Those Dreadful Children

[Comerscroft]

I think this has to be my favourite Blyton 'family' story. It so reminds me of when I was brought up in Edinburgh in the late 1950s and 'what the neighbours think' was vitally important

I can relate to the Carltons with the way in which we were expected to behave, and also the security/cosiness of 'Mother' and 'Daddy' in the background. Although Mrs Carlton does fuss rather, her heart is in the right place, and the children are kind, pleasant and hard-working.

The Taggertys are also lovely in that Mrs T is kind and caring although not strong, so that the children are allowed to run wild, but when things go wrong and Mrs T is in hospital, the children change and become much less selfish. They are certainly a refreshing addition to the staid neighbourhood.

I love the way Mrs Carlton helps out the Taggertys ---'her calm kindness'--and the ending, when Mr Taggerty brings his wife home to the waiting children, is a real tearjerker!

[Fifibee]

I have just recently read this book as I am going through all my Enid Blytons after coming home from hospital. I really enjoyed it too and it was interesting to see both sides of the story of why the children behaved as they did. Another one I have read recently is 'The Six Bad Boys" where once again you could see why the children behaved as they did and it was quite sad in places too. Enid Blyton had a note for the reader at the start of the story of how she got "one of the finest magistrates of the court - Basil Henriques who deals with delinquent children" to read through the book to see if she had made any mistakes. She had also watched him at court dealing with these children. I am now reading this book to my daughter at bedtime and she can't wait for the next chapter!

Fifi Bee

[Susie]

I really enjoyed, those dreadful children too. Brought a new light on how the people lived in those times, and made me think, that i know a lady like that lady next door.

[Nair Snehalatha]

A lovely read-- those dreadful children

[MJE]

     Actually, it is a bit ambiguous as to which set of children are the titular "dreadful children". Each set thought the others were!

Regards, Michael.

[Debbie]

I think that's the cleverness of the story. As a reader you can see that each family has their issues when you get closer, although one is more obvious than the other initially.

[Moonraker]

Yes, I agree, Debbie. I have always thought it a clever title.

[GloomyGraham]

This is one of the Blyton books I can read over and over again.

I love many of the standalone titles (which I often think of as 'the house books') like 'Red-Roofs', 'Green Meadows', 'House At The Corner' etc.

[Nair Snehalatha]

Just finished reading-- Those dreadful children-- Both the mothers are very good in different ways-- Children learnt a lot from each other-- Bridget , the mother's help was very loving and caring too-- when mrs Taggerty was in hospital. A lovely story