I read more of the journal yesterday. I’m spreading it out a bit. Interesting articles as always. I got as far as the Parrot of Adventure. I remember being intrigued by that very first chapter in the series (Island of Adventure) when Philip couldn’t work out who was talking to him. I agree that Barn...

What does ‘Enid Blyton was the Muhammad Ali of Children’s Literature’ mean? And how about ‘the Famous Five have often been described as the Beatles of Children’s Literature?’ It’s total rubbish. I think it means she was to children’s literature what Ali was to boxing. The greatest. And the Famous F...

I think The Pipkins must have been a one-hit band.
When Albert Hammond toured here some years ago, he performed this song. I didn't know he had written it until he announced it. He wrote a lot of songs for other artists. Never thought I'd see it performed live!

A mysterious light flashed at night,
Intermittent, and not very bright.
'Twas from Smugglers' Top
Which was but a hop
From the mist covered marshes, hidden from sight.

My copy arrived at "First Base" today (as I might call it).
(i.e. I'm using someone else's overseas address because of the slow postal service here).
And I will be getting it at the weekend. That's as quick as it's ever been for me I think.

Who does he look like now ? One of the old crooners popular at the time?

There's one little mistake: Stories from the Roaring 20s – No. 34: The Adventures of Bob Bunny 79:20 Stories from the Roaring 20s – No. 34: Tony the Toymaker 81:77 should be No. 35. Stories from the Roaring 20s – No. 36: Lucky Number 82:78 There could be a few more but I will fix that one in the nex...

I have been updating the index that can be downloaded from this link. Up to No. 82.

Index

I think I must still be reading the books from a child's perspective, as I always see Mr. Goon as a "grown up", conveniently forgetting that I am probably closer to old Jeremiah Boogle's age, than Mr. Goon's age!

After reading so many of your superb Secret Seven reviews in the cave I have come to view you as a Secret Seven connoisseur. Thanks for the kind comments! In Secret Seven Mystery, Pam and Barbara go off to explore the woods and the fields so they have quite an adventure of their own. It shows they ...

In "Go Ahead Secret Seven" it does say that all the girls, including Susie, are in the same class at school.
Barbara is quieter than Pam. She sticks up for Pam when Peter loses his temper and they seem to be best friends as they always go around together.

I have seen a few interesting names for beers but nothing as good as that!

In defence of Goon, I was thinking: "Would I like a pack of children (or adults for that matter) to interfere in my work, or try and do it better than I could do it myself? And then to occasionally throw in some red herrings that had me spending time on non productive tasks (akin to following u...

These are excellent: Five Go to Smuggler’s Top (good cast including Noddy’s voice): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqciRHxLIrI I listened to a bit and it does sound good. I must listen to all of it and maybe some of the others. But why would Noddy be at Smuggler's Top without my knowledge I wonder...

I don't think I have read any of these books, but I had a friend who was a fan, so when I was looking in second hand shops for Blytons, I used to look out for these books as well. I remember them as being quite thick hardback books, and very old.