I am enjoying reading the current Journal at leisure, savouring the delights like a malt whisky. I won't go over points already made as I am in agreement with them. However, enjoyable as all the articles which I have read so far are, some are worth extra comment.
I loved reading the newspaper articles from the
Leyton Express and Independent and
Stratford Express, although the latter sounds rather like a fast train out of Marylebone. The following parts are of interest:
LE&I wrote:Her stories are nevertheless read not only by the young but by adults also. Her simplicity and power of easy but delightful description are a pleasant from of relaxation.
As that appeared in 1949, it would seem that adults have always enjoyed reading Blyton!
There is no doubt why her books sell well. She has an ideal and simple philosophy.
That just about sums it up.
SE wrote:...[then] you come to the simple detective mysteries for teen-agers
It would seem then that Enid wrote the Find-Outer's books for 13+ children. I'm sure I read them aged around 8.
not to push classics down childrens' throats...this is harmful and they should not be left to read them of their own accord
I agree. I have been put of many books from my schooldays for being force-fed classics. Having said that, there is no harm in discussing classics in the classroom.
Horror and love-interest should be kept out of children's books
Maybe that explains the under-development of the Cunningham-Mannering courtship!
Cory Roberts' article,
Growing Up with Enid Blyton was another riveting read. I echo the fact that his favourite author until the age of 12 was Blyton. Like Cory, I then thought I should grow out of Enid's books and then, later in life, again like Cory, I returned to them. Yes, it was a long-lost world and a reminder of my childhood.
apart from the wireless, which in any event did not cater for children
I certainly remember children's programmes on the wireless. For the very young there was
Listen With Mother, and then
Children's Hour ran throughout the war years (before my time) until 1964. There were regular programmes such as
Jennings at School and
Norman and Henry Bones episodes, also
Toytown, one of the best loved parts of Children's Hour. 36 stories about the inhabitants of a happy, sunny, carefree land written by book illustrator , S. G. Hulme Beaman. They were first broadcast in the 1930's, and many times since.
I see Cory identified her home village of Southborough as Peterswood. I identified this with my home village of West Harnham as Peterswood - one reason why Bourne End seems nothing like Peterswood to me!
Lastly, for the moment, what a delightful story
Spot Goes to Fairland was. Published in 1925, it was a joy to read. I will certainly be reading this to my grandson this Christmas! It was also interesting to note that the witch's cat was called Spitfire - giving a Blyton connection to our own Spitfire's username! The icing on the cake for this short story was the incredibly charming illustrations by Kathleen Nixon.
What a box of delights the Journal is, to be sure.