Another fortnight gone past already! I can hardly believe how fast they go - and so here's the next Enid Blyton Magazine.
The cover shows an illustrations from the first story,
A Lucky Afternoon which Tony has kindly scanned and added to The Cave. You can read it by following the link below. Its a good story - quite unusual - although similar ones have appeared before in the Magazine. Half-way though I suddenly thought 'I bet this is a true story' - and wasn't surprised to see, at the end, that it was. I particularly like the illustrations. Pity they are by an unknown artist. The style is very reminiscent of women's' magazines of the day.
In her editorial
Letter - which can also be read in The Cave by following the link - we hear that ENid is now back home, and its good to hear news of her garden and life at Green Hedges - particularly about the heron. Also interesting to hear she keeps apples in her old shed - a bit like the Secret Seven shed...except I think they were onions!
After the cover story we have
Our Letter Page with a selection of letters from the Sunbeam members. these detail how money was raised for the Sunshine Homes for Blind Babies - by making a hanging basket which was raffled and brought in 25 shillings, by embroidering handkerchiefs which made 10 shillings, and by selling home-made plaster figures, which actually raised £3!
After this, another uncollected short story -
The Bit Of Ribbon - which can also be read by following the link to The Cave. Many thanks, Tony. Its a story that (I think?) is based on a famous fable...and has certainly been reused by Enid Blyton more than once. Its rather inconsequential in a way, unless you've never read any of the similar stories - but it teaches a good lesson! I also love the illustrations - by Sylvia Venus. They remind me of Amelia Jane, of course - but then so does the story. It could quite easily have been an Amelia Jane story in fact.
After the Ribbon story, we have a
Painting Competition - and I'm always interested to see the great prizes on offer - THREE books by Enid Blyton for each winner - and there are three winners - one for each of three age categories. What a great prize!
Next,
The Puzzle Page
here are a couple of the puzzles from this issue -
Sunbeams Puzzle -
Can you find the fruits hidden in the following sentences?
a) "Will you move that top lump of clay."
b) "Can I have my cap, please?"
Then we have
The Famous Five Puzzle -
What am I?
Seven letters make this name of mine,
You'll find me on a railway line,
You might think I should be in bed,
But I'm more useful here instead.
Lastly
The Busy Bees Puzzle -
Can you find the musical instrument hidden in the sentence below?
"Is the prisoner in his cell or not?"
Rumble and Chuff follow the Puzzle Page with the continuing picture-strip story about the Brownie and the train. Together they set off on their adventures into the big wide world, waving goodbye to the toys from the nursery window, and surprising the bunnies as they watch them go by. What fun!
Next - the continuing story of
Secret Seven Mystery - chapter 17. No illustration this issue, which is a shame. In fact the chapter only covers three pages - must be quite a short chapter.
The next short story is
Mr Twiddle Pays A Call and I think its my favourite story of this issue. I never really appreciated Mr Twiddle as a kid and consequently I haven't read many of his stories (something I must rectify!) - but I really love the atmosphere of them. They take you straight back to simpler times, to a way of life that is sadly gone, when people helped neighbours, tea was always on the table, gardens were always well-planted, and women wore nice hats! I'd never read this story before - but if you care to read it you can find it in
Mr Twiddle Fetches Polly and other stories (Award 2003). Its an amusing story of Mr Twiddle going visiting, going to the wrong house and the wrong Mrs Brown, and being mistaken for an odd-job man!
It has some great illustrations in the magazine version, too, by the originator of Mr Twiddle, Hilda McGavin. She makes Mrs Brown look extremely disagreeable!
The Birthday Kitten follows, with Chapter 2. I'm sure we're mostly familiar with this story, and if not, then its easy to buy a copy, as it has been republished many times. I must admit though that for me the Grace Lodge illustrations in the original version are the best illustrations. She's one of my most favourite illustrators of all time.
Our News-sheet follows, and I was quite sad to read some of the stuff Enid writes about her Children's Home patients. Makes us realise that things weren't always rosey for children in the past, just as today. Enid writes -
Do you remember our backward little Mark? he has made such wonderful progress that he is now down with the toddlers. Will you believe it, we haven't heard one single word from his mother since we took him months ago! I am sure your mothers wouldn't forget you!
I also found it interesting to read about the requests that had been coming in for
Famous Five Club ties I wonder if anything ever came of these, as I've never seen one for sale, or heard anyone mention them. Maybe they were too expensive, or not enough children requested one. Enid says -
Hundreds of you have begged for ties with the badge of the FF club on them, so I have been making enquiries for you. I have found a manufacturer who will make them, with our badge on them - good washable ties - but he says he will only do so if enough of you want them. So would those who would like them please send me a card, and I will then see if it's possible to get the ties made. They would cost 4s. 6d, (Do not send any money now, please!)
And so we come to the end of another Enid Blyton Magazine. Hope you enjoy reading the stories! Follow the link below -
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/maga ... ?magid=911
See you next time!