Another fortnight gone by and another new EB Magazine! Its the first magazine of February - and here it is -
The cover story this week is
Lucky Linda - which you can read by following the link below. Its a really good story, in my opinion, especially as I was also a very shy child, and I'm sure people thought I was snobbish or standoffish - when I wasn't - just painfully shy. Its unusual for Enid to realise this, as she is often scathing of shy people, so its nice to see a different take on it!
I really enjoyed the story - and it is quite tense in places - and reminded me of The Ring O#Bells Mystery!
It also has some great illustrations - by someone who is sadly not credited.
In Enid's
Editorial Letter this week we have a very sunny message from Enid. She is obviously full of the joys of spring, talking about the birds and flowers she's seen in her garden - including crocuses and snowdrops. We have quite a crowd of snowdrops out now - but so far no sign f any crocuses yet.
Its always good to read Enid's descriptions of her garden and the animals there, and its easy to see how children really felt an affinity with Enid and her home. Enid also tells us about the Noddy Pantomime, which has now been filmed and will be shown in cinemas. I wonder if it ever was?! I can't imagine it, myself. Maybe it was shown on TV instead? I think we watched a couple of minutes of it at an Enid Blyton day one year? I have the 'book of the play' and there are some great illustrations - also some great songs too (lol!)some of which appear on the Noddy stories records, told by Enid Blyton and sung by members of the pantomime cast. Songs such as -
Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner,
Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner,
Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner,
Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner,
(sounds like the theme tune to Batman!)
Oh, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner,
We're hungry as can be,
What have we got for dinner,
We're as hungry as can be!
Oh I've got steak and kidney,
And a treacle pudding too!
And we've got lots of sausages
We'll keep a few for you!
etc!
At last, Enid tells us that the Famous Five film will be coming to Birmingham - Dudley Road. Nowhere near me, but I guess its better than nothing! She is also pleased to tell us how many children have written saying they love the Famous Five serial. As Enid says -
When I saw it being filmed, I knew you would!
After Lucky Linda we continue with
A Puzzle For The Secret Seven - chapter 9 - Crash! This time around there's an illustration by Burgess SHarocks and its very similar to the illustration that appears in the finished book. I've always thought the illustration f the boys looking in the shop window at the bike is one of Sharrocks' better illustrations. Here are both of them - first one from the magazine, second one from the book -
Next we have another uncollected short story - and another good one -
The Jumble Puppy - which is a charming story - not really exciting - but a good read - and some really good illustrations by Marjorie L Davies. What a great illustrator she was - probably my second favourite after Grace Lodge. Read the story by following the link.
Our Letter Page this week has a selection of letters. One is from Sandra Marston, who writes -
Dear Enid Blyton, On behalf of the Dartford Granadiers, I would like to say how much we are all enjoying your film 'Five On A Treasure Island'. A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of seeing Rel Grainger, who acts the part of George. She visited the cinema, and I was lucky enough to obtain her autograph. Yours sincerely Sandra Marston.
Always interesting to hear about the Famous Five serial! Enid Replies -
Thank you, Sandra! I have had many letters like yours, telling me about the Famous Five Film, but yours was so beautifully written that I have chosen it out of all the rest, to print on this page.
Next we have the latest instalment of
Rumble and Chuff - an instalment I found rather odd, because its set at Christmas Eve! Why would children want to read about Christmas Eve and Father Christmas in February? That wasn't planned very well, was it?! I know as a kid I wouldn't have wanted to read anything about Christmas unless it was Christmas time. Strange.
Next we have
Puzzle Page
SUNBEAMS PRIZE PUZZLE
My first is in pipe but not in smoke
My second is in funny but not in joke
My third is in pound but not in ounce,
My fourth is in leap and also in pounce,
My fifth is in penny but not in cent
My whole is often on mischief bent!
FAMOUS FIVE PRIZE PUZZLE -
Below you will find a string of letters. Cross out the letters of one word, leaving the letters of another word, according to the clues given -
Take away the name of one vegetable and leave another one -
P T O U T R A N I T P O
A PUZZLE FOR MY BUSY BEES -
Add one letter in front of, and one letter behind, each of the groups of letters below and turn them into the names of birds -
WIF AVE AGL
The next short story is
Mr Stampabout's Hat - which can be read in Mighty-One the Wizard and Other Stories (Award 2003). Its a typical story about Mr Stampabout - quite amusing - and some great illustrations by another uncredited illustrator.
The final story this issue is
Five get Into A Fix - chapter 16. The illustrations are quite different from those shown in the book, this time round - or at least, one is - but the magazine illustrations are interesting, because they are captioned round the wrong way - as you can see from the two magazine illustrations below -
here are the equivalents in the novel version -
Enjoy reading the two uncollected short stories here -
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/maga ... ?magid=930