Famous Five Annual 2016

[Nicko]

If they were to do an annual for 2018, then could it be tied into the 50th anniversary of her passing? Or is that too morbid?

[pete9012S]

Any feed back on how well all the annuals from the last few years have sold?

They seem to be reduced to a very cheap price after a while - is that just common practise with 'annuals' in general?

[Tony Summerfield]

Plenty of willing readers for a new annual, but spare a thought for the poor 'workers'! The annuals were intended to be a mixture of stories, articles and puzzles. My job was to come up with five or six ideas for a Famous Five Annual. Some of these could just be one page snippets, but others required short articles with plenty of fact rather than opinion, but above all they needed illustrations that were preferably in colour. This is difficult for a single series, possible for the Famous Five, but virtually impossible for any other series except perhaps the Secret Seven.

An Enid Blyton Annual would certainly be possible, but it would be done on the same basis and not just a regurgitation of stories - Hodder do that plentifully anyway, you only have to look at all the new books coming out this year. It would need articles such as 'A Childhood in Beckenam' and 'The Story of Sunny Stories', with possible things on Green Hedges and Old Thatch as well, although any colour pictures of what these looked like in Enid's day would be impossible to find. Several of the sort of ideas that I could come up with I have already used in The Enid Blyton Dossier. Plenty of colour here as I primarily used book cover illustrations. What seems like a century ago I came up with a number of ideas for a second Enid Blyton Dossier which I discussed at the time with Brian Stewart, but the sorry tale of the first Dossier (remaindered before it was even published as the printers in Spain wouldn't release it without full payment) rather knocked that on the head!

I think my main point is that these things are easier said than done, and filling an annual with plenty of colour is not as easy as it sounds.

[Rob Houghton]

The Dossier was what started my re-acquaintance with Enid Blyton! If I hadn't have gone into Waterstones in Birmingham city centre in 2000 and bought it on an impulse, I might not have ever found The Journal or this website, or attended any of the amazing Blyton Days. It certainly wasn't 'remaindered' though - I paid the full price for it! I think it was £15.

And it was worth every penny!

[pete9012S]

Yes,I often dip into it too.
It's an extremely well compiled book.
Very impressive too,as it was done before the truly digital age we live in these days.

I think also the large size of the book helps to appreciate the scans,artwork and illustrations more,although on a minor note I would have liked a smidgeon more of Betty Maxey.

Actually,I don't know if she appears at all within the Dossier?
Perhaps on the front covers of a few scant paperbacks perhaps?

[Rob Houghton]

although on a minor note I would have liked a smidgeon more of Betty Maxey.

Actually,I don't know if she appears at all within the Dossier?
Perhaps on the front covers of a few scant paperbacks perhaps?

I don't think she appears in The Dossier at all, Pete!

Tony was going for quality, obviously!!

Maybe Maxey would have featured in part 2 of the Dossier...some would suggest that's a good enough reason for it not to have been produced!!

[Francis]

Tony can feel proud of his achievement in taking such a prominent part in producing three outstanding annuals in the last three years - never mind the brilliant dossier and club magazines and this wonderful site.

[Moonraker]

I am sure I said ages ago that there definitely wouldn't be another Famous Five Annual,

You did! As I said, don't believe all you read on the Amazon website (or seemingly, Waterstone's too). I have been waiting for a book to be published for over two years now - Amazon keep putting back the date. I have even written to the publishers on more than one occasion. It is still listed yet never published. It now says 'unavailable'.

[Courtenay]

Maybe they missed the last bus?

[Tony Summerfield]

I think also the large size of the book helps to appreciate the scans,artwork and illustrations more,although on a minor note I would have liked a smidgeon more of Betty Maxey.

Actually,I don't know if she appears at all within the Dossier?
Perhaps on the front covers of a few scant paperbacks perhaps?

You are right, Pete, the 'great lady' doesn't even get a mention on the list of Blyton illustrators! There was a good reason for this as I restricted the list to those who had illustrated in Enid Blyton's lifetime, so Val Biro didn't get a mention either.

[Rob Houghton]

And here I was just thinking you had good taste, Tony!

[John Pickup]

He has! Maxey in an annual? Whatever next?

[pete9012S]

Happily I have noticed that the great Betty Maxey's covers are on display on pages 44 & 45 of the Famous Five Annual 2014.

The Famous Five Annual 2016 actually gives Betty a mention as well as including some American re-named paperbacks on page 51.

Looks like Tony has been breaking us in gently.

It always amazes me that the great Eileen Soper whose work is so well thought of described illustrating for Enid Blyton as 'hack work & a chore',whilst Betty Maxey who so ably captured the Zeitgeist for the next generation of Famous Five readers remains unloved/unappreciated by just about everyone.

[Francis]

Pete, with you as an impassioned advocate I will have to love her as well as Eileen! I hope she is still alive to appreciate your devotion.

[Moonraker]

Pete. Change the record.