembered that in Seven Stories I saw a poster advertising a Famous Five Competition. Do you know about it and please could you tell me the address for the website? Thank you! From Poppy x P.S. Wuff wuff!

In defense of Stephen and his book, you have to admit that Miss Moneypenny is clearly the creation of an avid Enid Blyton reader. And there are other famous Bond character names that stink of Blyton, such as Agent Strawberry Fields, Mary Goodnight, and Pussy Galore (this last one being inspired after Fleming read The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat).

The wíld speculations show that many things concerning the "inner world" of Mrs. Blyton are unknown. Contemporary witnesses seem to have died except her daughter. As she has already written a book about her mother, she is perhaps inclined to tell some more facts. Surely it will be a difficult diplomatic act to motivate her, I can imagine she is not too glad to be reduced to the role of being "the daughter of Enid Blyton". But Barney seems at least to know her a bit, so it would be worth a try.

Yes, there are some linkages between Enid Blyton and Ian Fleming, albeit in some remote scenarios, after all, Robert Druce, author of This Day Our Daily Fictions: An Enquiry into the Multi-Million Bestseller Status of Enid Blyton and Ian Fleming, wrote a full book on the two writers; an aspect that suggested how both writers had much in common. We are also reminded in this book that Five Go to Billycock Hill was published in hardback in 1957, the year which also saw the publication of From Russia, With Love. Thus, we cannot rule out an incipient competition between the two writers as this sentence suggests. Therefore it is quite possible that Ian Fleming, indeed may have been inspired by some of Enid Blyton's writings.

Hi Barney, I'd had a pretty grim day, watching the Bradford Bulls get mauled by the Warrington Wolves 14-58.... So my sincere and heartfelt thanks to Stephen, for providing me with a good laugh, with his Blyton/Fleming theory.

Hi Barney, last week I visited Seven Stories. It was really good! There were lots of Enid Blyton things - I saw Mr. Tumpy's Caravan in Enid's typewritten version! Wuff! Wuff! From Poppy xx

Oh, I don't know, Tony. SS - could that mean Secret Service? If so, there's a connection between our Seven and James Bond! Thank goodness Stephen hasn't yet made the connection between the Secret Seven and the Schutzstaffel - the Nazis' SS. Imagine Adolph Hitler being influenced by Enid Blyton - or even the other way round! Stephen, you are incorrigible!

Of course, those of us who somehow are still interested in buying the book cannot manage to get hold of it... I thought some of it may be useful for my dissertation but it would appear that by the time I get hold of a copy or Stephen bothers to read the PM I sent him, I'll have finished and he will have lost another customer from all who have become slightly fed up with his unfounded theories...

You do come up with some incredibly strange theories, Stephen, many of them are just plain laughable. Can you seriously expect anyone to believe that Ian Fleming was sitting there reading a Secret Seven book and suddenly said to himself, "Now there's a good idea!". I cannot imagine that anybody reading one of your bizarre theories (and there are plenty of them) would be encouraged to buy your much advertised book.

Aren't we lucky that Stephen Isabirye never smoked as a youngster? (He told us on the forums that as an asthmatic, smoking could have proved fatal). Where would we be without his fantastic fantasies? The world would be a duller place. :-)

Chaz, on the contrary, in my opinion, it is the reverse. It was Ian Fleming that plagiarized Enid Blyton. As I argue in my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage, Enid Blyton first published The Secret Seven in 1949. Then three years later in 1952, when Ian Fleming began his James Bond series, he gave his agent titles such as "secret agent" and "007." I do not think "secret" and "7" were coincidental in Ian Fleming's James Bond. In my opinion, those two words had Blytonian origins in them. In any case, Enid Blyton commenced publishing both the Secret Seven and the Noddy series in 1949, while Ian Fleming commenced his James Bond series three years later, in 1952. Therefore, the question of Enid Blyton having plagiarized anything from Ian Fleming does not in any way arise, though it appears that the two writers (together with Agatha Christie in the mix) became cut-throat literary rivals in the 1950s.

Hello! I read about the 'Famous Five' books being updated and I think it's ghastly that anyone even thought of it, let alone publishing them. What horrid, nasty people! Does any library in England have the original editions of Enid's books? Also is there any plan to publish an edition for adults with the original text and illustrations?

Did Enid Blyton plagiarise Noddy from James Bond creator Ian Fleming?

Hi, I was thinking of opening a cafe called The Magic Faraway Tree. Would anyone know if there would be any copyright issues with this? Many thanks.

I would like to contact the company/person responsible for copyright of Ms Blyton. I'm interested in translating her work into my local language.

I've had a pleasurable time reading the poem 'An Easter Song' and the story 'Legend of The Lilies', an Easter story. Now I know what is an arum lily and the 'lord and ladies' lily. Thanks for all these uncollected poems and stories, they are such joy to read and I truly enjoy looking at the vintage illustrations. Happy Easter!

Enid wrote a lot of books about life on a farm so I was wondering if she ever lived on a farm?

What word did Enid use for happy and cheerful?

This weekend my conservation group is playing host to our "twin" group from France, and it has only just occured to me that Saturday is St. George's Day. I would be sad to let such an opportunity pass to inflict a little of our culture upon our guests! Does anyone know if Enid wrote the story of St. George anywhere? The tale would compliment the tasteful Union Flag tablecloth/paper plates/plastic mugs, and patriotic colouring sheets I have awaiting them. Viv

Hi Sally, many thanks for your help. It's much appreciated. Cheers.

When I was of primary school age I had a book which I think was by Enid Blyton which unfortunately got lost. It contained one semi-fictional story for each month about a young animal or bird but based on sound natural history facts. The creatures were given names but not anthropomorphised and did not speak. It influenced my whole life with a love of nature. I can remember that a young heron in one of the stories was called Frank. It may not be hers as I have not found it on Amazon or Abe books but I am not sure of the title. I thought it was Round the Year which turns out to be a more general book about nature activities for children, and it is not Round the Year Stories. Can anyone supply the title?

Sue - I would suggest that the complexities of identity are partly such because of the differences in ethnicities, sexes and cultures, and authors often reproduce that very well. We are all what we are because of our genes, our experiences and our backgrounds and that can be a complex mix! Understanding the true essence of someone, in spite of their background and social behaviour (usually learned) is often complex! In Enid Blyton's books, she differentiated strongly between characters of different backgrounds and the impact of that on their behaviour, values, manner of communicating, etc. Other writers such as Thomas Hardy (e.g. Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D'Urbervilles) included many characters of different backgrounds and how that impacted on their ultimate fate. Jane Austen also - the list is endless.....

Hi, can anyone help with my university essay, the question is; can an author ever convincingly reproduce the complexity of identity, especially if the protagonists are from different ethnicities, sexes or cultures? Any advice or help appreciated!

Barney, I am not clever like you. How do you vote on the polls held in the various forums, e.g. 'Which Enid Blyton series is your favourite?' You'll need to explain it graphically because I get confused easily. Regards, Francis.

Hi Barney, just to let you know I have managed to get hold of a copy of the press release sent out by Hodder when the Famous Five books were updated. It doesn't really contain anything which hasn't been reported or discussed here previously, but if anyone here is interested in having a look then let me know (I'm on the forums as Nina as well) and I can forward it on :)

Please Barney, do you think you could archive the 'Monthly Enid Blyton' or keep these postings for at least a year? They are such interesting snippets, it would be nice if we could still go back and read them anytime. Thank you!

Hi Barney, did you know that even though the copyright has expired on the early Tarzan books, the estate of the author has kept control by trademarking the various elements - trademarks are perpetual so even though Tarzan is in the public domain, no one can use him unless they have permission from the estate. What a nasty little legal trick! I can just imagine Chorion trying something like that.

Is this the official Enid Blyton website?

I am looking to purchase some prints/posters of scenes from The Magic Faraway Tree (or similar). Does anyone know where I could buy them? Thanks so much ;-)

I want to know where to read Enid Blyton books online. Are they there on this site? Is the Journal online or do you post it? How can I become a member without having the Journal?

Heya, sorry to bother you AGAIN! I am hooked on this website! Could you tell me any interesting facts about Enid? Thanks and sorry again!

Hi Barney, do you or does anyone else know where I could find a copy of the press release Chorion/Hodder sent out when they announced the updating of the Famous Five books? I have been trawling the internet, have tried emailing the publishers and several newspapers, and am having no luck! If anyone can help it would be so appreciated!

How can I find an original Malory Towers book?

Barney, Sorry to bother you again! What does cremated mean? Whereabouts is Golders Green? How many books did Enid write? I really would love to become an author. Thanks, Mairead, 11 years.

Hello Barney! Have you had your walk and did you enjoy the scenes? I bet you would love those in Enid Blyton's world! I've been checking out the Teachers Worlds and what a delightful surprise to see so many stories and poems which I've never had the chance to know. I didn't know Enid Blyton wrote poems extensively. It is good to know another aspect of her writing creativity! I also find the Book Reviews in the Cave informative such as the case of The Adventurous Four where the mother was knitting hard because she had to make some blankets for use in the war and the children may have been evacuated. I'd always thought the mother was knitting hard simply because she just loved knitting! Perhaps it's time the publishers should make more obvious the time and history these stories were written instead of the usual small prints of the publication of the books. It would certainly help readers to understand and enjoy the old-feel times of the stories. So, here's Three Cheers to EBS!!!

Barney Sir, in Five Run Away Together did Mrs. Stick slap George? Any idea why Enid Blyton Ma'am wrote that? I love her and her books. I hope I read all her books before I die. Bye, Devika, 9 years.

Oops, sorry Barney! Didnt mean to post that three times! Thanks for the answers, actually I didn't know that Enid had died so it was a big shock for me!! That's okay, I just love writing to famous people. Could you please tell me where Enid is buried and where she died? Also, how did she die and what age was she? Thanks.

Hi Barney, what do you think of a story where George from the Famous Five gets sent to Malory Towers? I think she'd be so hostile that even Miss Grayling would refuse to keep her. I also think she'd swiftly get on Bill Robinson's bad side for whining about wanting to be a boy and for not sufficiently respecting Clarissa.

Hi Barney, at the moment I am reading the book Five on a Hike Together - it is the best Famous Five book I have read. Do you like that one? Which Famous Five book is your favourite? Bye!

Heya Barney, How's things? Could you please tell me when Enid died? And could I please get in touch with her daughters? Thanks Barney!

Hi Barney, If I wanted to buy a house in Blyton Close where Green Hedges once stood, what numbered house is closest to where the Green Hedges house was actually situated?

Hello my dear friend Tony: today I reach 55, and the best gift I can have is this lovely website about Enid Blyton and the marvellous old books I have in my collection. Give my best regards to Barney. Best wishes, Joaquim Augusto Reis.

Thanks Barney and thanks Enid Blyton for the great books!!

Hi Barney. Is there any way to find out what's been changed in the Malory Towers books? I was just reading the 2008 version of Last Term at Malory Towers and the references to "college" instead of "university" stick out as a possible change.

I have a first edition of Noddy and the Bunkey, 1959 hardback. Offers to garyphoenix300@hotmail.com

GOSH, I LOVE THIS WEBSITE! The Cave of Books section is amazing!! So many books to browse through! And I love the reviews and illustrations!! I would like to know who owns the copyright to Ms. Blyton's works and is there any way I could get in touch with her daughters? How much does it cost to register on the forums and join the society? Thanks a ton! XO =)

Dear Miss Enid Blyton, You are one of the best authors ever! I want to follow your example and be an author. My favourite books in the whole wide world are the Magic Faraway Tree series. I have the three-in-one storybook and love them all. I am really sad that you have died because you can't write any more But hopefully when I'm an author I will dedicate one of my books to you. Thanks, Enid Blyton. I love you!!

Dear Miss Enid Blyton, I love all your books. My parents say I read your books while eating, playing, etc. I hope I get to read all your books which are super. I have even become a fast reader. Thank you a lot! By Devika, nine years. Bye.

Dear Miss Enid Blyton, I wanted to tell you that you are my favourite author and I have read a lot of books written by you. I even read five titles from your Malory Towers series and I loved those. I am looking forward to reading the last book of your Malory Towers series and I even want to read the Naughtiest Girl series. With lots of love to my favourite author from a nine year old girl called Yashaswi.

Hi - I'm hoping someone can help me trace an Enid Blyton story. It features a boy who fakes a cold in order to get a delicious-tasting blackcurrant drink which his aunt makes for flu sufferers. His cousins go out for a walk and while they are out he discovers a purple drink in the playroom. He drinks it and it tastes disgusting. But when his cousins return he discovers it wasn't the cure at all, but their painting water. Hence the cry: "He drank our dirty painting water!" I think the aunt may have been called Eileen. Any help to trace this would be very appreciated! Thanks.

Hi Barney! I found all three of the Faraway Tree books that I wanted on Abebooks. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

Hi Barney! Can Enid really be blamed for the racially and genderly insensitivity in her stories? Anne for example is a reflection of accepted gender behaviour of the 1940s and is intended as a foil for George. A good counter example to the allegations of sexism is Darrell - who goes to university to get an education and doesn't look like she will need a man to complete her life.

Hi, I'm trying to find the name of an Enid Blyton book I used to read when I was a child. It was about a very small school with only 4-5 children in it. The teacher would take them on nature walks and generally teach them about wildlife. Would appreciate it if you could help. Thanks, Keeley.

Hello! Do you know where I could buy The Enchanted Wood, The Magic Faraway Tree and The Folk of the Faraway Tree - 1985 editions? These were the most treasured books of my childhood and I'm hoping to recreate similar memories with my young children. I would appreciate any information you may have on how to get a hold of them - new or used - thank you! I was also wondering which Enid Blyton books would most capture the imagination of small boys (4-5 years old). Does she have any adventure-type books specifically for small children? Thank you!

Dear all, We get married in July, and we wanted to create 100 stamps with the picture of Oui Oui with the post office in France, we wanted to use the message "Yes I do" which can be translated in French by "Oui Oui". Otherwise, the French post office ask us to have the authorization from the creator to use the picture, which is normal. Would you authorize us to use the picture of Oui Oui ? I send you the stamp we wanted to create. Many thanks for your reply. Best regards, Stéphanie Henry.

Hi Barney. After reading the St Clare's books, when did the practice of having younger formers "fag" for older formers largely stop in British schools? I wonder what the adults of 70-80 years ago would think of how modern society regards them as vicious and abusive for the thrashings and spankings they gave out to pupils?

Hi Barney, I've just started reading the last book of the Secret Seven series, and I see in the first chapter that it's mentioned they live in Peterswood, the same village as the Five Find-Outers? Would they have been around at the same time? Also, in an earlier story (Secret Seven Win Through) the Famous Five books are mentioned as belonging to one of the members. Strange how Enid Blyton combined details and characters from different stories...

Hi, Do you have the details of this year's Enid Blyton Day and purchasing tickets? Kind Regards, Helen.

About twenty years ago, I read a book where the kid heroes were imprisoned by the villains in a series of caves overlooking a valley or the sea and they moved the kids from cave to cave by drugging them with sleeping draught and moving them while they were asleep. Is this a Blyton?

Hi Barney! I have got an old Sunny Stories Annual at home - are the magazines still around on eBay or somewhere like that, do you think? Thank you! From Poppy x

Hi Barney. Have you ever expressed an opinion on the updating of Enid's works? If you were in charge of the copyright, would you return the spanking to Malory Towers or bring back Dame Slap?

Hi! Why didn't Enid cover the third or sixth forms of St. Clare's?

Hi. Just read the bit about tomboys and I guess I've always been a tomboy like George. I never had girls to play with when I was small, only boys. I hate dresses, skirts etc and prefer to be in trousers, T-shirts and jerseys. My hair is not too short though and I wear a couple of slides. As for make-up etc, pooh to that!

If I were as rich as the Royal Family, I'd film Malory Towers. All six books in order and set in the right period.

Enjoying the new Journal - so many interesting articles! Love Buster's perspective, Julie, and also Terry's further instalment of Bill's Diaries. Looking forward to the next half. Sorry that David Cook's excellent analysis of the Find-Outers stories has now reached its conclusion. Another series to review David? Still yet to read Anita's coverage of the Naughtiest Girl series. Thank you to all of you!

I need help getting an avatar. Do you know how to get one?

Hi Barney. My minimal exposure to the Famous Five left me quite sympathetic to George - I wish she'd got to fulfil her potential. On the other hand, after Malory Towers' Bill Robinson, George seeemed very bitter and dysfunctional. I'd love to see a Malory crossover in which either Bill dresses her down verbally or Darrell whacks her, or both. Preferably both, because I'd like to see her brought down a peg or two by a tomboy who's happy to be a girl (despite her name preference, I don't think Bill's got any illusions as to her preferred gender) and then whacked by a "girly" girl to prove the point that you don't need to be a (tom)boy to stick up for yourself physically.

Hi Barney, today I got the new Enid Blyton Society Journal! I am really enjoying it. I have been reading the story called 'The Packman in Sicily' - it was really good. Was it one of her earlier stories? From Poppy x

Hi, I have a book with the cover of Enid Blyton's The Three Golliwogs (Dean and Son) but inside the book's contents actually belong to Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (abridged edition also by Dean and Son). I can see no evidence of tampering or repair with the book. It is in excellent condition. Has anyone ever come across this before? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Please could you help me. I had an edition of Mr. Galliano's Circus that belonged to my Mum with green boards. I cannot find it anywhere but want to replace it, but what edition was it that had green boards?

Hi Barney! Upon a re-read, I can see why Malory Towers and St. Clare's have such a lesbian following. A couple of things stand out about Last Term at Malory Towers. One is, of course, the wink-wink-nudge-nudge of Bill and Clarissa's Brokeback Riding Stable. And that governess of Gwen's! Gwen's nearly twenty and at school for ten months of the year. I wanted that governess job! She must have either had the dirt on the Lacys or done something that's speculated on various sapphist sites.

Hello, my friend Tony. I am a Portuguese fan of the Enid Blyton world. I have quite a reasonable number of old books. Journal 44 is, as always, very good. When are we going to have a new Enid Blyton Day? I hope very soon. Best wishes.

I loved Malory Towers! It was so funny and interesting!

For Tanis - I have a copy of A Calendar of Food & Wine by Nell Heaton and Andre Simon. Inside inscription Alice Blyton (Enid's Aunt I think), with inscription "With love from Enid 1961". It has recipes for fruit cake, damson jam, lemonade, etc.

HEY R THERE ANY DVDS,FILMS OR MOVIES OF THE FIVE FIND OUTERS??????? PLZ TEL ME AND ALSO TEL ME THAT IS BETS FATTY'S HEROINE AND TRUE LOVE??

Hi Barney! I had such a huge crush on Gary Russell from the 1978 Famous Five series when I was watching the videos in the 1980s. He even starred in my dreams when I was about twelve!

I love the Five Find-Outers very much. I want to know each and everything about them. Can you please help me?

Hi Barney, thanks for understanding! See - I have written back on the very first day! Wuff Wuff! From Poppy xx

Have been looking for the Faraway Tree collection illustrated by Georgina Hargreaves. Does anyone know where I can find them?

Does anyone know of a Famous Five recipe book please?

Hi Barney, just read some of the messages now. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch the last few weeks. I have just got a new dog so been busy training him! I bet you would be great friends with him! In future I will spend a bit more time on the website. I really love the Secret Seven badge which Susan Webster kindly gave me. Bye for now! Wuff Wuff! From Poppy xx

Sorry, I had to have a grin. It never ceases to amuse me dearest Stephen that even in a reply to someone you always manage to plug your book!

In reply to Mick's (and Barney as well) message of March 14, 2011, Mick's point would have had some merit i.e. of suing the Internet company, Google, for copyright infringement, if the word had originally been a Blyton wordage, although I do not entirely believe that the Google search engine founders co-incidentally shortnened "googol" to "google," after all in that linkage you provided, indications are that in 1996, one of Google's founders had come across the word "Google" through an Internet search. Who knows whether the Internet founders of Google may have come across an Internet summary of Enid Blyton's book, Circus Days Again, in which the word "Google" may have been included. We may never know and neither can we prove that that may have been the case, since much time has elapsed since 1996 and the word "Google" has proliferated by leaps and bounds on the Internet since then. Though the web was still primitive in 1996, one could almost search for anything on the World Wide Web at that time, though. Nonetheless, what I found statistically coincidental in Enid Blyton's using the word, "Google" in Circus Days Again, was its usage in relationship to a circus acrobat. Nowadays, in the Internet we have acrobat readers such as Adobe. I point out a little bit of this coincidence in my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage.

Sue and Barney, where I am at, the inter-library loan scheme is still free. Thanks God, it is free, otherwise, if it was not, I wouldn't have got enough material to write my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage.

Hi Barney, is it possible to get a copy of A Childhood at Green Hedges by Imogen Smallwood in my local library as I'd like to read it? Cheers, Sue.

Hi Barney, good dog. The Secret Seven badge is on its way to Poppy at last! Cheers, Sue.

Hi Barney! An internet parenting forum was recently leg pulled by someone who borrowed from the plots of Malory Towers and St. Clare's, claiming the events had happened to their own daughters. It went for quite a few pages before someone said it sounded familiar.

Desperately trying to find an original Eileen Soper print of The Elf and the Poppy. Does anyone have one for sale? Thanks. Clare

Thanks Barney for letting Sue know about the Secret Seven badge! From Poppy.

Does anyone know what the top three bestselling Famous Five books are? I've tried to contact the publishers but they haven't got back to me. Alternatively, if anyone can suggest two or three Famous Five books that are markedly different in structure/style or have the most updates that would also be very welcome. I am looking into Famous Five rewrites with emphasis on offensive language for my dissertation, but don't have the word count to look at the whole series so any guidance would be appreciated!

Hi, probably not a well known fact, but Enid invented the word "Google"! Look at page 36 of The Very Big Secret, where it's said by Belinda the changeling baby. I wonder if Chorion could sue for royalties......

Hi, I have an anonymous book called Our Book of Trains, could it be one of Enid's early unnamed ones published by Birn Brothers Ltd, London? Thanks for your help.

Hi, I have an old Mr. Plod floor puzzle and now I'm looking for the other three puzzles; Noddy, Big-Ears and Tessie Bear. Is there anyone out there that can help me?

Hey Barney... A very happy wuff to you! I want to know which character of Enid Blyton is regarded as the most priceless or is regarded as her greatest creation? Which is your favourite? My guess is Timmy!

I love Enid Blyton's books, my favourite books that she wrote are probably the Faraway Tree series. xx

I've always loved Enid Blyton books, and still think they are as interesting today as when I was small. My mother has quite a nice selection of Enid's books, but not the nature book. Do you know where I might get her one?

I asked about who drew the Famous Five covers on the early 1980s paperback editions. I have since been told (by a very reliable source) that "Jean Sidobre (aka Georges Lévis) illustrated those covers. He originally drew them for the Dutch editions but the illustrations were then used for English and German (and maybe other) editions as well, as far as I know." Hope this spreads a bit of light. Francis

Are there any books or articles on Gillian and Imogen and their relationship with their mother? Did Enid believe in an afterlife? Is Amelia Jane really considered Enid's greatest creation by fans?

I am searching for a copy of Enid's short story 'The Crocodile who had Terrible Toothache'. I loved it as a child and would love to read it to mine. Do you have any ideas which book it may be found in? Many thanks.

Thank you Barney, for your excellent advice. I can't wait to introduce my son to the Famous Five! I'll also check out the other books you recommended, as I am not familiar with them. Thanks again - I am so glad I found this site!

Hello, please can you tell me if the Famous Five series would be suitable to read to a six year old. Thanks.

Sanju, I recall that when I became re-awakened again to Enid Blyton books in the late 1990s, I remember the address of the website Blyton.com, which is owned by Chorion, being inserted in the preliminary pages of the editions of the late 1990s as well as the millennium editions of 2000 and 2001 of series such as The Famous Five. It is books such as my The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage that have the address of the Enid Blyton Society website printed on the book's rear cover.

Hello from Aust. I would like to know who to contact for copyright permission on the Art in Enid Blyton's books. Are you able to help please?

Hi Barney, is there still the Enid Blyton Society which is mentioned in the back of the Famous Five books?

Hi Barney! What was Enid's favourite food and favourite dessert? I'd like to visit Green Hedges - is it open to the public?

Hi Barney, new name, new email address as my old one failed to work. I've not heard from Poppy or her parents about the Secret Seven badge so I guess she doesn't want it any more. Never mind, if anyone else wants it, it's free. Just get in touch. Sue

I love you, Enid Blyton. I love to read your books. I am reading The Enchanted Wood at the moment. I am collecting your books and I have got seven of them. From Emily Price, one of your biggest fans.

I completely agree with Barney's comments regarding plastic surgery. As he says, it is so much better to emulate Enid's characters' good traits and strengths of character, rather than facial comparisons. I also had to chuckle at "Tony looking sweet!" Barney might not be on Facebook, but you can follow the Society on Twitter! (See left)

Barney, I was reading about those people that have plastic surgery to look more like their favourite celebrities. What would you think of someone that had surgery to look more like a favourite Blyton character? Would Tony Summerfield mind me saying I think he looks very sweet in the Enid Blyton Day photos?

Is it possible to purchase copies of the original dustcovers?

Hello Barney! I had my first final exam! Barney, are you on Facebook? Can you just tell me which is the most adventurous story of all the Famous Five and Secret Seven? Barney can you also provide some more information on Enid? I know it's lot of homework. See you next time. Till then, bye! Wuff wuff wuff wuff wuff wuff!

Hi Barney, just left a message for Poppy about her contact details for me to send the Secret Seven badge but I can't log in to the forum so won't get the private message with her address to send it. I don't know why I can't log in - just tried a few minutes ago. What can I do to get the badge to Poppy?

Hi Poppy, great news! I've got a Secret Seven badge for you! If you or your mum could send me a private message in the members list on the forum with your address I can then post it to you... I think you'll love it. Sue

Dear Barney, Bought three Famous Five paperbacks the other day (Knight Books - printed in the early 1980s). They show super illustrations on the cover but no indication of who drew them (the ones inside are by Betty Maxey). Do you know who was responsible? - The Five seem to be based on the late 1970s television series. Many thanks, Francis.

Hello Barney! Thank you for your information about the Secret Seven badge. It's a shame they didn't make one isn't it? Oh well, I'll have a go at making one soon. Bye for now!

Hi, I'm doing a short presentation at university on March 24th and would like to get hold of an A2 poster to do with Enid. Anyone know where I could get one? Cheers, Sue.

Hi Barney. When I was small I had two books that I adored, Mr. Pink-Whistle and Up The Faraway Tree. I have been trying to find these books for a long time now, however, both books had all the stories/adventures in one. I can recall the Mr. Pink-Whistle cover being blue and it was so thick. If you could point me in the right direction to find these books I would be so grateful. To Christine who posted a question on January 23rd about the little boy and the door knocker I think this is a Mr. Pink-Whistle story.

To Sindy: You are thinking of the "Naughtiest Girl" series of books. Elizabeth was a spoiled only child sent away to Whyteleafe Boarding School. She constantly got in trouble as she didn't want to be there and was trying to be sent home. She eventually became best friends with Joan, and while ending up enjoying school, still managed to get in all kinds of trouble. (I still have the hard cover edition I got from a store Santa one year, three books - The Naughtiest Girl in the School, The Naughtiest Girl Again, The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor). Hope that helps.

When is the Enid Blyton Day this year please?

Sindy, I think the incident you remember is from The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor.

I think I might have an early copy of Mr Tumpy and His Caravan, it has a red cover and the story is in black and white pictures. The book may not be in the best of condition and it was an xmas present back in 1968.

I remember a story my father used to read me about a girl called Susan, I think, who was a naughty, jealous girl. Her schoolfriend, named Kathleen I think, was given a lovely sewing box and chocolates for her birthday and put them into her desk at school. The naughty girl took them out and stamped on them. She was found out and punished. Was this an Enid Blyton story and if so what is the name of the book? Please can someone put me out of my misery?!

Please tell me I'm not going mad and there was a published Mr Tumpy and His Caravan book other than the one that's been discovered today. I grew up with a copy at my Granny's in the 1980s and I can vividly remember the caravan getting a thorn in its foot and also going down a worm hole. Am I right? Edd

During the war I remember begging the newsagent to sell me a copy of Sunny Stories, does anyone else remember that weekly treat?

Hi there, Many years ago I received a nearly complete set, 75 of them, of Enid Blyton teaching posters and the nature notes to go with them. I wondered where would be the best place to sell these as they are so lovely and I do not have the room to display them. Maureen

Hello, I have just heard the 10 o' clock BBC News and was interested to hear Ian Youngs' item about the unpublished story of Mr. Tumpy's Caravan. Although I do not have the book now, when I was about 5 or 6 years old I was given the book by my late aunt and can still remember some of the story. I am now almost 63 years old. I would welcome any comment from Ian or yourselves. Thank you. Sheila Chaffin-Power.

Although I am eligible for a bus pass [!] I was delighted to hear the news of a new Enid Blyton book, and planned to buy one as I have good memories of all of her books, as do my own children. Then the tile was revealed and amazingly I still have the cartoon version, published in 1949. A wonderful story, and the original cartoons are simply marvellous.

Hi, may I pass on a message to Anita Bensoussane as I'm having problems logging in to the forum? Anita, could you possibly send me a copy of your website biography of Enid Blyton as I'd like to do this for my university presentation? No printer so I can't print it out. If you could do it or do a shortened version I'd be grateful. I don't know how you could send it as I can't leave my postal address. Maybe it's in my profile. Thanks very much. Poppy, I may be able to get a Secret Seven badge done for you but would need your postal address to send it to you.

Hi Barney, The fact that I love the most about Enid Blyton's books is that they contain animals in them, especially dogs. For example, Timmy in the Famous Five, Buster in the Mystery Series and Scamper in the Secret Seven. Now I see that the Society's got you. I want to know if Enid Blyton had any pets at her home?

Hi Barney! For Christmas I received a Famous Five badge! I just started wondering today if there was a Secret Seven badge? I thought you might know. Do you think you could possibly help me? Many thanks from Poppy.

I wonder if Enid ever regretted what she did to people like her mother and Hugh? Barbara Stoney speculates that she might have started to do so by the late '50s, but by then she was also starting to slip into dementia so it may not have been a genuine reappraisal. I guess that's part of what's fascinating about Enid - on the one hand she was kind and loving to her child fans and devoted to her writing but on the other she was vicious and cruel to Hugh and her own mother and callously indifferent to her daughter Imogen.

Hey, I need your advice. People say that Enid Blyton was cold hearted. I protest to this but is it true? How many awards has she won?

Sardine ice-cream? I'd forgotten that book! I wonder if Enid ever included the junior smokers kit I got at Christmas when I was small with the dessicated coconut tobacco, liquorice pipes, chocolate cigars and sweet cigarettes? If so, that would be an interesting "continuation" story - how many Blyton characters got lung cancer from taking up smoking!

Hi, you are funny. By the way, how many Enid Blyton books have you read?!

Barney, who's your most hated Blyton character? I think it'll have to be Prudence. But 'our dear martyr St Catherine' was annoying in In the Fifth at Malory Towers with the way she apologised for everything and everyone. And I really did dislike 'Who's A Dictator? Don't ask Moira - ask Me'. I love Enid's book foods - I'd kill for a toffee ice cream right now - but you end up licking all the toffee off the lolly stick and the last taste in your mouth is the taste of the stick. I'm sure that's why I can't go near a lolly on a stick any more!

What should I do if I want to translate Enid Blyton books into the Tamil language?

Has anyone for sale a Famous Five badge (early one, not 70s)? My sister was an avid member of the Famous Five Club in the 50s/60s and she still remembers her lost badge. It is her big birthday in April and I would love to surprise her, fingers crossed!

I really like asking questions to you but in real life what is your name?

Hi Barney, I just want to ask when did Enid Blyton win a writing competition?

So sad there is no Enid Blyton Day in 2011. I was going to make the effort to come this year...2012 is such a long way away. :-(

Hello, Barney. My name is Torah and I would like to know if there will be an Enid Blyton Day held for 2011. I have literally hundreds of Enid Blyton books that I am willing to part with and many of them are very old and rare books including first editions in excellent condition. If anyone is interested in my collection I would love to hear from you and I would also like to attend the event if it is running this year.

Which is the most famous book of Enid Blyton's?

I love Enid Blyton books and would like to know your favourite. What is it?

Hello. I am from India. I read a lots and lots of Enid Blyton books. Well, I want to know if you were in any story of Enid Blyton?

Hello. I am from India. Here too I read the books and I quite like them. If only there were any books that had action like the Hardy Boys.

We named our daughter Amelia Jane and I would love to buy a blockmount poster of one of the book covers from the series for her bedroom. I can't seem to find anywhere that has them. Do you know if posters are available from the cover artwork?

Why does Enid Blyton write about schools?

Yes, I am Georgina Hargreaves the illustrator....did not know that the webpage by Luky Bravo in Pakistan was illegal! Have lots of fans in India....grownups read Enid Blyton there and they can not understand how I can read anything else!

Barney, do you have a last name or are you just Barney? I was thinking of calling you Barney T. Dog. Why did Enid and Imogen not get along?

Hi, dear old Barney, I agree - I love the adventures of Timmy, Loony, Buster, Scamper and Lucky. Loony is so funny sliding along the landing, pinching mats and brushes and shoes and hiding them, Buster worrying Mr. Goon's ankles, Lucky the circus dog... Where does Shadow come in the books as I don't think I know of this nice dog?

Hello! I have been trying to remember the title of a story that I read when I was little and was wondering if you could help please. The story is about a fairy who makes petticoats for little girls. One little girl becomes very naughty and they realise that the fairy has sewn a naughty spell into the hem of the petticoat. The fairy is then banished from town and sews the frills underneath mushrooms!

A very good morning to you, Barney. Can you just tell me about any more adventurous stories written by Enid? Can you provide me with some information about Malory Towers and the Hardy Boys? How about The Enchanted Wood? I think I have given a lot of homework to you? but I know you will answer all the questions. You are my best buddy. Bye! Take care! Wuff wuff wuff wuff wuff wuff!

Which book did Enid Blyton write last? Which book did she like most (in her writing)?

What a lovely relief it is to get into one of my many Enid Blyton books after reading - only part of - a book I had to read for an English module at university! The book was called Freshers by Joanna Davies, about students starting university and getting into sex, drink, drugs, etc. and foul language which I found offensive so I stopped reading it. Another book we have to read, Beauty by Raphael Selbourne, is not much better and is racist as well as containing foul language. Give me Enid any day! Good, decent books.

Have you read...Enid Blyton's Novels? A young man in Pakistan has started this webpage. His name is Luky Bravo. Enid Blyton's Novels is on Facebook...I don't think the Society has joined yet?

Hi, Enid Blyton. How did you (Enid Blyton) meet your first husband?

Hi Barney! I have a copy of The O'Sullivan Twins that I got from a charity shop. It has missing edges at the bottom of pages. I'm puzzled as to why the cover is not in the Cave of Books. It's a solid bluish grey - no cover illustration - with the title and author printed on the front. I live in Australia - could this just be a uniquely Australian cover? The edition dates from the 1970s.

Hi Barney! At the moment I am looking for a book called Six Cousins at Mistletoe Farm. Have you heard of it and do you have any idea where I could get it from? I have already looked in charity shops and searched for it on this website. Please could you help?

Hello, Barney! Well, I am back from school. It's a nice feeling talking to you. You know, I got Puzzle for the Secret Seven and completely enjoyed it. It was really shocking when the Seven found out about Benny. Enid changes the story very twistily. Can you tell me about the Five Find-Outers? Are they more adventurous than the Famous Five? Also Barney, my exams are going to start on February 28th and the worst is I have got a cold. This coughing and sneezing is tough to handle. Barney, do you get colds? Bye! No, I must speak in your language! Wuff, wuff, wuff, wuff!

Thanks for your help with the ISBN numbers. Will let you know if I was successful in the search.

Hi Barney, Why did Enid have children so relatively late in life? How many twins were featured in her stories?

Hello Barney! A very good afternoon! Thank you for helping me to find that book. Well Barney, I think you are taking the side of my mother and Newton, Archimedes, Dalton, etc, all these sorts of scientists, not mine. Never mind. It's a pretty joke. By the way Barney, I will tell you a secret. You know, I thought till last February that Enid Blyton was alive, and once I grew up I would go and visit her and talk to her. Unfortunately, when I was reading The Adventurous Four I saw some writing from the Enid Blyton Trust which stated that she was dead and they wanted some donations. What a shock it was. Well I am hoping to meet her as soon as I am dead, in heaven you know. Also Barney, you must not be scared to scold my mother. My final examinations will be over by March 15th and I am soon going to be with the Famous Five again. Bye.

I remember a story from my childhood about a teddy bear who was pretending to smoke chocolate cigarettes. Does anyone remember what reader series this was from?

Okay, thanks.

I would like to collect the deluxe editions illustrated by Georgina Hargreaves published by Deans 1981 of The Enchanted Wood and Adventures of the Wishing Chair. Can you help with the ISBN numbers for me? They're A4 size. Many thanks.

Hi, I vaguely remember a story I used to tell my sisters about a boy who had his bike stolen, but he had put a little charm in the bell which made him able to identify his bike. This wasn't the main story so it is making it really hard to find the book, could you please help? Thanks, Tracy.

Hi, what was Enid Blyton's first book ever?

I have the Pictorial Knowledge books by R.H. Poole, Enid Blyton is an assisting editor, Humphreys and Marshall also. Think they date from 1930. They have a brown leather type cover with a gold emblem on. Does anyone know anything about them and, although not perfect condition, are they worth anything?

Help, trying to find a book very old, can remember a few verses: "Once there lived a merry elf, his name was Twinkledee,/He loved to tease old Grufty Gnome who shouted, "Let me be." Twinkledee gets banished from fairyland for being naughty and they want him back. The book finishes, "...I'll be so good," says he,/"Oh no, not that," says everyone, "just be our Twinkledee!" It's driving me mad. Does anyone know what it is?

What an uplifting opening from the February Monthly Enid Blyton. I truly appreciate the encouraging excerpts from Enid Blyton's Magazine and The Children at Green Meadows. I love the way Enid Blyton relates to nature in her nature books, poems and tales. Truly Enid is a versatile writer and that is why she is my favourite author. I do enjoy Noddy too! Another great piece of work, I would say! Thanks, Barney :-)

Could someone please tell me if the Deans Reward Five Find-Outers Mystery series are the original unabridged stories?

Hi Barney! It's a very good evening to you by my watch. Now first tell me where do you live - America, England, Africa, etc? By the way, can you just help me out in guessing the name of the story in which there is a guy called Oola and their father Bill who works in a detective sort of agency? Those children find treasures and all that. I hope you are getting me. Please respond to me at the earliest and help me get that book. Barney, one more wish I just want is can you pray for me? My final examinations are starting from February 28th. Bye Barney! Have a good sleep, sweet dreams!

You've been a real help, Barney! I tried doing some research on Enid Blyton's first book, even if it's a longish Bible story or a picture book, I want to see how she has developed her work and also I would gain high marks on my project! Also, can you inform me as soon as the webmaster makes the search tab? Thank you!

Heyaa, My great grandma used to read my mum a book with the story 'Connie's Curious Candle' and we've been searching for it for years, then I suddenly had the idea to check here. Is there any chance I can get a copy of a book with that story in? Thank you ox

I think the previous poster meant Five Go Down to the Sea, not Five Under Water. It's good to hear that Ramona Marquez (Imogen Pollock in 2009's Enid) is going from strength to strength, her latest role being Princess Margaret in The King's Speech. Maybe she will be a guest at a future Enid Blyton Day!

Recently I read Five Under Water and Five Have a Wonderful Time. Man, what a book! Well! Barney, can you just tell me how I can get the Famous Five books without my mother knowing? Actually she is worried about my studies since I spend more time reading Famous Fives and Secret Sevens. I just don't care about that dumb science. You know it's very hard to learn all those equations of motion by that silly Newton and chemical reactions and all that cell structure and kingdom of plant and animal. Really Barney, you must thank God that you are an animal, a good dog, leading a good life. You must be thankful that you are not a student where you have to just gobble up things, write your exams, keep away from all adventure stories and in the end regurgitate all that study matter. I wish that I had been a dog like you helping children like me!!! Bye, Barney. Please leave a scolding comment for my mother like you once did.

Hello Barney, I am a new member, you know. I read Enid's books. The Magic Needle is my favourite book and I am a fan of Enid.

I like the 'Monthly Enid Blyton' in 'Author of Adventure'. A great start to a fresh year with a nice topic on resolutions. An interesting point to ponder, "kindness", wonder how many of us would have thought of that as a resolution! I printed the 'Frosty Morning' poem and illustration and made it into a bookmark. Looking forward to seeing the February one. Good work, Barney!

Thanks for replying about the search tab! I went to the library and found The Hidey Hole. It's very exciting and I'm in the middle of it! I'm just curious, how do you get down to answering all of these questions in only one day? An amazing skill! Can I order any books on this website?

Hi! Is there a guide to all the people, places and things in Enid Blyton stories? When were the Malory Towers books set - my friend says 1950s but I think they were set in the 1940s?

I'm trying to find a book my mother read to me as a child. I think it was one of the reader series (had a light blue cover) and a series of stories, one of which was about a naughty little boy who kept knocking on doors and running away until a big door knocker in the shape of a hand grabbed him and wouldn't let him go. Can you help?

Thanks Barney, that would really help. I haven't really heard of The Hidey Hole though. Do you have a link on this website that could tell me a little bit about it like the Secret Seven link?

I am after information on two Enid Blyton stories. One concerns a Mr Pink-Whistle story about a girl who bought a blue balloon. A bully burst it and Mr Pink-Whistle then stole the boy's prize marbles and made them into balloons to give to the girl. The second is a short story for very young readers about a nursery of toys where a King doll joins them and tries to treat the other toys as his subjects. When they stop talking to him and start hiding he tries to jump out on them and ends up in a bucket of water. While the other toys laugh at him, a nurse doll takes pity on him and puts him to bed (as he now has a cold due to getting wet) and the King then becomes humble. Any information appreciated.

Hi from London, Barney! I'm Enid Blyton's biggest fan and I would really like to ask you what was Enid's last book before her death? I'd like to know for my GCSE project on her! I was also wondering if maybe you could do a search tab to look for posts written by certain people so it would be easier for me to look over my previous posts. Thank you, please reply.

This website should carry a health warning!! I got so engrossed in reading the forums etc. yesterday I forgot I'd left something under the grill and filled the kitchen with smoke!!

I read somewhere that Enid used to visit Swinderby in Lincolnshire to visit a relative by the name of George Blyton who was, or had been, the village Post Office owner. I would be grateful if someone can confirm this story.

Were the O'Sullivan twins Irish or English? Did St.Clare's and Malory Towers ever face off at a lacrosse match?

Hi Barney, I've just stumbled across this site which, if I were thinking logically, I would have searched for. I'm studying Children's Literature at the moment, and don't like some of the implications that arise around Enid Blyton's work. A random conversation with my mother has set me off on a nostalgic search for books that influenced my love of nature, however despite searching I've never been able to find... Book of the Year? I remember it as being larger than other books, as I struggled to carry it in my bag; coloured plates, sketches, descriptions of flowers, trees and animals, activities to do with the seasons, folklore, little stories like for instance 'How the Blackbird got its yellow beak'. Am I correct in thinking this was written, or I guess it could have been compiled, by Enid Blyton?

Hi again! Just a St Clare's question as my mother threw out my Blyton books when I was a teen. What eventually happened to Margery Fenworthy?

Hi Barney! A review of the St Clare's and Malory Towers books said that the entire French nation should have sued Enid Blyton for libel and said that her French characters were negative stereotypes - the reviewer named Claudine and the Mam'zelles specifically.

Hi, just read a message about how June copes with Alicia's death - what book is this in and how did Alicia die? Joanne, just seen you have some Secret Seven cassettes for sale. Are they still up for sale as I'd like them if not too expensive?

Do the schools that Enid or her daughters went to still exist?

Hi everyone, I am in my first year of a BA(Hons) in Childhood and Education Studies and in my creativity lecture I have decided to do a scrapbook on Enid Blyton. I am doing a short presentation on 26th January about why I have chosen Enid for my assignment. This site is amazing and has given me such a wonderful insight into her life. Thank you so much.

I am sorry I didn't message for days - actually, I was busy on the forums. My school vacation finished on Sunday. I am writing a summary of Enid Blyton books which I have read. I am writing about Five Go to Smuggler's Top and others.

I remember learning the poem 'A Naughty Gnome' before I came out to Australia. I was ten years old. I have forgotten some of it and I am trying to find a copy of the poem to tell my grandchildren. Can you help me, please? Regards, Helen.

The female pairing stories are very well done and moving in many cases. Malory Towers seems the most active fandom and there are a lot of non-pairing stories - what's called "general fic" - too, including some arguably much better takes on June and Felicity's Malory Towers adventures than we got officially, and a very touching story where June has to cope with Alicia's death.

Hi, I have been given a lovely old book called Frolic and Fun no. 172, it has been kindly donated via the Salvation Army so we would like to sell it for the best price possible - who would you best recommend for this? Kind regards, Alison C. Staggs, shop manager, Salvation Army.

Enid would probably be surprised at the large lesbian fandom of her school stories, especially Bill/Clarissa, Darrell/Sally, Angela/Alison and Mirabel/Gladys. I would however advise your readers to avoid the George/Timmy and Chinky/Chair stories that are floating around. It's good to know that you are gay-friendly as there are some old-fashioned homophobes in some corners of Blyton fandom.

Thanks Barney for your wonderful work! Have two bones! I had to take a step back when I first started reading about all the fond gazes the Malory girls gave each other, until I stopped myself and realised that was NORMAL back then. I heard of an interesting experiment but can't remember the reference: two modern-day teenage schoolgirls (I think they were about 16) who were very, very clearly heterosexual, decided to spend all their time acting like the girls in some of these 1920s to 1950s girls'-school stories; walking around arm-in-arm, holding hands, strong verbal expressions of friendship and the like (the sort of things that were regarded as normal in an environment which was much less gay-friendly than today!). They were being called lesbians within the week, as well as getting nasty homophobic comments. You can conclude many things from this. Either the girls at Malory Towers (not to mention swathes of characters from the Angela Brazil canon) were all lesbians, OR...Heterosexual girls acted like that back then (especially with developing romantic feelings and no access to boys/discouragement from feeling that way about boys before marriage/constant companionship of close female friends) and it all means nothing, in which case you can interpret even Bill and Clarissa as straight if you like.

Barney, I notice they've changed the Island of Adventure series. In The Castle of Adventure, Tassie the gypsy girl is now referred to as a "wild" girl, and the word "queer" (in its original sense) has been replaced by words of similar meaning, e.g. "strange", "odd", "weird", etc - as though people would think that "what a queer room" had homosexual connotations?!!

I have been given for my daughters a pack of 2 cassette tapes from the 1980s - Enid Blyton's The Secret Seven. They are in a box in very good condition. The cassettes don't look played. Please let me know if anyone would be interested in purchasing these from me. Regards, Joanne Tiplady.

Do Peter and Mollie and Chinky ever visit the Faraway Tree in the wishing chair? Why does Jo the gypsy girl look like George (Famous Five books)? Is it just coincidence or is there more to it?

Dear Barney, Hallo! A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! What are your New Year's resolutions? My sister says you are very cute. What do you admire about Santa the most? My sister says, "That dude works only one day a year"!

How are you? I am fine. I just want to get some Enid books to read but I have none. Could you recommend me some books which are easily available in the market? I feel like making a movie of Enid's life. Every time I think of her I feel like making a movie of her whole life as a tribute to her. Everyone tells me I am crazy about her but I think she deserves it. What do you say? It's not bad if she's the only writer I like the most.

Barney, It's just been announced that new editions of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will have the word "nigger" removed. As I understand it the word "nigger" had a somewhat different meaning in the England of Enid's time - that there was even a paint in England called Nigger Brown. Golliwogs may have been based on minstrel caricatures of black features - now considered racist - but most people of Enid's time - those who weren't black, of course - wouldn't have understood that. Although, Enid's insistence that they were just toys would have been an increasing problem had she lived as ethnic minorities found their voice.

I sent you a message yesterday but it never came in the recent messages and it's not there. It's not good.

In response to Barbara Dickerson, I have a copy of the first (also second and third) Holiday Book for sale with dustwrapper, if someone would very kindly put us in touch! They are all lovely books, modern story books have no comparison.

Barbara, if you have no luck with any of the suggestions from Barney regarding the Holiday Book it might be worth visiting any second hand book shops you may have locally. I hadn't even heard of this series of books until about 7 or 8 years ago when I spotted one in a shop while on holiday. I think I've also seen it since in a local shop as well. Good luck, it is a lovely book.

I was born in 1946 and my mother used to read to my twin sister and me from the Holiday Book. I saved the book and read to my kids from it and somehow lost it. The stories in that book were the favorite of me and my sister and my kids and we have been desperately looking for a copy of this book or many of the stories in it since now my kids want to read their children the same stories. I was elated when at last I found your site and saw that the first edition of the Holiday Book has the stories we all grew up with. 'The Cockalorum Bird', 'The Goblin Looking-Glass', etc. How can we get a copy of this book or a copy of at least eight of the stories we loved so much and have missed? Thanks so much. Barb

I have the dramatised Malory Towers (but not the St Clare's) audio books, and I'm rather fond of them for long car journeys. I think the later ones are better, and In the Fifth at Malory Towers really shines despite the odd casting of Clarissa as the Prince - the confrontation between Moira and Bridget is wonderful. I can see, though, that you're either going to love or hate their Alicia....

Hi, my 7 year old son loves to read. I would like to get Blyton's books for him. But he is afraid of the mystery stories. Can you suggest some titles that would suit his age?

For the Malory Towers series I think in book two, Second Form at Malory Towers, "Mam'zelle Oy" is really funny not knowing what an "oy" is. And I wish there were more books in the series because Malory Towers books rock!

Finally - I always spoke about my favorite author as I was growing up but no one had ever heard about her. Thank you for making my childhood that more enjoyable. Ms. Blyton's books made me the teacher I am today and still an avid reader which I try to impart to both my children and students.

Thanks for your answers and patience. It's very difficult to go on the English Internet. So... Yes, thank you! Your site is a wonderful place. And do you know a real chat for children 12-14 years (maybe more)? Will you help me? I couldn't find it by search.

Thank you very much! Of course I'm under 18 - I'm far from this age!!! So, as I understood, I can't find the texts of the books... That's a pity. And what about audio-books (voice reading)?

I'd love to buy Enid Blyton books, but here in Russia we can't find any. If I can buy the books by post from one of the English book-markets...But I don't know how to do it - this is my problem. Can you help me? Or can I read her books on-line?

Hallo! I'm from Russia. I want to know - where can I find Enid Blyton's books? I want to find and download her short stories and other books. Help me please...

Hi Barney! Which story had a girl disguise as a boy using a boys' swimming costume? I seem to remember that in modern editions the illustrations of the scene show the character in a modern girls' swimsuit which is distinctly female-looking, ruining the scene.

I'm searching for the title of the book with Kiki and Lucy-Ann or so! Barney, can you help me? Please! Barney, can you guys or should I say, dogs, make your monthly quizzes easier? They are so hard! Especially if you haven't read all the series of Enid's books! I still love Enid's books! And Barney, can you be a bit straightforward in your answers? Hats off to you, my friend! Barney, how old are you?

I wonder if you could help, I am searching for a short story about a little bear called Cubby (not sure of the spelling) and the story was about him forgetting to say thank you to the stream who gave him water so it stopped tinkling over the stones until he remembered to say thank you. This was a favourite of my brother's when he was little and he has it as a fond memory of our mom reading to us each night and I cannot find it anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I remember reading what I thought was an Enid Blyton book sometime in the 50s where a group of children found an ill-treated pony tethered in a field near their house and proceeded to take care of it. I also seem to remember a character (a boy) called Guy who had grey eyes. Do you know of such a book? I have looked though the books listed on your website and it doesn't seem to be any of those. I realise it's a long shot. Thanks and best wishes, Jan. P.S. The website has brought back many lovely memories - The Family at Red Roofs, etc.

How are you? I am fine. I did not understand what you said about the forum. I have taken the quiz. It was very nice but difficult as I haven't so many books so far, you see I do not have enough money and the other thing is that not many books are available in the shops as I live in Pakistan, but something good is that books are cheaper than in the U.K., USA and other such countries, but still I can't always buy the books but share with someone.

Just seen the excellent Enid drama on BBC4, lots of food for thought I think. Very, very accurate and a true insight into the complex world of this woman, and an explanation as to why she is now vilified, and the BBC will have nothing to do with her.