Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
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pete9012S
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Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by pete9012S »

Can't remember if this has been posted before:
Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages – in pictures
Illustrator Alex T Smith takes us on a fascinating tour of Enid Blyton book cover art from the 1940s to the present day.
https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-b ... rough-ages" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Courtenay »

That's really interesting, Pete. I love the captions down the side! :D
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Post by Eddie Muir »

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the link, Pete. :D
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Rob Houghton »

Great captions...but the person writing them actually illustrated that ugly naughtiest Girl Diary cover?!

Alex T Smith is certainly not my idea of a classic Blyton illustrator - but I can overlook it, as its illustrating a 'Diary' rather than a novel. I must admit I like the general idea - that the cover is drawn by a child in felt pen, and you can see where the pens are starting to run out - cleverly done...so for general idea, I like it, but I wouldn't be so keen if it was decorating a more serious novel. I presume the 'Diary' is anything but serious and nothing like the three main books.

I remember having a copy of that very 1990's 'Rockingdown Mystery' before I finally bought it in original hardback - another dreadful 1990's cover, a bit like those dreadful ones for the Find Outers where all the boys have 'curtain' hairstyles, lol! :-D :lol:

I also remember thinking that the 1980's paperback covers of the Faraway Tree books were indeed rather frightening!
Last edited by Rob Houghton on 14 Oct 2017, 13:38, edited 1 time in total.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by pete9012S »

Image
Rob Houghton wrote: Alex T Smith is certainly not my idea of a Blyton illustrator!
Although I personally appreciate your sentiments Rob, I'm almost certain John would prefer the externals created by Alex T Smith than Maxey's externals.. :cry: :D :wink:
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Rob Houghton »

I must admit I'm intrigued by the idea of the Naughtiest Girl Diary...is it a diary based on the existing books, or a completely different story altogether? It reminds me slightly of the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' type books.

edit - Ah - looking on Amazon, I see its a modern imagining - including references to 'devices' and laptops and the 21st century etc. :? Still, that's better than completely rewriting the original stories. 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
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(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by sixret »

Thank you, Pete. I love looking at the cover illustrations of Famous Five 2001 series. Their facial expressions are spot on!
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by John Pickup »

pete9012S wrote: Although I personally appreciate your sentiments Rob, I'm almost certain John would prefer the externals created by Alex T Smith than Maxey's externals.. :cry: :D :wink:
Not so, Pete. Although I did notice that the incomparable Eileen Soper was well-represented in the article. Sheer class. :wink:
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Eddie Muir »

Sheer class indeed! :D
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Tony Summerfield »

Thanks for posting that, Pete, I certainly hadn't seen it. For those that don't know, Alex T. Smith is the current illustrator of the Amelia Jane books for Egmont. I have got a copy of the Naughtiest Girl Diary, but I have only read a bit so far. It is written by Jeanne Willis who is a very good children's author and the bit that I read was very funny. In case anyone is wondering it is not set in the early 1940s but is very much a modern day diary.
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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Rob Houghton »

Using the 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon, I must admit the bits I've read are very amusing - and it works precisely because it is a modern take on the original idea. I loved the way Elizabeth writes that they aren't allowed to take 'mobiles and devices to Whyteleafe school' because leaving them behind will prevent misuse, promote Independence, encourage letter-writing and the art of conversation, pursue healthy out-door activities' and says ' Excuse me? Its the 21st century! What next? Ride to school on a penny farthing? Do my homework on papyrus with a stick? Wear a whalebone corset and a crinoline for PE?' lol! :lol:

I'm quite tempted to buy it, as its so different from the originals - and isn't a rewrite, but is a creative 'extension' to the originals, which I find quite acceptable.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Enid Blyton book illustrations through the ages

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I've read The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl and found it lively and witty, though it was a little surreal to see the events of The Naughtiest Girl in the School from a completely different perspective.
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