The Enid Blyton Society

The only illustrating that Shirley Hughes has done for an Enid Blyton book was in Father Christmas and Belinda in 1951. Next year it would seem that more Famous Five books are coming out with covers done by some different illustrators. One of these is being done by Shirley Hughes, 64 years after her previous illustrating for Enid,

I love Shirley Hughes' illustrations, Tony - and finally, a new Enid Blyton cover that's "modern" in style but captures the era that the book is set in, and doesn't look silly or cartoony! It's really quite lovely. Wonderful that Shirley is still going strong after all these years, too. I loved her Dogger as a child, and she's written and/or illustrated many other beautiful books as well.

My only gripe about her Famous Five cover is that Anne looks a bit snub-nosed and ugly! But other than that, she's really captured the closeness of the Kirrin cousins and Timmy, and their love for Kirrin Island.

I quite like this cover. It's bright and captures the essence of the series. Also, Timmy is just as I imagine him to be.

I like the cover too. As John says, Timmy looks like Timmy in Soper's illustrations.

It's a refreshing cover, let's hope it helps to sell the books.

I love Shirley Hughes' work. Alfie and Annie Rose, Dogger, Lucy and Tom, Tales of Trotter Street... I'm not completely sure about her Famous Five though. It's a huge improvement on some of the other recent ones certainly, but as much as I like her work and that of Quentin Blake, they don't capture the Five as I see them.

Also, it's not clear which is Dick and which is George, while Julian looks smaller/younger than the boyish pair.

Oh, I love that cover. It's so gorgeous looking. And Timmy is just perfect!

I see what you mean about one of the boys looking rather small, Fiona, though I'd say George is probably the child in the orange top because her hair looks quite curly. All the children seem a little young to me - nevertheless, it's super to see a Famous Five cover by a much-loved illustrator like Shirley Hughes. Attractive colours and arrangement. When I was little I loved Shirley Hughes' illustrations for Dorothy Edwards' books about 'My Naughty Little Sister'.

I'd assumed George was in the orange top, too.

Yes looking again her hair does look a little curly but it's not very obvious that she's a girl.

Fiona1986 wrote:....but it's not very obvious that she's a girl.

George will be thrilled to know that!

Yes, I think that's George too, though I'd prefer her to have more obviously curly hair. I'm assuming the boy on the left is Julian and the younger-looking one on the right is Dick. I know Julian had fair hair and Dick had dark hair in the '70s TV series, but does Enid ever tell us in the books what colour hair any of the children have (apart from George's being dark)?

I must say I also like Timmy in this illustration - he looks very like Eileen Soper's version of Timmy.

I like the illustration a lot too, though I agree that the fair haired boy looks too young. Okay, so you have had the sweetie - now comes the medicine, I hope it doesn't taste too bad!

It tastes awful, Tony! I wasn't aware Timmy was so elephantine!

Another spoonful perhaps!!

He has shrunk quite considerably! But oh dear .....