The Mysterious Boy - Julie Robinson

[Moonraker]

I don't really know what these figures refer to, but it looks as if you're doing okay, Julie! Maybe you need to go viral Rob with a tweet!

[Rob Houghton]

I don't tweet!

Don't forget, I'm not getting any professional publicity or promotions, as Julie is.

Anyway, I only did it as a bit of fun, and many people have enjoyed it, which is the main thing, as I'm sure Julie would agree!

I could promote my book more on Amazon, but it costs money, and there's no guarantee it would increase sales.

[pete9012S]

Seems we have now had some sad news confirmed about Stephen.
Really sorry to hear about this.

[Daisy]

What do you make of the message at the top of Stephen's page, Pete?

[pete9012S]

I didn't see that - I hope it doesn't mean what I fear it does?

[Rob Houghton]

What do you make of the message at the top of Stephen's page, Pete?

I wondered that too! rest In Peace.

[Daisy]

Yes, Rob... I wondered.

[sixret]

I agree with Stephen regarding Julie’s book.

I do not understand “the message at the top of Stephen’s page”, Pete, Daisy and Rob.

Please enlighten me.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Like Sixret, I can't see any message at the top of the Facebook page. However, Daisy and Rob's comments led me to do some Googling and I found this obituary:

https://www.samaritanfuneralhome.com/ob ... !/Obituary" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems that Stephen Isabirye had a stroke in December 2016 and died in June this year while in rehabilitation. He is survived by his mother, ten brothers and six sisters. A sad end to his life - and a hard thing for his family to go through. RIP Stephen Isabirye.

I will move any further messages of condolence into the Stephen Isabirye thread:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... 59#p337959" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Julie2owlsdene]

I just thought I'd share a few photos the schools have sent me for those who are interested.

It's been fab meeting all the children and answering their many questions on these visits, which I thoroughly enjoy. Maybe I should have gone into teaching instead of the NHS

Apart from this months engagements, I've already been asked to visit one school in March for the World's Book Day, which I'm really looking forward to, as I know many dress up in their favourite characters.

Despite the fact that I still talk of Blyton and plug her works, I'm always surprised that she's not the popular author I always thought she was. Walliams, is one of the favourites, as well as Rowling, and a few I don't really know of.

Anyway a few photos. Oh and one of them is from a young girl who had a picture of her homework sent to me. Which I thought was great.

[Lucky Star]

Great pictures Julie. A shame that Enid is not as popular as she once was but I suppose times and tastes change. It's good that you give her a plug. Who knows, some children may feel inspired to try out her books. Perhaps tell them of some Blyton books which resemble The Mysterious Boy. A sort of "If you like The Mysterious Boy then you'll definitely like this one" type of thing.

[Courtenay]

Well done, Julie — glad your school visits are going so well and you're enjoying them and obviously so are the kids!

As for Enid's popularity, to be fair, she was nowhere near being "the" most popular author for me or anyone I knew even when I started school back in the late 1980s. We had lots of her books at home and in the library, of course, and I read and enjoyed them regularly, but I didn't know anyone else my age who was a huge fan — I think she was seen as fun but a bit old fashioned even then. For my own favourite author I would have said Roald Dahl for a (then) current one and C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien for "classic" ones. I don't think Enid Blyton has been in the absolute top ratings among young readers since my parents' era when she was still alive and turning out new books at an incredible rate! But the fact that she IS still being read and enjoyed by younger readers, as well as nostalgic adults, is fantastic and an achievement that I don't think many other children's authors can match.

[pete9012S]

Lovely photos and update - thank you Julie.
Great to hear it's going well Julie and you are enjoying it.

I was telling an author I am friendly with, Frank Cottrell Boyce about your book and some of the questions the children ask you.

He laughed when I told him about some of the young characters you encounter in the schools you visit!

[Eddie Muir]

Well done, Julie. Great photos. I’m so glad that your school visits are proving to be so successful.

[Anita Bensoussane]

It's good to hear that your school visits are going well, Julie.

Apart from this months engagements, I've already been asked to visit one school in March for the World's Book Day, which I'm really looking forward to, as I know many dress up in their favourite characters.

Perhaps you could go as an Enid Blyton character, Julie! A Faraway Tree character would be fun, e.g. Dame Washalot, the Saucepan Man or Silky!