Author Archives: Fiona

Five Go to Smuggler’s Top, part 2

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Fiona

In part one we saw Kirrin Cottage crushed by an ash tree and the children packed off to the mysterious Smuggler’s Top where they meet the Lenoirs and Block. The problem of Timmy Up until now Timmy has been hidden … Continue reading →

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Enid Blyton Christmas gift guide 2018

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Fiona

The Enid Blyton brand has really been growing lately, with ‘new’ books coming out and there have been some tie-in products over the last few years as well. Here’s a guide of what to get for your Blyton-loving friends and family, … Continue reading →

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Monday #297

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Fiona

Just two weeks till Christmas now! Enid Blyton gift guide and Five Go to Smuggler’s Top part 2 [The tree] stood in the hall, with coloured candles in holders clipped to the branches, and gay, shining ornaments hanging from top … Continue reading →

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The Famous Five covers through the years, part 1: 1940s-1990s

Posted on December 8, 2018 by Fiona

The Famous Five books have been in print for nearly 80 years now, and along the way they have appeared with a lot of different looks from the original Eileen Soper covers to TV tie-ins and famous illustrators. We will … Continue reading →

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Monday #296

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Fiona

It’s December now, and you know what that means. It’s time to get festive! A guide to all our Christmas posts and The Famous Five covers through the years, 1940s-1990s “Now let me see,” said Father Christmas, taking out a … Continue reading →

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November 2018 round up

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Fiona

What I have read I have achieved my Goodreads target (again!) I’m on 84 books, so now I will see how many I can get. I’m not going to up the goal this time though, as I know I’ll be … Continue reading →

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Inscriptions in books 3: It’s not her book, it’s mine!

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Fiona

My previous posts looked at books with one clear owner, be that evidenced by a nice prize giving label or hand-written names and addresses. I have, however, lots of books whose ownership isn’t quite so clear. Sibling arguments or second-hand … Continue reading →

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Monday #295

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Fiona

This Wednesday marks the fiftieth anniversary of Enid Blyton’s death. She died on November 28th, 1968 at the age of 71. As a child I just assumed she was still around, still writing, as I received new books for birthdays … Continue reading →

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Five Go to Smuggler’s Top

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Fiona

Here we are at book #4 in the series and, as I’ve probably said a hundred times or more, this is my absolute favourite Famous Five book. It won first place in my list of favourite Blyton books, and unsurprisingly … Continue reading →

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Inscriptions in books 2: this book belongs to

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Fiona

I’m not one for writing my name inside books. I’ve done it on a few over the years, or for a while I had little stickers, but I rarely felt the need to declare ownership. Perhaps I would have if … Continue reading →

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Monday #294

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Fiona

Inscriptions in books: this book belongs to and Five Go to Smuggler’s Top Dick Kirrin on seagulls: If they can mew like cats, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t bark like dogs. – Five Go to Smuggler’s Top (seeing as … Continue reading →

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Inscriptions in books 1: Introduction and prize giving labels

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Fiona

Inscriptions in books are a divisive topic, or so I’ve found. Some people absolutely hate them, to the point of refusing to buy an otherwise perfect and affordable copy of a cherished title just because it says ‘Mary Smith’ inside … Continue reading →

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Jack Arnold, part 2

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Fiona

Previously I looked at Jack’s origins and all his clever ideas for running away. Jack the captain Being the oldest and most responsible Jack is quickly declared captain of the little group. The children obey him without question and, in … Continue reading →

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Monday #293

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Fiona

Jack Arnold, part 2 and Inscriptions in books “Gosh,” said Irene again, with a comical air of dismay.”I’m nuts! I go and interrupt my own bit of composing, and rush off to do a job I’m not supposed to do … Continue reading →

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Noddy and the Case of the Amazing Eyebrows

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Fiona

Another very un-Bytonian episode title from Noddy, Toyland Detective. I have previously reviewed episode #1 The Case of the Broken Crystal Memory Game and episode #29, The Case of the Toyland Mischief Maker. Mischief makers are not unexpected in the original … Continue reading →

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Jack Arnold

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Fiona

I had initially intended to just feature Jack Arnold as my character of the week a few Mondays ago (and in fact I did) but I wrote so much for what should have been a 2-3 hundred word paragraph that I realised … Continue reading →

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Monday #292

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Fiona

It’s bonfire night, tonight. Don’t forget to have a look at our post on Blyton’s Bonfires, Guys and Fireworks, it’s perfect for today. Jack Arnold and Noddy, Toyland Detective “That’s what I was afraid of. I thought you would pick up … Continue reading →

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October 2018 round up

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Fiona

WHAT I HAVE READ I only have two more books to reach my Goodreads target of 80 books! The Day the Crayons Quit – Drew Daywalt A Trail Through Time (A Chronicles of St Mary’s #4) – Jodi Taylor Red … Continue reading →

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Malory Towers, continued

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Fiona

If you ask me, a Blyton purist, how many books there are in the Malory Towers series I would instantly tell you there are six. If you asked a modern reader they might well say twelve. Twelve?? That’s double! This … Continue reading →

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Monday #291

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Fiona

It’s a busy time in the UK at the moment, we have Halloween on October 31st and then Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th of November. If you need some Blyton to get you in the mood for either occasion, … Continue reading →

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