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Posted: 02 Feb 2018, 04:12
The Enid Blyton Society is often called upon to identify books or individual stories, and occasionally it can be a difficult task when the author's output is taken into consideration. Take for example a recent request for assistance that sits on the Enid Blyton Society's introductory page whereby a 'Mandy' enquires after the title of a long lost Blyton.
This entreaty is a little special insofar as the subject has seen light of day before. Looking back a year or two, 'Myra' also wants to read what appears to be a much sought-after story, and even earlier, a 'Joan' expresses her wish to peruse the 'flip and a flop' tale.
It appears the book has even been searched for by US educators, so what's the attraction of this publication with its sought after tale?
I think it has to be found - if only to satisfy curiosity, and this website's the ideal place from which to launch an investigation due to the plethora of information it contains concerning Enid Blyton. The data has been gathered together by knowledgeable persons from all over ...... people such as Tony, Anita, Courtenay, Moonraker and many others who possess encyclopaedic memories when it comes to recalling just what's in in the Blyton catalogue.
The more clues available the better our chances of tracking it down, so let the hunt continue.
For starters, there's supposed to be an illustration depicting a small girl's bedroom with toys and fairies visible ..... but who's never seen a Blyton book containing this very representation? Immediately the first 'Bedside' pops up because of its cover. Unfortunately it's not quite the ticket, despite the last page featuring a very applicable image of a little girl in bed with fairies and pixies all round. There's even a Fairy Queen waving her wand but the contents don't fit in with what clues we have.
Can't recall " ... flip and a flop and a terrible thud ...." (repeated many times), but Enid Blyton could certainly have included that in a poem.
"You want to go to Fairyland I have the magic key ..."
Now that sounds Blytonish and could remind one of those little rhymes scattered throughout the short story reprints.
'Magic Soap' and 'Bitsy Bunny' are typical of our esteemed author but so far no 'Bitsy' seems evident although it's not to say one doesn't exist. A Blyton account entitled 'The Magic Wash Tub' features a 'Binny' and also 'Magic Soap' but the set-up doesn't fit in with a downed clothesline; it's merely the oft-used theme of a person borrowing something without permission and being engulfed by what follows (cf: Rubbalong Tales_'Sniff Gets Into Hot Water').
"Girl rescues fairy from a flower containing rain water."
The only reference connected with saving fairies from a watery grave (to mind) is where Betty rescues one from a pond (cf: The Astonishing Ladder_'Betty's Fairy Doll').
"Ned the Kuomb!"
Now what could that possibly be? Could 'Kuomb' be a misinterpretation?
A 'Bluebird' is mentioned.
What EB story has a bluebird in it?
"Picture of dancing bugs!"
This brings to mind those full-page colour illustrations in the 'Holiday' or 'Gifford Flower' books' but these don't appear to contain any displays of insects jiving together, although such a concept would fit well into an Enid Blyton tale.
Many times fans have recalled stories, which they 'think' were by the author only to find they came from another source - so could this be the case? It would still be interesting to see the book/story even if it isn't by Enid Blyton - just to see what the attraction is. Admittedly all the above-mentioned 'clues' would more-or-less fit a Blyton production .... but one tiny item could raise a hint of doubt.
A Head Fairy, who loses her necklace of pearls, is mentioned.
That fits in all right with any story, but upon learning her name is 'Mary, a slight suspicion is aroused. Would any Blytonite feel comfortable seeing 'Mary' the fairy appearing in an Enid Blyton tale? 'Peronel' was a name often used, although not necessarily for a Head/Queen. 'Titania' could hardly be employed, however our author has bestowed many creative handles on her fairies, pixies, and other characters. Chinky's a good example.
But 'Mary?'
The case remains open.
This entreaty is a little special insofar as the subject has seen light of day before. Looking back a year or two, 'Myra' also wants to read what appears to be a much sought-after story, and even earlier, a 'Joan' expresses her wish to peruse the 'flip and a flop' tale.
It appears the book has even been searched for by US educators, so what's the attraction of this publication with its sought after tale?
I think it has to be found - if only to satisfy curiosity, and this website's the ideal place from which to launch an investigation due to the plethora of information it contains concerning Enid Blyton. The data has been gathered together by knowledgeable persons from all over ...... people such as Tony, Anita, Courtenay, Moonraker and many others who possess encyclopaedic memories when it comes to recalling just what's in in the Blyton catalogue.
The more clues available the better our chances of tracking it down, so let the hunt continue.
For starters, there's supposed to be an illustration depicting a small girl's bedroom with toys and fairies visible ..... but who's never seen a Blyton book containing this very representation? Immediately the first 'Bedside' pops up because of its cover. Unfortunately it's not quite the ticket, despite the last page featuring a very applicable image of a little girl in bed with fairies and pixies all round. There's even a Fairy Queen waving her wand but the contents don't fit in with what clues we have.
Can't recall " ... flip and a flop and a terrible thud ...." (repeated many times), but Enid Blyton could certainly have included that in a poem.
"You want to go to Fairyland I have the magic key ..."
Now that sounds Blytonish and could remind one of those little rhymes scattered throughout the short story reprints.
'Magic Soap' and 'Bitsy Bunny' are typical of our esteemed author but so far no 'Bitsy' seems evident although it's not to say one doesn't exist. A Blyton account entitled 'The Magic Wash Tub' features a 'Binny' and also 'Magic Soap' but the set-up doesn't fit in with a downed clothesline; it's merely the oft-used theme of a person borrowing something without permission and being engulfed by what follows (cf: Rubbalong Tales_'Sniff Gets Into Hot Water').
"Girl rescues fairy from a flower containing rain water."
The only reference connected with saving fairies from a watery grave (to mind) is where Betty rescues one from a pond (cf: The Astonishing Ladder_'Betty's Fairy Doll').
"Ned the Kuomb!"
Now what could that possibly be? Could 'Kuomb' be a misinterpretation?
A 'Bluebird' is mentioned.
What EB story has a bluebird in it?
"Picture of dancing bugs!"
This brings to mind those full-page colour illustrations in the 'Holiday' or 'Gifford Flower' books' but these don't appear to contain any displays of insects jiving together, although such a concept would fit well into an Enid Blyton tale.
Many times fans have recalled stories, which they 'think' were by the author only to find they came from another source - so could this be the case? It would still be interesting to see the book/story even if it isn't by Enid Blyton - just to see what the attraction is. Admittedly all the above-mentioned 'clues' would more-or-less fit a Blyton production .... but one tiny item could raise a hint of doubt.
A Head Fairy, who loses her necklace of pearls, is mentioned.
That fits in all right with any story, but upon learning her name is 'Mary, a slight suspicion is aroused. Would any Blytonite feel comfortable seeing 'Mary' the fairy appearing in an Enid Blyton tale? 'Peronel' was a name often used, although not necessarily for a Head/Queen. 'Titania' could hardly be employed, however our author has bestowed many creative handles on her fairies, pixies, and other characters. Chinky's a good example.
But 'Mary?'
The case remains open.