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Barney says: I only recall Enid Blyton giving individuals glimpses of their (possible) future selves. I'm thinking of stories like 'The Enchanted Book', 'The Magic Mirror' and 'Sulky Susan'.

Barney says: 'Mr. Wibble-Wobble and Other Stories' was released as a record and as a cassette in 1983. Unfortunately, it has never been released as a CD. Your best bet would be to keep an eye on sites like eBay, though it may take a while to find one for sale. Good luck with your search!

Barney says: Your question has been answered on the forums, Aminmec.

Barney says: Thank you, Julie, and many thanks for the continuation books you've written for the Secret Passage. I know they are much enjoyed. A hearty wuff of Christmas greeting to you and all the family, including Rosie!

Barney says: Thank you, Peter! A jolly wag of the tail and a Happy Christmas to you too!

Barney says: I'm hoping that Father Christmas will drop some meaty bones down the chimney for me, Mary! You can see some of Enid Blyton's Christmas titles here. Tales of Toyland, The Six Bad Boys and Five Go Adventuring Again also feature Christmas.

Barney says: If you're planning to make money or perform something you'll need to seek permission from the copyright holders, Hachette UK. Their contact details are on their website.

Barney says: Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons has been filmed twice (1974 and 2016) and it would be great to see an adaptation of similar quality of Enid Blyton's The Adventurous Four.

Barney says: The Adventurous Four would work well as a film or TV series as it's full of action and atmosphere. Plenty of other wartime dramas have been made for children and young adults, such as Goodnight Mister Tom, Carrie's War, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, so there's no reason why The Adventurous Four couldn't be done.

Barney says: I've combined your three messages, Mary. To answer your first question, my favourite Enid Blyton book is Shadow, the Sheep-Dog because the main character is one of the bravest, most intelligent characters Enid Blyton ever created! The Find-Outers series is brilliant but it's a pity two of the books have the word "cat" in the title. "Dog" would be much better! Regarding accusations of racism and sexism, attitudes change over time and older books need to be read with that in mind. The harshest criticisms came from people who hadn't taken social history into account.

Barney says: A wuff of greeting to you, EB's GF (Enid Blyton's Greatest Fan)! We may not have had an Enid Blyton Day since 2012 (it became harder and harder to get speakers) but there have been smaller Society gatherings at places like Old Thatch, Beckenham and Bekonscot. If you look at our forums you'll see that they're still going strong too - and Issue 64 of The Enid Blyton Society Journal was published last week. The 75th anniversary of the publication of Five on a Treasure Island was marked by Hodder this year with special editions, events and articles, but I don't know whether death anniversaries tend to be commemorated in quite the same way.

Barney says: As you've discovered, Elise, it just doesn't work out! It's possible that Enid Blyton originally intended The Twins at St Clare's to be a one-off book but then decided to extend the series and regretted making the girls so old at the beginning. She rarely (if ever) mentions their ages again.

Barney says: A number of recent pieces in the media have been more positive about Enid Blyton. I don't believe Enid Blyton viewed race as an issue. In her magazine editorials she welcomes readers of all races and nationalities and says that they're "all part of my big family of children".

Barney says: That's a big question for a dog to answer, Alice! This thread on our discussion forums may be of help. You could also search for other forum discussions by typing key words into the search box. Best of luck with your project!

Barney says: A jolly wag of the tail to you, Pete! I'd like to have asked Enid Blyton if I could go rabbiting with her fox terrier, Bobs!

Barney says: We don't know which of her own books Enid Blyton liked best, Noni, but she said in an interview that her favourite character was George (an adventurous girl who wants to be a boy) from the Famous Five series. When Enid Blyton was a child, she loved the magical atmosphere of The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. Other books she enjoyed as a girl included Lewis Carroll's "Alice" books, Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott and The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne.

Barney says: Yes, that is exciting news!

Barney says: The Enid Blyton Society had nothing to do with Bruno Vincent's books, Robert. You can see what our forum members think of them here.

Barney says: I'm unable to make a copy of the play but I can tell you the title of the book it was in - Enid Blyton's Book of the Year. It's a very entertaining play to perform or watch.

Barney says: It is a shame when little details like that are lost.

Barney says: Enid Blyton probably based Lossie Laxton on the film stars of the day but not necessarily on any particular one - though Deanna Durbin also had an alliterative name and sometimes wore her hair in rolls.

Barney says: The poem your gran remembers is 'The Kind Policeman', Tracey. You can see the poem and publication details here.

Barney says: It isn't available new but I just checked eBay and there are at least three packs for sale second-hand. If you buy the game, I hope your grandchildren have great fun playing it!

Barney says: There are three available on eBay at the moment, Jenny. If you manage to get one I hope your grandson enjoys the game as much as you did.

Barney says: I must say I can't remember Darrell ever setting out to taunt or torment people just for the fun of it. Occasionally she loses her temper and deals out slaps or shoves but she's always horrified with herself afterwards and apologises at the first opportunity. She also takes part in punishing girls who are persistently nasty, e.g. sending Gwendoline to Coventry, but that kind of action is only taken as a last resort. Alicia does seem to get away with being sharp-tongued and hard-hearted though, just because she's lively and clever and plays tricks in lessons.

Barney says: As you can see from our Cave of Books, 'The Tall Daisies' was published in the periodical Child Education in 1925. 'The Very Tall Daisies' also appeared in Autumn Days in 1926, but that might not be the same poem. Early publications like these are hard to find but I hope someone is able to help you, Barry, as it would be lovely if you could include 'The Tall Daisies' in your memoir.

Barney says: Patapouf's Circus is in the Hackett's Little Gift Books series, Joane. The 12 books in that series were originally published in French with illustrations by Pierre Probst, but the author wasn't credited. The "Enid Blyton" versions are translations of the French originals. Whether Enid did the translations or simply agreed to lend her name to the English editions for some reason, no one knows.

Barney says: Five Get Into a Fix was serialised in Enid Blyton's Magazine from July 1957 - May 1958 before being brought out in book form in July 1958, so that would explain the date. If you look in our Cave of Books you can see what the first edition dustwrappers looked like (and boards, in the case of the Famous Five book). However, I'm not certain whether there were any changes for subsequent early editions. If advertising the books for sale online, to avoid any confusion you could include photos of the inside pages showing the dates.

Barney says: Hopefully her stories will help adults recapture that feeling of wonder and joy.

Barney says: The books and characters are still under copyright, Barbara. If writing for publication or public performance you'd need to contact the copyright holders, Hachette UK.

Barney says: Bonjour, Ciade! I worked magic with my paws to translate your message and I hope you're able to translate my reply. The only way to find out whether the sequels are likely to be published in French would be to contact the publisher of the French editions.

Barney says: I'm sure you understand your assignment better than we do but the book is about toys which come to life when nobody is around so the stories appeal to boys and girls - and even to some dogs!

Barney says: The Faraway Tree series is known as "La forêt enchantée" in French but I'm not sure whether the books are currently in print, Phil. You could do an internet search for "La forêt enchantée" and see whether the books come up, either new or second-hand.

Barney says: Reading anything by Enid Blyton will expose a reader to good grammar, natural-sounding speech rhythms and economy of expression. If your brother wants to examine specific things, e.g. how a plot is constructed, The Six Bad Boys would be a good book to choose. Enid Blyton moves between three families as well as sketching in the backgrounds of several other children outside those families, skilfully weaving all their dramas into one narrative. She deals with tough situations and emotional events without becoming too sentimental. The Valley of Adventure would be perfect for studying the construction of an adventure story as it includes pathos, history and some interesting and unusual characters - as well as being a fast-paced, thrilling adventure full of memorable scenes. Look at the descriptions to see how atmosphere is created. Regarding non-fiction, your brother could read Enid Blyton's Nature Lover's Book or Enid Blyton's Animal Lover's Book to see how facts are presented with an air of discovery and excitement, often through children going exploring with an adult who introduces them to the wonders of the natural world. The personal touch helps bring things to life. When it comes to other authors, there are many who write with mastery and succeed in drawing the reader into another world. Has your brother tried Anthony Horowitz, Julia Golding or Sally Gardner? There are also classics like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens or Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Barney says: All children are different but, as a rough guide, I'd suggest Noddy and Mary Mouse for the under 5s. The short stories about characters like Mr. Pink-Whistle or Mr. Meddle, or about fairy-folk or naughty children etc., are perfect for boys and girls aged about 5-8. The Faraway Tree and Wishing-Chair books are great for that age-group as well, and so is The Enid Blyton Book of Brownies. Don't forget the Galliano's Circus and Willow Farm series too. Many readers are ready for the mystery and adventure books around the age of 7 or 8, perhaps starting with the Secret Seven series and moving on to the Famous Five, etc.

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know whether that edition was reprinted. Are any dates given at the front of the book? Some publishers include a lot of detail about different printings and impressions but others (frustratingly) don't.

Barney says: As you're twelve you'd probably enjoy some of the more mature books, Shekina. I'd particularly recommend the Adventure series, the Barney series, The Six Bad Boys and House-at-the-Corner.

Barney says: Enid Blyton wrote so many brilliant books that it's hard to know where to start, Jane! Particularly popular with adults (as well as children) are the Adventure series, the Barney mysteries and the Famous Five. I'd recommend beginning with the Adventure series (The Valley of Adventure and The Sea of Adventure are two of Enid Blyton's most praised books). Some of her novels about family crises also have a lot of adult appeal, especially The Six Bad Boys and the two "Six Cousins" titles. The Naughtiest Girl in the School is also mentioned frequently by readers of all ages as it's an unusual school story about a co-educational school where the children deal with punishments and rewards themselves.

Barney says: Readers will absorb a fair amount of fascinating social history if they approach older books with the understanding that attitudes change over time - as well as enjoying some cracking stories!

Barney says: Enid Blyton was inspired by books she read, people she knew, things she saw and things she did. As a girl she enjoyed making up stories for her younger brothers and found that stories came flooding into her head at night when she lay down to sleep. She was delighted when Arthur Mee printed one of her poems in his magazine. Enid's parents didn't take her writing seriously as they expected her to become a pianist like her aunt, but her schoolfriend's aunt (Mabel Attenborough) encouraged her.

Barney says: It's unlikely that Enid Blyton based many of her characters firmly on specific people, though she may well have thrown certain traits from real-life acquaintances into the mix. As far as the Famous Five are concerned, Enid seems to have put aspects of herself into the character of George as Enid was a feisty, hot-tempered girl with a strong sense of justice. We also learn that Anne collects horse-brasses just like Enid's younger daughter, Imogen. Turning to the Find-Outers books, Enid Blyton told readers that Fatty was based on "a plump, ingenious, very amusing boy" she had once known. You can find out more about real-life influences here.

Barney says: Unfortunately I don't think the Mary Mouse stories have been brought out as a complete collection, Sharon. If you look in the Cave of Books you can see the different editions of the Mary Mouse books that have appeared over the years.

Barney says: I worked magic with my paws to translate your message into English, Chloè! I hope you'll be able to translate my reply if you need to - as well as the information in this link, which will tell you a lot about the way Enid Blyton wrote. Like you, Enid Blyton loved swimming. She used to swim round both piers at Swanage when she went there on holiday (nowadays, Swanage only has one pier).

Barney says: I've just had a look at the annual with the aim of helping you, Caroline, but I'm wondering whether you do have a page missing after all. The Mr Stamp-About story finishes on page 8 (the last few paragraphs are at the top of the right-hand column) and there's a poem on page 9 - 'I Am the Night'. A Brer Rabbit story begins on page 10.

Barney says: Twelve Secret Seven sequels by Evelyne Lallemand were published in French in the 1970s-80s, nine of which were translated into English and published as Knight paperbacks between 1983 and 1987. They're out of print but may still be available second-hand. New sequels by Pamela Butchart are due to be published from July 2018, the first being The Mystery of the Skull. We also have a couple of Secret Seven sequels in our Secret Passage, written by Ilsa Cheeseman and Julie Heginbotham, along with continuation books for other Blyton series. They are available to Society members/Journal subscribers.

Barney says: I'm afraid it's a long time since I read that book and I'd have to do a great deal of digging with my paws to unearth it at the moment! Maybe someone will reply after reading your message.

Barney says: Thanks very much, Pete!

Barney says: I hope someone is able to help, Marie.

Barney says: I thought the 1970s George and the 1990s George were both excellent. George is a complex character and it must be a fabulous part to act. I wouldn't mind taking on the role of Timmy myself!

Barney says: Great post, Stephen! It's lovely that the books continue to bring children and adults (not to mention some dogs!) so much joy.

Barney says: I hope someone is able to identify the book, Jennifer.

Barney says: I hope you get some responses, Courtney. Good luck with your thesis!

Barney says: Enid Blyton's New Testament Bible Plates were produced in the 1950s to accompany her retellings of New Testament Bible Stories. Teachers would put up the relevant poster ("plate") in the classroom so children could look at it while listening to/reading the corresponding story, or while answering questions about it. The illustrator was Elsie Walker. There was also a set of plates for Enid Blyton's Old Testament Bible Stories, produced in the 1940s and illustrated by John Turner. I believe there were 30 plates in each set. The New Testament Plates came out in book form in 1957, published in two volumes, and the Old Testament Plates came out in book form in 1960, also published in two volumes.

Barney says: Blyton-themed events have sometimes been held at Beaconsfield but I don't know whether anything is being planned for next year. We can't blame today's BBC Director General for decisions that were made during Enid Blyton's lifetime! At least the material that is available has now been collected together in the BBC Archives.

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know that story but I hope someone is able to point you in the right direction.

Barney says: Thank you, Jenni. Feedback is always welcome and I know Robert will be pleased to know you're enjoying the story.

Barney says: I'm glad you love the Malory Towers books, Kaw Nga. They're very popular. If you'd said a bit more about what you like about them (e.g. who your favourite character is, and why) it would have made your post more interesting for others to read. Have you also tried the St. Clare's and Naughtiest Girl series?

Barney says: I hope so, Paul.

Barney says: That's sad, Paul. A heartbreaking situation. Enid Blyton would wander off by herself and ask to "go home" to her parents, which must have been a great worry to her loved ones.

Barney says: I'm sorry the pages are out of order in your copy, Elizabeth. It may be a one-off or have come from a faulty batch. Unfortunately, errors of that kind don't tend to increase the value of books. I hope you're still able to read and enjoy the story.

Barney says: Your library sounds very worthwhile. Best of luck for the future!

Barney says: Email addresses don't normally show, Janet, so I've added yours to your message in case anyone can help you. I believe the cassette you want was first released in 1985 - you can see a picture here. If you put the story titles into the search box in the Cave of Books, you can see what book(s) they appeared in.

Barney says: Thank you, Tix. Those editions are big, annual-sized books and Georgina Hargreaves' coloured illustrations are beautiful.

Barney says: Sorry your son got into trouble without realising he was saying anything inappropriate, Catriona. I'm sure Enid Blyton never used words like that in her books though. Her characters normally say something like "Blow!" or "Bother!" Can your son remember where he came across the expression? Maybe he just heard someone say it in the street or park or somewhere.

Barney says: I know Connie only appeared in one book - The Folk of the Faraway Tree - but I can't find a picture like the one you describe online either. I hope someone is able to help. Regarding the book with all the Faraway Tree titles in one, I know there are/have been Faraway Tree omnibuses titled The Faraway Tree Collection, Enid Blyton Collection and The Magic Faraway Tree Collection. If you search for that kind of thing and select "Images", maybe you'll recognise something. Good luck!

Barney says: The copy in the Cave of Books is a first edition, Glenn, so maybe Roman numerals were used for later printings. Or maybe they were used from the beginning for some foreign editions. I hope someone reading this will know for sure.

Barney says: A few of the changes to Blyton books have been made in the interests of "political correctness" but the rest have involved modernising the language. The thought behind that is that young readers will be able to understand the stories more readily. However, many fans would argue that any old-fashioned words and phrases can easily be understood from the context and that it's a shame to give children an edited view of the society of past decades - and to alter the flow and rhythm of Enid Blyton's prose.

Barney says: Thank you, Ness. I'm glad you had such a great time. I believe similar Famous Five-related activities are going on at RHS Wisley in Surrey, also finishing on 3rd September.

Barney says: You're thinking of The Secret Mountain, Brigid, which is the third book in the Secret series. It's a truly thrilling adventure set somewhere in Africa.

Barney says: I've added your email address to your message, Frédérique, in the hope that someone reading this will be able to help. Other series would also be good for that age-group, e.g. the Adventure books and the Barney Mysteries.

Barney says: If Soo means the Purnell editions with illustrations by Edgar Hodges (1986, 1987 or 1988 depending which title is being talked about), the stories are quite heavily abridged. I assume Soo knows they are revised reprints but wants to make use of that particular text.

Barney says: Thanks very much, Pete! That's great!

Barney says: I think the story you remember is 'The Land of Nowhere', Maddie. It appeared in these short story collections.

Barney says: Maybe someone who has a copy of the book will be able to type the poem out for you, Pat. If they send it to me, I'll put it up on the Message Board.

Barney says: Publishing houses often merge or get taken over, so perhaps that's what's happened. I'm afraid I don't know about individual cases.

Barney says: The copyright for everything to do with Noddy is held by DreamWorks Classics. Enid Blyton's books won't be out of copyright until the end of 2038.

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know, Sam, but you could contact the publisher about it. You'll find their contact details here.

Barney says: Email addresses don't normally show in posts, Aminmec, so I've added yours to your message.

Barney says: Yes, a few of them were. Fatty was based on "a plump, ingenious, very amusing boy" whom Enid Blyton once knew, while Claudine was inspired by a Belgian classmate from Enid's own schooldays. Apparently she was "extremely naughty, very daring, not at all truthful, and hated games. She was, as our form-mistress said, 'as artful as a bagful of monkeys,' and yet everyone liked her. She would go to great extremes to 'pay back' a slight, or to return a kindness." Plump, amusing, hot-tempered Mam'zelle in the St. Clare's books was modelled on one of the French mistresses who taught Enid Blyton at school: "She did many of the things she does in the books. She flew into rages, she stamped and wailed aloud at our stupidity. She was terrified of bats, mice, beetles, bees and spiders." The girls played tricks on Mam'zelle and she always fell for them, much to their delight. She was theatrical in her displays of anger but she had a marvellous sense of humour and the girls loved her.

Barney says: Sorry to read that your father has just died. I think some of the Famous Five books from about the 1980s onwards have uncredited covers, though I could be wrong about that. Also, the illustrators of Famous Five annuals, jigsaws and audios often went uncredited. Is it possible that Penelope Nelson was one of the uncredited artists, I wonder? It would be great if someone could help.

Barney says: TV and film companies wishing to stick closely to the original text and language would have to choose carefully - e.g. perhaps The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage rather than The Island of Adventure. Normally a few changes need to be made anyway when adapting a book, as things that work well on the page may not work as well on the screen.

Barney says: No problem, Rachel. I hope all goes well with your dissertation.

Barney says: Best of luck with your dissertation. I've included your email address in your message in the hope that someone will be able to send you the relevant pages. To clarify things, the book title is The Three Golliwogs and it was first published in 1944. The chapters had previously been printed as individual stories in the magazine Sunny Stories, some having been written in the 1930s.

Barney says: Email addresses don't normally show, Jenny, so I've copied yours into your message so people can contact you if they're interested in the book.

Barney says: Thank you, Fiona. If you click on our "Fireside Journal" button (over on the left) and then on the link that says "subscribing", you'll see our postal address.

Barney says: Yes, it's known as the Coronation Bible and was published to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The message from Enid Blyton was printed in every copy.

Barney says: To be honest, I don't actually recall any Soviet villains off the top of my head. There may well be some but they obviously haven't stuck in my mind. The German villains are mainly in the stories with wartime settings (a notable exception being The Castle of Adventure) so the notion of East/West Germany wouldn't have been relevant. There are also crooks with names which appear to be South American, French and Middle Eastern. However, the vast majority of criminals in Blyton books actually have names which sound British - Stan, Jim, Clara, Dick, Maggie, Raymond, Jake and numerous others.

Barney says: It would indeed be terrible to see Kirrin Cottage (together with the island and castle) being sold. I always feel sorry when Craggy Tops and Smuggler's Top are to be sold in The Island of Adventure and Five Go to Smuggler's Top respectively. Such wonderful houses full of character and history, in fantastic locations.

Barney says: It seems that both sides of the family have strong links to the area though!

Barney says: I hope someone is able to help, Tony.

Barney says: Shadow the Sheepdog is a wonderful story, Shruti. In my opinion, Shadow is one of Enid Blyton's bravest, cleverest, most admirable characters! I'm afraid I don't know if the book is likely to be reprinted in the near future but there are plenty of second-hand copies available online so I hope you're able to get hold of one soon.

Barney says: Many readers say a similar thing, Anjali. It's amazing to think of the power that stories have - especially stories by Enid Blyton!

Barney says: Although Enid Blyton died in 1968, her books and characters live on and I'm sure she'd be delighted to know that children around the world continue to love them.

Barney says: Gillian Baverstock wrote two books about her mother - Tell Me About Writers: Enid Blyton and Gillian Baverstock Remembers Enid Blyton. The first is for very young children, containing basic information about Enid and her books. The second covers similar ground but in rather more detail.

Barney says: In Five on a Treasure Island it seems Quentin works independently with few resources and that he hasn't yet become a success. Events at the end of that book no doubt give him the means to conduct more experiments and mingle with other scientists, enabling him to earn more money (in addition to the gold) and make breakthroughs in his work.

Barney says: Well, it's obviously not meant to be like that but it shouldn't make much difference when it comes to reading the book! You could always read it in public and see if people give you puzzled looks!

Barney says: Ah yes - the story you're looking for is actually called 'Two Noisy Children' and the land the children visit at the top of the Faraway Tree is the Land of Sound-Asleep. If you go to our Cave of Books (see button over on the left) and put 'Two Noisy Children' into the search box, you'll see which books contained that story.

Barney says: It tends to be rated highly by people who read it, but many readers of Enid Blyton only know the main series like the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree, Malory Towers, etc.

Barney says: You should be able to find second-hand copies of the original versions online, Steven. Their titles are Holiday House, The Mystery That Never Was, Adventure of the Strange Ruby, Hollow Tree House, The Treasure Hunters and The Boy Next Door. They often come up on sites like eBay, or you could try the sellers we've listed under Lashings of Links (see button over on the left).

Barney says: I think various details have been altered so it's no longer as clear that The Adventurous Four is set during the Second World War. However, part of the plot relies on a gramophone so if that hasn't been changed it will be obvious that the action is set some decades ago.

Barney says: Treading on someone's toe to punish them just doesn't have the same impact!

Barney says: The Flying Goat is listed on the website, Jane. You can see it here. It's one of the Pitkin Pleasure Series and it was first published in 1951.

Barney says: Just about all of Enid Blyton's books have undergone some modernisation but many readers would prefer to have the original text. The St Clare's series was written during the Second World War but it's set in a fictional early 1940s with no war.

Barney says: Unfortunately, only the first 15 Famous Five books were published as anniversary editions. Since then, all 21 books have been released with new covers by Laura Ellen Anderson.

Barney says: Ah yes - I see what you mean, Scot. It's a shame details like that have been changed in the name of modernisation. Readers who read the original text absorb a great deal of fascinating social history while enjoying a cracking story.

Barney says: Thanks, Scot. I'm not sure I understand your question about the Malory Towers and St. Clare's books. Books will go on being reprinted if they're popular - and most of Enid Blyton's certainly are!

Barney says: If you know the origin of the word, it makes sense. An old meaning of "to lash" was "to lavish" or "to give in large quantities". "Lashings of" is related to that.

Barney says: Marjorie Davies, Enid Blyton illustrator, lived to be 101.

Barney says: I doubt the book would have much extra value but you could put it on a site like eBay and see what you get for it.

Barney says: I believe it's a printed message that appeared in all the Bibles, even though it looks handwritten. Nevertheless, it's a nice item to have.

Barney says: Do you mean the Parragon Pocket Library books, Sarah? You may be able to get them second-hand from sites like eBay or Amazon, or from the sellers we list under Lashings of Links (see button over on the left).

Barney says: It probably depends how people want to use the name. Certainly the character of Noddy is still under copyright until the end of 2038. If in doubt, check with DreamWorks Classics who own the Noddy copyright.

Barney says: I hope someone is able to help, Pamela. In the meantime, you could try doing a search in our Cave of Books (see the button over on the left) for words like "birthday" or "party". Maybe something will come up that jogs your memory.

Barney says: We'd certainly like to have a section on TV series, films and cartoons but I'm afraid we haven't yet had time to add one, David.

Barney says: Ah yes - that's 'The Tenth Task' from The Enid Blyton Book of Fairies. Jack is captured by Zani, chief of the wicked spirits, and he will only be released if he can think of a task the spirit cannot perform. Jack's sister Jean pulls a curly hair from her head and tells Jack to command Zani to make it straight.

Barney says: Are you sure it's by Enid Blyton, Sheryl? There's no story of that title listed in the Cave of Books.

Barney says: Enid said her characters' first names came to her instinctively but she had to look up suitable surnames in a telephone directory.

Barney says: There was some discussion of that on our forum if you're interested, Tot.

Barney says: Someone asked about that book before and TG identified it as one of the 'Nursery Colour Picture' books entitled A Day With Noddy. You can see a picture of it here. Copies sometimes turn up on eBay, or you could try the sellers we list under Lashes of Links.

Barney says: Lucky is a fox-terrier, Riley. I'm sure your new dog will be a wonderful companion!

Barney says: If you're looking for that issue of Sunny Stories for Little Folks, Anne, it could be difficult to find. You could try sites like eBay or Amazon - or the sellers we list under Lashings of Links (button over on the left). Alternatively you could search in the Cave of Books to see what books those stories and poems were published in later on.

Barney says: Ah yes - that's Janet mocking Sheila in The Twins at St. Clare's. I expect the phrase will have been altered for modern editions but I think it's a shame to change Enid Blyton's words and lose the insight into the language and attitudes of the time.

Barney says: Good luck with your book, Angela!

Barney says: Yes, it's always a good idea to check out the copyright situation. Angela may well know this already but the contact details for Hachette UK are on their website.

Barney says: Click on our "Cave of Books" button (over on the left) and then scroll down to "Audio Section" and click on that. You'll see a list of all the records, cassettes and CDs that have been produced.

Barney says: I'm afraid there isn't a published collection of correspondence with fans. Letters sometimes come up on eBay or other auction sites and they're usually quite short, with Enid thanking a fan or congratulating them on winning a prize, and letting them know that she's working on another Famous Five (or whatever) book. Enid Blyton appears as a character in Michael Frayn's play Balmoral, set in an alternative 1930s Britain which has undergone a Russian-style revolution.

Barney says: Almost all Enid Blyton books have been edited if you buy them new. Luckily, second-hand copies are readily available. You can find them on eBay and Abebooks, at jumble sales and boot sales, in charity shops and from the sellers we list under Lashings of Links.

Barney says: The Mountain of Adventure could be said to have science fiction elements but it's still an adventure novel. Only the mad king and his cronies really think the anti-gravity wings could work.

Barney says: Some of the stories/chapters were recently included in Christmas Stories, published in 2014. However, that book doesn't have the same feel to it. The original The Christmas Book had lovely illustrations by Treyer Evans and was beautifully set out. It's no longer in print but I'd recommend getting a secondhand copy, Maureen. Copies sometimes come up on eBay or Abebooks, or you could try the sellers listed under our "Lashings of Links" button (over on the left).

Barney says: How about this website?! Click on our "Author of Adventure" and "Cave of Books" buttons (over on the left) and you'll find plenty of information. Regarding the Society, there's always room for new members. The more the merrier as I said to Loretta recently! Click on the "Fireside Journal" button and then on "subscribing" to find out how to join.

Barney says: Thank you for your kind words, Jenni. I know Julie will be delighted that you enjoyed the story so much.

Barney says: Thank you, Kim!

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know of a story with that title, Melissa. Was it definitely by Enid Blyton? Regarding the book title, there are Blyton books called Five-Minute Tales (1933), Five O'Clock Tales (1941) and Best Stories for Five-Year-Olds (1997) but they don't contain a story called 'Don't Cut the Lawn'. I hope someone is able to help.

Barney says: Your email address won't show up in your message, Natalie, so I'll put it here so people can contact you if they're interested: nataliehowes84@gmail.com. You might also like to put a message in the "For Sale" section of our forums. People have to register to join the forums, but registration is free of charge.

Barney says: The more the merrier, Loretta! Click on the "Fireside Journal" button (over on the left) and then on "subscribing" to find out how to join.

Barney says: Sorry to hear that. We dogs are discouraged from eating buns (Google or otherwise) too, but my favourite Blytonian treats are juicy bones, sausages and potted meat. Oh, and I wouldn't mind joining Buster in nipping Goon's ankles!

Barney says: I'd say that Enid Blyton encouraged children to be like dogs - brave, clever, loyal, observant, friendly, forgiving, positive and full of boundless energy! I don't know whether you're a member of our forums, Francesca, but if you joined you could either start a thread on the topic or search for key words like "morals", "lessons" and "wisdom" to see what has already been discussed. If you wish to quote anyone you could contact them via private message.

Barney says: Do you mean the Magic Faraway Tree, Ron? I'm not sure that it was inspired by any particular tree. Enid Blyton loved trees in general and would have known myths and legends about trees such as Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, which connects nine worlds. She probably also knew the Elfin Oak in Kensington Gardens.

Barney says: Thank you for coming back on that, Julie. I barked out a message to my pedigree chum, Fido, about this and you're right that the plates were done for Teachers World in 1935-36, to accompany a 32-part history series written by Enid Blyton. Interesting stuff! You should have received an email from the Society.

Barney says: Ah yes - you're thinking of 'The Little Candy House'. The two sisters are called Rosemary and Rosalind. The story appeared in Enid Blyton's Fireside Tales (Collins, 1966) and several earlier books as you can see here.

Barney says: If you click on our Cave of Books button (on the left) and put "Faraway Tree Colour Reads" into the search box, you'll see the order in which the colour reads were released. From the titles, it seems that they're just random visits to lands - unless something has been added to the first book (The Land of Birthdays) to introduce the tree and the characters.

Barney says: Do you mean the plates for Two Years in the Infant School, Tina? There were 84 altogether and they date from 1938. You can see some of them here. The artwork was by a number of different illustrators, some of whom are identified.

Barney says: Are you a member of our forums, Rosie? If you join you'll be able to search the forums for words like "Beckenham", "Beaconsfield", "Swanage", "Purbeck", "Old Thatch", "Green Hedges", "Seckford Hall" and "Bekonscot". That will bring up several discussions about possible places to visit. It depends how much time you've got and whether you're only able to go to places near London.

Barney says: There may well be, but it all depends on the condition. You could check eBay and Abebooks to see what similar books have sold for.

Barney says: I hope someone is able to help. There's an Aunt Keziah The Three Golliwogs but I don't remember seeing the name Keishia in an Enid Blyton book. If it's from a book by another author, maybe someone will know.

Barney says: I think more people would see your message if you joined our forums and posted under 'For Sale', Sue. If anyone wants to respond to Sue on this Message Board, I'll include your email address in your message so Sue can contact you.

Barney says: I believe that all the stories in The Magic Ice Cream are by Enid Blyton, though sometimes she retold old legends and folk-tales. I haven't read 'The Dirty Little Boy' but our Cave of Books lists the story as "untraced" which means it may have been printed somewhere earlier. There was a story of that title in the magazine Sunny Stories for Little Folks, Issue 244, August 1936. However, I don't know whether it's the same tale as Enid Blyton sometimes used the same title for different stories.

Barney says: I'm not sure I understand the question. Amelia Jane Again! is only one book and the only way to decide whether it's good is to read it! The Amelia Jane books are aimed at young children under the age of seven or so. Nevertheless, some people a lot older than that still enjoy them!

Barney says: I'm glad you chose Enid Blyton for your biography, Chloe. Enid and her brothers knew their parents had split up but their mother asked them to tell people their father was merely away on business. The breakdown of a marriage was considered a scandal in those days and Enid's mother, Theresa, was keen to avoid disgrace and humiliation.

Barney says: If you're interested in people's opinions, why not search our forums for key words like "gender", "roles", "housewife", etc.? There has been a lot of discussion on the issue over the years.

Barney says: I haven't seen the Armada editions but I believe that the title Adventures on Willow Farm was used at one stage as an alternative title for More Adventures on Willow Farm. Don't forget that the series consists of three books, the first being The Children of Cherry Tree Farm.

Barney says: Stink balls (normally called stink bombs) certainly exist, as do/did some of the other tricks Enid Blyton mentions in her school stories - e.g. sneezing powder, fake biscuits, protruding teeth, etc. I don't know about the invisible chalk though! Terry Gustafson once wrote in The Enid Blyton Society Journal about a real catalogue called Ellisdons which advertised tricks and jokes, and which may have inspired Enid Byton. A catalogue of tricks and jokes is mentioned in one of the Malory Towers books.

Barney says: Because the Malory Towers series wouldn't be as interesting if all the characters were perfect! That applies to other books too. Even Bets says in The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters that she doesn't enjoy reading about goody-goody children!

Barney says: That's great, Aleasha! A wuff of thanks to you!

Barney says: I hope someone is able to help. In the meantime, if you visit our Cave of Books and search for words like "Binky", "Binkie" or other terms that may possibly have been in the title, something might come up.

Barney says: A wuff of thanks for the treats, Sunskriti! Pamela Cox's continuation books have been generally well received, but opinions on Anne Digby's have been mixed. Pamela Cox had been a fan of Enid Blyton's school stories since childhood and she decided to write her first two St. Clare's books because she had always wondered about the "missing" years in the series. I think I'm right in saying that Anne Digby didn't know the Naughtiest Girl books well before being commissioned to continue the series and that she was approached by the publishers because her own Trebizon boarding school stories were so popular. If you search for "Pamela Cox" and "Anne Digby" in the forums, you'll be able to read the views of Blyton enthusiasts.

Barney says: I'm afraid we can't give valuations but you could get an idea of what they're worth by looking up similar books on eBay and Abebooks and seeing what they sell for.

Barney says: Publishers often change the illustrations when they think the old ones are beginning to look old-fashioned or they simply want to give the series a fresh look. I think the Dragon paperbacks have the original text if you're talking about the ones from the 1960s and 70s, though I can't be 100% sure. I don't know about the Mammoth editions but maybe someone else can help.

Barney says: Yes, I think the 24 books have the unaltered text if they have a golly on the cover. I don't know whether anyone else reading this knows any different? Don't worry about the books with illustrations by Edgar Hodges. They're the same 24 titles but heavily abridged (or some of the 24 anyway, as I'm not sure whether all of them were released in that format).

Barney says: If they have a golly on the cover I think the text would be the same as the original, Aminmec. The ones with illustrations by Edgar Hodges (squarish books dating from the mid to late 80s) are heavily abridged.

Barney says: That sounds exciting, J. Percival. A memory to treasure! I wonder if you've ever thought of writing an article about your meeting with Enid Blyton for our thrice-yearly Journal? I'm sure readers would love to hear all about it. It's up to you, of course, but if you'd like to write something please get in touch (see "Contact Us" at the top of this page).

Barney says: The phrase is mentioned in quite a few Enid Blyton books, Mark. I can't remember exactly which ones but I can tell you that it appears in the poem 'The Yellowhammer' which begins: "OH, little yellowhammer,/Do tell me why you clamour/For a little bit of bread and no cheese!" (originally published in Teachers World No.1469, July 22nd, 1931). Enid Blyton didn't coin the phrase. It's mentioned in books by other authors including The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes by Beatrix Potter (1911). Beatrix Potter writes of birds twittering: "And another sang - "Little bita bread and - no - cheese!"

Barney says: A wuff of good luck to you, Anjana! I hope you're able to open up your library.

Barney says: It's quite common for UK publishers to use printing firms in other countries. I've just checked a 1993 copy of Five Minute Tales published by Dean and it says, "Printed in Italy". The Enid Blyton Dossier by Brian Stewart and Tony Summerfield (Hawk Books, 1999) was printed in Spain.

Barney says: If it's just a question of building up a collection of Enid Blyton books for people to borrow I'm sure that'll be fine, Anjana. However, if you want to do things like use Enid Blyton's signature, paint Blyton characters on the walls and hold Blyton-themed activity days it would be worth checking with the copyright holders first. Hachette UK own the Enid Blyton copyright (except for Noddy). Here are their contact details. For anything related to Noddy, look for contact details on the DreamWorks Classics website (they own the copyright for Noddy).

Barney says: The story is 'Mister Meddle Makes a Mistake' from Mr. Meddle's Muddles. It was first published in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories in March 1940, when the blackout was in force because of the Second World War. That's why the streets were "very dark" with "no lamps lighted", as stated in the story.

Barney says: Click on our "Author of Adventure" button (up above, over on the left) if you want to know about Enid Blyton's life, Avantika. For information about her main books, click on the "Popular Series" buttons (just above these messages).

Barney says: I think you're right that The Famous Five's Survival Guide is no longer in print, which is a pity. Second-hand copies in good condition sometimes come up on eBay or Amazon, and some sellers will post worldwide. You could also check equivalent Australian sites. If buying second-hand, check with the seller that the book still has the cardboard codebreaker. You can see what it looks like here, below the big image of the cover. Hope you manage to get a copy in time for your son's birthday!

Barney says: That's very interesting, Adrian. How lovely to discover that a house you lived in was once the home of Enid Blyton! Enid and her family lived at 95, Chaffinch Road from 1897 to 1903 and the house now has a blue plaque to commemorate the fact. I'm glad to know that your grandson loves reading!

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know of any current clubs or badges, Lynne. Sorry about that. If you're talking about a Famous Five badge, second-hand ones come up quite frequently on eBay so you could get one there. Alternatively, I've heard that there are websites which will make you a badge if you send them the design you want. Searching for "make a badge" will bring them up. I hope your granddaughter has a lovely birthday.

Barney says: Enid Blyton would have been interested to know that you play so many instruments, Miss JJ! She was a talented musician and her father wanted her to become a concert pianist. Enid Blyton had a place at the Guildhall School of Music but she turned it down to train as a teacher (she was a teacher for a few years before writing full-time). As a child, Enid Blyton used to like going for nature walks and bike rides which probably felt like going on an adventure. You can find out more about her life by clicking on our "Author of Adventure" button (over to the left of this page) and then on 'A Biography of Enid Blyton—The Story of Her Life'.

Barney says: Enid Blyton's books will remain in copyright until the end of 2038.

Barney says: It's a shame the illustrations have been removed. Publishers sometimes do that because they want to keep to a certain number of pages, or because they feel that the pictures look old-fashioned.

Barney says: Eh? If you mean "Enid Blyton" and "Blyton village", Barbara Stoney says in Enid Blyton - the Biography: "Enid Blyton's early forebears are believed to have come over to England at the time of the Norman Conquest and to have settled in Lincolnshire, where the name appears under various spellings in many of the early chronicles for that county. There is a village called Blyton in the Lincolnshire Wolds and a chantry was founded in Lincoln Cathedral in 1327, apparently bequeathed by a de Bliton who was the mayor of the city four years earlier. For several centuries the family were concerned with farming or the wool and cloth trade - but George Blyton, Enid's great-grandfather, was a cordwainer." Barbara Stoney goes on to mention that George Blyton lived in Swinderby.

Barney says: It seems that the poem is by Hugh Chesterman and was published in The New Merry-go-round Volume 6, 1928 and A Bulletin for Schools Volume 30, 1936. Click on this link to find out more.

Barney says: I'm glad you still enjoy the books as much as ever, Rina. Enid Blyton would be surprised to know how many adults around the world still love her wonderful stories and characters!

Barney says: Happy Reading to you and your daughter, Maria!

Barney says: I'm afraid I don't know.

Barney says: Happy New Year! Continuation books by Pamela Cox already exist for those series. However, if you'd still like to try you'll need to contact Hachette UK as they own the Enid Blyton copyright. Here are their contact details.