It's interesting that you still have some of your grandparents' laundry receipt books, Katharine. Everyday items like that help build up a picture of what life was like.

I agree that they're absolutely gorgeous, Kate. Thanks as always to Tony. I've picked up three or four of the Holiday Books in recent years but only one has a dustwrapper. Grace Lodge has always been one of my favourite illustrators, but the plates by other artists are stunning too. I love the uncre...

I've just been listening to The Girl With April in Her Eyes by Chris de Burgh. A beautiful song, and very fitting for April!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A8lxC-EaYU

A lovely find, Judith! I've just looked at the cover in the Cave and it's delightful. I've never come across any of the Hackett's Little Gift Books.

I love the cosy feel of the Twiddles' kitchen, Katharine. The scullery was a small room off the kitchen with a deep sink, a mangle and a stone floor. Traditionally, it was used for washing the dishes as well as the clothes. There was a door to the back yard so my nanna could take her washing straigh...

For many years, 214 guests was the largest number we'd had. That was for 16th November 2009, when the Enid TV film was first shown. We didn't go past 214 until July last year.

The other story has Twiddle looking forward to a peaceful afternoon while his wife is at a tea party, but promising to let the cat in and feed it when he hears it crying. Each time he hears it crying, he can't find it and searches everywhere for the annoying animal such as in the shed and up on the...

Yes, I'm afraid a number of errors are affecting the website generally, as well as the forums, but Keith is aware.

I also notified Keith on 28th March and 26th April about the rising number of bots. It's because of the bots that we appear to have more than 600 'guests' visiting the forums!

Good points, Hannah and Yak. What I didn't know as a child (thereby missing the full import of Alma's name) is that there's a dessert called Alma Pudding - a steamed pudding with dried fruit. I seem to recall Boodi making one years ago from a traditional recipe. I'm a fan of stodgy puddings like tha...

A thoughtful review, Judith. I haven't read Songberd's Grove, though I have a copy somewhere, but I enjoyed reading Midway some time ago. It dealt with some tough issues but in a poetic, gentle style.

Photos need to be uploaded to a hosting site first, Sarah (e.g. Imgur or similar - I'm not sure which ones are around these days). Then the relevant image tag can be copied into your forums post. I've only ever posted images from a desktop computer so I'm afraid I'm not sure if it's different if pos...

Another good motto this time: It's what you do for others Not what they do for you That makes you feel so happy All through and through and through! I'm glad Thomasina the tortoise has turned up. Enid Blyton says that she (the tortoise - not Enid herself!) "almost scampers round the grass"...

Welcome, Sarah! Sorry for your loss, but it's lovely to hear that your dad was a cameraman on the Famous Five series. I was eight in 1978 and my sister and I also used to act out Famous Five stories with our friends after reading the books and watching the TV series. We'd have loved to have had some...

Ladybird books are ideal if you want a quick overview of a historical figure or event, Viv. Whenever I read one of the history titles, I learn something new even now. I don't have the Ladybird book about Samuel Pepys but I've read his diaries (or two volumes containing selections of the diaries) and...

Whatever the problem is, it's affecting the Cave of Books as well. We let Keith know about it last night so I'm sure that all will be well soon. In the meantime, sorry for any inconvenience. Jack, I've deleted your duplicate post on the Jennifer Thanisch thread but you're able to delete a post yours...