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How often does Enid make reference to popular culture? Not politicians/royalty like Winston Churchill and George VI.

I wondered about that as well, David [story query, December 21]. I read that story as a young boy and I loved it!

I heard someone at university many years ago dramatically repeating a line that one of the characters said in one of the Famous Five books. Please fill in 'the blank' if such a line in the book exists. It goes something like this: "'Blank!' said Julian and he meant it." Perhaps it was one of the other characters, but please let me know what it was if possible.

What book has the story of the bossy boy who got a job in a garden?

Does anyone have a shabby copy of The Christmas Story that I could buy for not quite as much as the ones online? My grandmother sent us a copy in the 40s when we lived in Argentina and now we can't find it, though we still had it a few years ago. It was so helpful explaining things in another hemisphere, the whole history of Xmas and what people did, and now the youngest grandchildren don't know much about it.

With reference to Enid Blyton, what are ‘patrins’?

Does Enid ever go into anything overtly religious in her stories?

There were naughty goblins (?) who made a princess disappear through a conjuring trick and then couldn't get her back. They were ordered to find her - I think they were somehow reformed through the quest... Anyone know the title?

I have a copy of The Child Who Was Chosen. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about it as I can't find much on the net.

I have just bought my daughter 'The Haunted Railway Game' for Christmas but it came without the adventure equipment - does anyone know where I can buy this from please?

I'm thinking of those of our young friends who may be going to have a tough Christmas. I had to spend one Christmas Eve in hospital when I was eight and I know Enid would have cared about such sick children.

I'm trying to identify and locate a Tiny Tots book from the 1940s, which had several contributors including Enid Blyton. Her story as I recall had to do with fairies at the bottom of a child's garden. It was a hardcover book, with a couple of tots on the cover, about 3 years old.

I’m trying to remember the title of a story by Enid Blyton that was about a boy who rode his homemade kart down a Brae/steep hill. The title of the story and the name of the book it appears in would be welcome.

Hi, I used to have a book by Enid Blyton about a brother and sister going to stay with their uncle and aunty - I can't remember any names - and they taught them all about nature (I think the children came from the city). Do you have any idea what this book was called? Thanks, Kate.

If I were Enid Blyton and were writing a story about a girl with dirty, unkempt hair, wouldn't it make more sense to make the girl's hair REALLY long so it gets in her way and causes trouble that way? It's hard to teach a girl a lesson about unkempt hair if she's bald - making her bald only makes sense if she's stuck-up and loves her hair too much.

Hello, can anyone give me the names of the following stories please and the book collection they would be in? 1. A story about an untidy little girl who had fairies at the bottom of her garden that made her bald. 2. A story about passing on good deeds that came back to a little boy who started it by picking an old woman's apples up. 3. A story about collecting leaves for a day of good luck. Someone collected 365 for someone in it I think... Thank you in advance! X

I would like to know which book has the stories 'The Children That Didn't Want to Go to Bed' and 'The Magic Duster' or 'The Magic Polish'. Thank you.

Is it possible to communicate with someone who could guide me towards copyright permission being granted for a braille with tactile cues book about Noddy and Bumpy Dog? The tactile cues for Noddy and the team were created some time ago by a volunteer book maker as samples of tactile cues. These cues would create a wonderful Noddy book for the blind and visually impaired children on our roll. I would really appreciate contact so I could further explain our situation to see if this is possible.

Six weeks until Christmas. Are there any Blyton Christmas tales you can recommend to our young friends?

I'm buying some classic literature for my granddaughter and, of course, want to include some Enid Blyton. I thought the Faraway Tree collection (4?) was a good choice. Can anyone recommend a good published set preferably in hardback and with good illustrations? I'm thinking of anything up to about £30 for the 4 - so not first editions!!

Looking for a poem called 'The Plug-hole Man' - "I know you're down there plug-hole man in the dark so utter." I know someone asked before but I can't seem to find the thread.

I have over 60 books in excellent condition. How can I find out how much they are worth etc. and who will buy them? They are all Enid Blyton books, e.g. The Book of Brownies, Bimbo and Topsy, Don't Be Silly Mr. Twiddle!, The Wishing-Chair Again, etc.

Trying to find an audio series of the Famous Five that I loved as a child, not read by Jan Francis. Favourite one was Five Fall Into Adventure. Please help!

I have inherited a plastic Big Ears egg cup with original hat and box. Can you tell me anything about it please? Age/where they were available from/possible value/how to find a new appreciative owner? Thanks, Sue.

Hi, I'm trying to find a story about a little girl who was left coal by Santa. Can anyone help?

Thanks Barney. Yes, these characters appear on YouTube, in the French version anyway. This could well be the Canadian/American TV show you mention. It was produced by Byron Vaughns. Here is an example. Glad to have anyone's guidance on this topic! Bye for now...

Hi, I am wondering if anyone out there can help me. I read many Noddy books to my children when they were young (in French, he's called Oui-Oui). While looking at an animated TV version (the one made in Vancouver), I noticed there are some characters in two dimensions like playing cards. Can anyone tell me if these characters are found in the original books, and if so, what their names are, at least in English? Merci!

Hi, I just wanted to know if you have any older copies of The Naughtiest Girl?

When my girls were little, they read the Malory Towers series in Spanish. Is the series still available in Spanish?

Thanks, Barney. Catch your bone!

Hi, I would just like to know how long it takes for accounts to be activated, since I created mine 2 days ago, and it's still not letting me log in?

While going through some old boxes in my attic I came across an enamel badge in the shape of a shield. It is wine coloured with a gold coloured rim and gold writing consisting of Enid Blyton's signature with "Magazine" and "Club" between two lines. I enjoyed Enid Blyton in the 50s and my parents would have enrolled me in the above club. Can anyone please shed more light on the badge? Many Thanks, S Craig.

What land at the top of the Faraway Tree would you like to live in, Barney? For me, The Land of Birthdays. Shame there wasn't a Land of Christmas. British Christmas, of course. Wouldn't want to live in a land of Australian Christmas where it's constantly a summer scorcher.

I remember as a child a short story about a boy who wanted to eat treacle sponge and nothing else, so his mum made him eat it for breakfast, lunch and tea! I’m sure it was by Enid Blyton but I can’t remember the name of the story or which book it was in. Can you help please, Barney?

Enid Blyton stories are some of the most wonderful childhood memories for so many of us :) She taught us that reading is a beautiful habit and that no problem is bigger than its solution. Being an only child, I had a hard time handling the loneliness associated with it. Her books were my best friends back then. A friendship that can be truly cherished for one whole lifetime. She literally created a parallel world for so many of us with her beautiful writing! My personal favourites - the Adventure series (Kiki was theeee best!!), The Naughtiest Girl series (I remember being happy that Elizabeth was as naughty as I was back then :) and it gave me a good reason to justify being so), Malory Towers and St. Clare's! Hats off to one of the evergreen authors of all time :) And boy, am I glad to bump into this site dedicated to this wonderful personality! Thank you so much. :)

Have there been any musicals done using Enid's stories?

Enid gets tarred as "racist" but the fine work in unearthing her 1950s magazines where she welcomes letters from children all over the Empire, and wants to see them playing together like the UN, disproves that. Her "Gollies aren't Negroes" response to the black civil rights activists is more innocent and confused than malicious. Enough racist stuff happened in Merry Old England without people making stuff up.

I am looking for the Enid Blyton book with the stories 'The Children that Didn't Want to Go to Bed' and 'The Magic Polish'. Thank you. Xx

I have a 1963 Dean and Son copy of Chimney Corner Stories that has the original hardback cover and design, but the pages have been inserted upside down and back to front. This was an error during publishing. Is there any value to it?

If Enid Blyton had taken off in the USA, you have to wonder if the Americans would've liked Sadie (St. Clare's) and Zerelda (Malory Towers)?

I have 4 Sunny Stories by Enid Blyton - 'Hey There, Come Back! & Other Tales', 'You Make Me Laugh, Brer Rabbit & Other Tales', 'Mr. Squiggle & Other Tales' and 'Foxglove Magic & Other Tales'. They were found in a box with other magazines from an 1885 cottage belonging to the previous owner's family. The previous owner was 93 when the house was sold. Would there be any interest in these small books?

I'd love to purchase the Enchanted Wood series from your store. Please inform me if the book contains illustrations or pictures in color. I want to buy them for Christmas for children.

Hello, regarding the book The Adventurous Four, reprint 7, 1986 Beaver, illustrations by Trevor Parkin, cover uncredited, the cover illustrator is Josep Maria Miralles. Looking at The Adventurous Four Again, reprint 7, 1986 Beaver, illustrations by Trevor Parkin, cover uncredited, the cover illustrator is also Josep Maria Miralles. Regards.

In book 20 of the Famous Five series, how come George now only lives a bike ride away from her cousins? I always thought they lived in London as per book 1.

Hi Barney, I want to know whether Dinah Mannering in the Adventure Series is a tomboy character?

In 1955 I wrote to Enid Blyton and received a postcard picture of the Famous Five from her, with a handwritten thank you to me. Stupidly 10 years later, no longer a child, I gave it away. Does anyone have it?...As I would love to see it again if possible. Edwin Self, now a children's librarian in Sheffield.

Good morning. I have been trying to obtain The Faraway Tree Card Game. Do you know if it is still available to purchase? If you could possibly give me any information I would be very grateful. I used to read the Faraway Tree stories to my children who are now in their 30s and 40s and our son is now reading the same book to our grandchildren. It would be wonderful to obtain the game. Also, do you know of any Faraway Tree posters that may be available? Regards, Val.

Will I get future information via email, i.e. future passwords please?

Hi Barney, can you please help me to find out tomboy characters in Blyton's series?

I am a huge Enid Blyton fan and I love her books so much. I read them every day and my favourite series is the Famous Five. Enid Blyton made me become the best reader in school and inspired me to be a writer.

I am looking for a story which my grandmother used to read to me. From my research so far, I think it might be the story 'Foxglove Fairies' on page 130 in Enid Blyton's Seventh Bedside Book (not Seventh Bedtime Book). The story I am searching for involves fairies hiding their dancing shoes inside the foxgloves. Does anyone have a copy of this story in order to confirm whether or not this is the story and book I am searching for please?

Blyton's authorial approval of bullying and cruelty as a way of making wayward children conform makes one seriously wonder if she was bossy or a bully in her own school days? Contrast Blyton's positive use of bullying in her stories with Roald Dahl or C. S. Lewis, both of whom were seriously bullied in school and remained so haunted by it in adulthood that they fought society's acceptance of bullying in their fiction.

The one instance I find most cruel and hurtful in the whole Malory Towers series is when the whole group of them set out to prick Maureen's conceit in In the Fifth at Malory Towers. They invite her to show them her work for the pantomime, and then laugh at her efforts as if she had deliberately made them comical. Poor silly Maureen, to be so humiliated! "Cruel to be kind", they call it.

As a teacher, I am looking to pass on some of my childhood favourites. I remember having a book of short stories of Enid Blyton. This would have been in the late 80s/early 90s. I remember it being red and shiny, with a picture on the front cover. I'm sure it had the story "The Girl who Found Sixpence" in it. Do you have any idea what book this might be? A later edition perhaps?

Where did Enid Blyton get her ideas from?

Last night I found a couple of Enid Blyton's books (translated beautifully to Spanish) which I bought in Madrid 50 years ago. She deserves to be popularized again. Thank you for keeping her works alive, like those of America's Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Does anyone know what Enid's view on pacifism was?

Looking for the poem 'The Land of Nod'.

Hey, could you suggest to me some adventure books by Enid Blyton? I have read the Adventure series and the Riddle series. They're awesome. I am 13 years old.

Thanks! Just the answer I wanted. I also have the continuing stories of Malory Towers, so have a lot of reading to do!

I am just 54, and wondering if I am too old to read the 'Wishing-Chair' series again?? :-)

Seeing the much despised "might of" in my morning paper reminds me of Janet blowing her stack over Sheila and "didn't ought to".

How come the remaining Famous Five books written by Claude Voilier were never translated/published in the UK?

At what age group is the Wishing-Chair collection aimed?

Did Enid ever talk about diabetes in any of her stories or magazines? As a person with diabetes, I'm curious.

I have in my possession a Bible which inside the front cover reads, "To Elizabeth Davison", then has written underneath, "Here is the greatest book in the world. I hope you will read it every day. Love from your friend Enid Blyton". Is it of value?

Australia's copyright laws were extended from life + 50 to life + 70 but weren't retrospective - if the author died before January 1 1955, they are in the public domain in Australia. For example, George Orwell is in the public domain in Australia but is under copyright in the USA until the end of 2044.

An interesting question Barney, I would imagine a country's copyright law would apply irrespective of where an author comes from, but I'm no expert on copyright law! As most of Enid's texts have been updated I also wondered if that makes any difference?

According to the Government of Canada Intellectual Property website, copyright lasts for the life of the author, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author dies and for 50 years following the end of that calendar year. Therefore protection will expire on 31st December on the 50th year after the death of that author. (In the UK copyright lasts for 70 years after the author's death). There may be exceptions of course, it will be interesting to see what happens, but even if Enid Blyton's works pass into the public domain in Canada, they will remain in copyright in the UK.

Hello, I'm wondering until when Enid Blyton's books are protected by copyright in Canada? It'll be a great help for my research.

Hi Barney, I am looking for a book I owned in my childhood. It was a collection of stories but I remember the title was about a pony. It could have been called Star as I remember that word vaguely. Any help?

Thanks Barney, I got my book. I am surprised though about the violence in it. Yah-Boo ends up being left in a dustbin.

Thank you, Barney. With your information I was able to order my book and am awaiting delivery in a day or two. This means a lot to me. I owe you, lol.

Hello Barney. I am wondering why most of the 101 titles in the 1988-1991ish Dean Rewards versions have the name DEAN on the spine, but others don't - book numbers 53,55,56,57,58,59,61,63 and 64 don't have the name DEAN on the spine. (I thought it may have to do with who they were published by, but that doesn't appear to be the case). Can you shed light on this please? Woofy thanks :)

Do any stories mention or revolve around a cricket match or cricket?

Hello Barney! I have been wanting to read the Adventure series of books for quite a while now, but I haven't been lucky enough to get hold of copies with the original text. Now I am willing to make do with editions with slightly altered text. Please suggest which ones would be safe to buy....

Thank you for the information, Barney. Any idea where I can buy this? I appreciate your help.

My friend is looking for a book with a character called Yahoo (brownie or goblin?) May be just part of the story. Something about being blown by wind? Help, please. Thanks.

I am searching for one particular story but I don't know which Enid Blyton book it's in. It was read to me every night nearly 70 years ago when I was a child. It's about Yahoo and he has a quarrel with the wind so the wind keeps shouting out things about him - Yahoo has a hole in his vest, or Yahoo hasn't washed behind his ears. Even if you don't have it, if you know which book it's in please tell me.

Hi all, was 'Interfering Ina' in just one book of stories or others as well? I'm trying to find the book I loved as a child for my grandchildren.

Does porridge show up in the stories? My grandfather had salt on his. :)

Possibly thinking of Sylvie & Bruno by Lewis Carroll....?

Hi, I am trying to remember the title of my favourite collection of stories as a child. It was published in the 1940s, possibly earlier, and included a story by Enid Blyton about (I think) a fairy called Bruno and his friend, who was possibly called Sylvia. The book included stories by other authors, including a story about a poor child getting a Christmas tree and a version of the Nutcracker. Can anyone help with this, please? I would love to get hold of another copy. I am so sad that it got lost in a house move around a decade ago. Many thanks.

For my son's school project on Enid Blyton, I need to know which literary awards were won by her and for what works. Can anyone help please? Thanks and regards.

I have a collection of 12 VHS tapes of Famous Five episodes - with various casts and some repeat titles. In addition I have 9 Enid Blyton Adventure Series VHS tapes (ditto). All 21 covers, tapes (and their plastic cassette boxes) are in very reasonable (and playable) condition. I live in Perth, Western Australia - I will part with these and package them up to mail if a collector sees them as valuable to them. I have bought the 4-DVD set of 'Complete Series' of Famous Five to (partly) replace them.

I have been trying to find the Enid Blyton Famous Five Adventure Game books that came in a plastic pocket with a code breaker, binoculars, dice, map, etc. Does anyone have them to make a copy of the pieces? Thanks. Linda.

I have recently purchased the 'Secret' series of books. Do you know why The Secret Mountain is no longer printed? I can't remember the story from my childhood but am disappointed that there are only four books and not five.

Is there a story called 'The Torn Wings', or which is about a fairy with torn wings? It may be a short story from an annual of the 1950s. Can't find it anywhere. Many thanks. Steve.

The 1978 Knight paperback editions of 'The Secret Seven' depict what looks like a TV series but I cannot find information on this. Was there a series, or just artfully posed images?

Darrell and George are Blyton's most obvious self-insert characters. There's a desire in her story writing to be upper-middle-class which is interesting from a woman who was born above a shop.

Just going by her vocabulary in the first chapter of First Term at Malory Towers, Darrell seems a million years older than the senior students. "Gracious!".

I don't remember whether this half-remembered story from my childhood was written by Enid Blyton and I would love to know. It's about a king of the elves, I think, who offers the hand of his beautiful daughter to the one who can show him something that no-one has ever seen before. There are lots of suitors but, of course, everything has been seen by someone. The winner presents a nut and tells the king to open it. There, inside, is the kernel of the nut which no eye has ever seen before. Does anyone remember this story?

Sorry, for butting in, but I didn't grow up in Britain and thus never had the chance to read this lady's writings. All other Google searches did not result (surprising) in an answer, so I hope you won't be insulted by my asking . . . What does it mean when someone says "It's not all Enid Blyton"? I was able to find the Sir Garnet expression when it came up in Downton Abbey, but this one has me flummoxed. I could guess, but I wouldn't want to get it wrong. It was all Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie when I was young, several decades ago, :-). Many thanks.

Could you tell me who illustrated the coloured plates in The Eleventh Holiday Book? Thank you.

I know it's edited in reprints so as to not upset the children of bin men but Janet's caustic take-down of Sheila in The Twins at St. Clare's was much more effective in the original (paraphrased here) "you go on about your horses and cars... and then you talk like the daughter of the dustman!"

I am a great admirer of original Faraway Tree illustrator Dorothy Wheeler. It's very hard to get any information on her, only some slight biographical details. I'd love to buy an original Wheeler Faraway Tree drawing, but I never see them up for sale anywhere. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks!

Hi, The book about Susan sounds like it might be one of the series by Jane Shaw. Two of these are set in a boarding school, which is in England, but Susan is Scottish. They are Susan at School and Susan's Trying Term.

Wonder if anyone can help please. I had a treasured book years ago which I would love to read again. I am sure it was an Enid Blyton book. It was about a girl called Susan who went to a boarding school. Either the school was in Scotland or she was Scottish. The name Susan was on the title I'm sure. Please can anyone shed light on this?

Hi Barney! I wanted to know if the Malory Towers and St Clare's books (the editions from around 2000-2005) have been edited as severely as other series?

I have a handwritten postcard from Enid Blyton sent in 1957. Would anyone be interested in purchasing it? Email: hilarysaid@telkomsa.net

What do you think of the claim that Enid Blyton had Asperger's or some other form of high-functioning autism, given she didn't seem to care about the people she hurt (Hugh, her own mother, etc.)?

When I was in primary school there was a lovely book in the school library by Enid Blyton about a girl who finds a baby left behind, I think by a gypsy, and she looks after her. I can't remember much more but I used to re-hire the book regularly. If it rings a bell with anyone, please tell me the name of the book so I can try and find it for my daughter. Thanks.

Hello, wonder if you can help. When my daughter was young she had a book of Enid Blyton bedtime stories, I believe. It had a story in about Mr Tiles which she had lots of pleasure from. Sadly we no longer have the book or can trace the book. She now has young children of her own and would dearly like to share this story with them, as her memories of it are very happy. Can you help me track it down? Kind Regards, Hazel Worrall.

Hi, I'm desperately trying to find a book that my mum used to read to me as a child. It was a large Enid Blyton book with different stories in. The three stories I remember are: 'Johnny Come at Once', then one story about a ship called Sea-Foam (which the little boy made), and I think there was one called 'It was the Wind'. I'd be grateful if you know the name of the book. Thanks.

Connie (in The Folk of the Faraway Tree) having her voice removed for spying and then being told she will lose it again, this time forever, if she ever blabs the secret, leaves an icy finger on the back of the neck.

Can I read an Enid Blyton book online?

Is there an Enid Blyton book which is called either Fireside Journal or Fireside Tales which features the stories of Yah Boo and the east wind and Brownie Biddle's boots, issued between 1947 and 1952?

Hi, I am trying to locate an Enid Blyton book which has the story of Peter and the Easter egg. It was in a book with other stories. I have tried to find it but have been unable. I used to read it as a child in the 60s. I would appreciate your help. Many Thanks, Alison.

About Quentin, why do we need to diagnose him with a neurological disease in order to explain his actions? People can be "odd" without being mentally ill. Think Hyacinth Bucket and Basil Fawlty.

Famous Five Kirrin Island Treasure Quest Board Game, Whitman 1978. Rules inside board lid. Large sheet map 28 1/2” x 28 1/2” (5 1/4” and 1 1/4” tears), compass spinner and 2 packs cards. Playing pieces: 4 boats, counters in 4 colours, treasure (4 diamonds, 4 pearls, 4 rubies, 3 out of 4 barrels and 3 out of 4 gold bars). Otherwise complete and in very good condition. £30 plus £5.80 postage. Email: johnghafur@hotmail.co.uk

I believe uncle had Asperger syndrome because of the way he acted and did not like to be disturbed etc.

On April 20, 2018 Carl enquired about a story that deals with daffodil polishing. The theme is a familiar one because Enid Blyton wrote several tales in which nature facts were given a slightly different explanation as to their origin. The Adventures of Pip is a good example. 'The Yellow Trumpets' featured a couple of elves who manufactured such instruments, but they fell foul of the Fairyland inhabitants when they made them too loud. Afraid they'd have their instruments taken from them, the elves went to a field and hid them in the flourishing daffodils. However, they were discovered and the fairies decided the miscreants should continue making trumpets for all daffodils from that day on. There must be a story or two somewhere in the numerous 'Dean' or whatever books about flower petals being polished, but the only one found (to date) is where Peronel gets so carried away with his love of polishing that he ends up being cast from the King of Fairyland's palace for overindulgence. Now he polishes the insides of buttercups (not daffodils) and you only have to look inside to see how beautifully he works ('Peronel's Polish', originally published in The Teacher's Treasury Vol. 1).

What is your favorite book that Enid Blyton has written?

My 24-year-old son has just remembered a beloved story based around an elf whose job was to polish daffodil trumpets. I have a recollection of this but cannot find the collection. Would be very grateful for any memories of this.

Do the square-shaped yellow colour Noddy books with the same titles as the original 24 books have exactly the same contents as the vintage books, or do they have alterations?

It is marked in book 6 or 7 of the Secret Seven that Jack went to church on Sunday but I'm not sure. Thanks for the answer because I need it in my story as they had an adventure over the weekend.

Was religion really mentioned in Enid's stories? You'd think she'd avoid mention of Christianity given she had readers of all faiths and no faith across the British Empire.

Dear Barney, can you please tell me that the Secret Seven went to church on Saturday or Sunday as I need to write it in my book?

Wonderful to find a site dedicated to dear Enid Blyton. She kept me happy and entertained throughout childhood, teens and into my 20s. I especially loved the Adventure series. I saved my pocket money and had a full set which I read and reread. Dear Enid.

Did Enid have any pets? If so what and what were they called?

Knowing about Susie and Binkie [Secret Seven series] helped me in a radio quiz some years back. Wonder how many Blyton questions have featured in UK radio quizzes?

Hi, Would just like to say how fantastic this site is! I have been looking at the Teachers World entries and am amazed at all the scans there are. I would just like to ask - is that now complete and how did you choose what to scan and what to leave out?

Does anyone know how I can get hold of the drama audio cassettes of the Five Find-Outers, please?

Hi Barney. I wanted to ask something about the Secret and Adventure series of books. Are there recent editions of them with the original text unaltered? Amazon mentions the Pan McMillan edition as complete and unabridged.

There's a reminder on the news for our young friends to please not feed your chocolate eggs to your dog as it can poison them.

Hello - does anyone have a video or DVD of the 1957 film Noddy in Toyland or could they possibly let me know if anyone can screen the film for me (possibly for a fee)? I am very, very eager to get to see this for research purposes. Thanks. AG

Hello Barney, I am publishing my old diary and mention a couple of Enid Blyton books that I read that year. Would love to be able to upload images of the book covers alongside the diary mentions. Would it be a case of me purchasing the old books from eBay and taking photographs of the cover? Would that be legal? Or is there a way I could buy some book cover images through this site? Thanking you in advance for your help.

Happy Easter Week, Barney and visitors to the Enid Blyton Society.

Can you contact 'Hachette Children's UK' for me because I'm not getting the website? I'm writing the seventh chapter of my book and I will soon complete it and email you the story.

Hey Barney. Long time no see! Congrats old dog on ten years of handling messages on this board. Gods, I still remember my first message back in 2012. Enid Blyton was such a huge part of my life back then. It's faded now, but it's still there. I have to return to Enid Blyton. I have forgotten almost all of the Famous Five books!

Percival Peeps is Mabel Lucie Attwell... xx

Hi. Looking for the title of the book containing the story of Percival Peeps who wanted so much a fairy for keeps.

How old would Enid Blyton be today?

If I could fantasy cast a Blyton adaption with any actor living or dead, I would cast Cary Grant as Bill Smugs and (young) Hayley Mills as George Kirrin. Your thoughts and suggestions, Barney?

Mam, I'm writing a book on the Secret Seven and I need your permission to publish the book of your characters.

What a relief. Thanks!

Do the three vintage Dean books of Amelia Jane and the recent Good Idea, Amelia Jane! complete all the Amelia Jane stories ever? What about the Mammoth title Amelia Jane Gets Into Trouble? Does it have stories from these four or totally something else?

Our grandson asked, "Do they ring bells if there is an escaped prisoner? Because Enid Blyton said that they ring bells if there is an escaped prisoner in the countryside. This is in Book 10." Could you please answer if this happens in the UK as we are not from there.

What do you think about Famous Five books that have been altered so the boys help do the washing-up and bed-making? I'm surprised they didn't do that for either TV series. You'd think the 1990s series would've been all over it?

Hello everyone, I am looking for advice and guidance. I am in desperate need to find out the title of a book/collection of stories. I believe it is called The Magic Soap. For many years I thought it was a story from a collection of books by St Michael. The reason I am desperate is this. My wife's father used to read this story to her when she was a small girl. He passed away a few years ago and I would love to have a copy for her to open on her birthday next month. It would be a present from our 4 year old daughter. Thanks in advance for any pointers or help. John

HI BARNEY old pal! A late Happy New Year! You sure must be growing into a delightful old doggo. Never change, please! It's so weird because no matter how far deep I venture into the literary world, I always come back to my roots, Enid Blyton. Just today I was reading her short story book The Walkaway Shoes. I love going through the words and the illustrations of books I read years ago. It has been half of a whole century, but the Enid Blyton books and the power of her writing never loses its magic! It's wonderful, really! I hope her enchantment continues to grip little kids, adults, and teenagers likewise because everyone deserves to read her writing. :D I am sure that I, at least, will never think twice about passing down her books to my kids, and their kids too! Enid Blyton holds an irreplaceable part of my childhood and heart. Thank you so, so much, for continuing to work to maintain her legacy throughout your busy days when I'm sure you have a thousand squirrels you would rather be chasing. All the love to my old friend Barney, -Ana. Cheers!

I don't often post on the Message Board but I've had quite a few messages recently which I haven't been able to approve because people haven't given their email address. You must include your email address if you want your message to appear on the board. Also, it seems much more friendly if you use a name (it doesn't have to be your real name) rather than putting "Anonymous". Grrr - I'm being asked to "verify I'm human" in order to post this! Luckily, the verification involves doing a sum and I'm good at those - rather like Jimmy's dog, Lucky, in the Galliano's Circus series! A wuff of greeting to you all!

On Feb. 25th, 2018, Janet Young wrote for information concerning the original book featuring 'A Coat for the Snowman.' Like most short tales it actually appeared in an old Sunny Stories magazine back in 1945 and might be difficult to find. However the reprint several years later in Enid Blyton's Third Bedside Book should be hunt downable and searching through a purported fifty million available books reveals this to be so. 'Paying whatever' (for the book???) might cover copies priced at over £100 but one can take advantage of the cheaper listings that range down to about £20. There are also several on auction. The prices of many older Enid Blyton books have shot up although, if it weren't for the Internet, they'd undoubtedly be much higher. For those who know nothing about the tale in question it stars old Mrs. White who's a little averse to children. When she sees Micky, Katie, Olive, Peter and Will playing near her house after a recent snowfall she's bothered by the noise. The children build a snowman, naturally, and although a hat and scarf are found for him Olive thinks he needs a coat due to the cold weather (I have news for Olive). A comparison of pictures shows the Sunny Stories version contains only three so it'd be more fitting to purchase the book which not only has seven illustrations but also accommodates many more stories. The 'Bedside' series has some excellent tales plus generally acceptable pictures so it's a win-win situation. Don't know anything about tapes, but my preferred method of story telling has always been to deliver them in the first person thus allowing a general livening up of the narrative by accentuating certain words, adopting different (and maybe weird) voices for characters, and sharing the pictures.

I am trying to purchase the Christmas Stories tape. I think it's 1987. It has 'A Coat for the Snowman' on it. My children loved this and now I want to get it for my grandchildren. Can anybody please help? Does anyone know of the original book as well, please? I am prepared to pay whatever as the tape and book hold so many memories.

The Secret Mountain is considered "racist" today by those in charge which might be why it is out of print.

I've been going through my collection of Enid Blyton books and have come across an edition of The Adventures of Mr Pink-Whistle and just realised that it actually has Mr Pink-Whistle's Party inside it! Does anyone else have one like this?

I seem to remember a book involving an eclipse and tribespeople, possibly Famous Five. Anyone know the title? Thank you.

Barney, a lot of people seem to think that Darrell, Sally, etc. are legal adults at the time they leave school - but Malory Towers is set in the 1940s, when you legally became an adult at 21. When they leave the Towers they would still be legally children for three years more.

Hi, Debbie. I found a couple of Noddy hankies in my gran's house when she died - and I gave them to my nephews. My little nephew used one of them at Gran's funeral. His mum told him off for blowing his nose with a Noddy hanky - but I was glad to share some precious items from my own past. Elise - I know, I've never got that either! You don't go to school aged 18!

Besides Winston Churchill, how many real life people and events turn up in Enid's works?

I first found Enid Blyton books in my local library. The first one I ever read was Five Go to Smuggler's Top. I really enjoyed it and then went on to read the rest of the series. I have now read all of the Naughtiest Girl books, all of the Famous Five books (which are my favourite), The Sea of Adventure, The Circus of Adventure, the Faraway Tree books (which if I am honest I was at first hesitant to read but soon enjoyed) and I have just started reading the Malory Towers series. I love her books as they are often adventurous/mysterious, containing lots of exciting events/adventures or mysteries. I often wish I could be friends with the characters and be in the book with them!

I just found this page and I own some of the sunny books. On this site do you sell the books? I am interested in the ones with golliwogs in them. I am 74 and just love them.

Blyton's teenagers are oft-criticised for seemingly never reaching puberty - J. K. Rowling remarked about this - but I doubt her target audience wanted to be reminded of it.

I read a story called 'The Day the Princess Came'. How many copies are there of Enid Blyton stories and books, and how can I read more stories of Enid Blyton?

Malory Towers is such a beautiful series. I loved it more than anything else. When you read it you will feel as if you're in a different world.

Mark, I am sure our resident German expert, Wolfgang, would be able to answer this query, only I'm not sure if he looks at the home page. Take a look at the forums (you might need to register if you wish to contact him or post), where he posts prolifically about German editions.

On Jan 29, 2018 Mark enquired about the contents of two German books containing Enid Blyton tales - Schnipp Schnapp Schnupp und 27 andere Geschichten and Die kluge Eule und 28 andere Geschichten. There are almost thirty stories in each volume, which is a fair a number although Enid Blyton's 'Holiday' books generally have more. 'Nature Book Series' is a good guess because a volume exists with about thirty small tales that goes under the name Stories and Notes to Enid Blyton Nature Plates. The contents page lists such titles as 'Susan and the Birds', which should cover 'Susanne's Vogeltisch', and there's another called 'Three Bad Imps' who are named Snip, Snap and Snorum, as opposed to Schnipp, Schnapp und Schnupp. The other volume (Die kluge Eule und 28 andere Geschichten) looks as if it could be a similar compilation taken from the 'Nature Plates' book. In later years many reprints were published that differ in content and often don't contain every single story from the original copies. Another book called Hedgerow Tales contains 24 stories in similar vein to many of the short accounts that Enid Blyton wrote concerning wildlife, and there's a story about an owl in it of course because plenty of duplication exists in the author's collection, however the tale itself doesn't seem quite as fitting when compared to the 'Nature Plates' example. We have one or two German-speaking members of the Enid Blyton Society who, as Barney intimated, might also be able to offer suggestions.

Hello, I've found two German translations of stories written by Enid Blyton. The German collections are called Schnipp Schnapp Schnupp und 27 andere Geschichten and Die kluge Eule und 28 andere Geschichten. I'm interested in knowing what all these short stories are (in English) and which English series they came from. I think some of the stories came from the 'Nature Book Series', but I think some are missing. Can you help? Thanks.

I have an A4-sized book titled Jolly Pictures, printed in Great Britain by Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd. The front cover features a young girl standing on a stool as she stirs with a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl. A young child sits on the floor eating from a bowl while a black cat looks on. Would like to know how this book relates to Enid Blyton and what age it is. Thanks.

Hi, I am desperately looking for the story and ideally to buy a copy of the storybook I had in the late 70s/ early 80s. It contained a story of magic soap. Some details I have are: 'Magic Soap' - Ned the Kuomb (spelling unknown) gives each mother in fairyland magic soap to do her weekly wash.​ Bitsy Bunny, a mischievous little girl rabbit, nibbles through the washing line and all the clean laundry "falls into the mud with a flip and a flop and a terrible thud, and must be done all over again."​ MAYBE this line is "with a flip and a flop and a terrible THUD, all of the washing fell down in the MUD." The words about "a flip and a flop and a terrible thud" are repeated many times​. Bitsy Bunny and a friend of hers, a squirrel, go to each mother asking if she has any magic soap left that they may have.​

I am downsizing and have come across a copy of The Teacher's Treasury, volume one, published in about 1928. It is in poor order but complete. Would anyone like it? It hurts me to throw out something someone else might like. CB

Hello. I was reminiscing about Enid Blyton's Book of the Year today....one of my absolute favourites as a child in the 40s and 50s. Imagine my delight, when googling to see if it was still available, to find a very full description of those wonderful contents...stories, plays, poems, puzzles. I even found that book useful when I became a teacher! Thank you!

Hi there barney I have emailed Tony but no reply as yet.... I have a Enid Blyton book Shadow the sheepdog It says first published June 1942 Then under that's it says....reprinted January 1943 The dust jacket is present and it's not clipped Although I do not fully understand why this makes it more desirable....? I have been offered £35 for it and really wanted to know if it is worth more than this .... Any advise great fully appreciated Happy to send photos which I did send to Tony in the email to him

Hi Barney. Regarding Sylvia's query, it would be a good idea to check out The Book People website. They have box sets of Enid Blyton books including Noddy and a complete set of Secret Seven stories, as well as a set they call the Friendly Folk which includes The Book of Brownies, The Adventures of Pip and Brer Rabbit. They aren't expensive either.

Hello. I've got a five-year-old boy (turning six next month) who is a wide reader and I would like him to start reading chapter books. A few colleagues have recommended Enid Blyton. Which sets do you think should I get for his age? Looking forward to hearing from you. Kind regards.

Hi. I have all the Mary Mouse books and from perusing the "also in the series" on the back cover, I have established a publication order that differs slightly from that in this society's website. Probably I am wrong, but I am simply asking how confident are you that your list is accurate. I agree with your list up to number 7 but ...

Hi Barney, I would love to know how so many cocker spaniels are included in Enid Blyton books. I love cocker spaniels too, and noticed recently that most of her books include them. I have read of Scamper (Secret Seven), Loony (The Rockingdown Mystery), Lulu (Mr Galliano's Circus), Bundle (The Family at Red-Roofs), etc. Are there any others that I might have missed out?

Very surprised to discover books with the Enid Blyton signature displayed which were not written by her. On picking one up, one is certainly misled into thinking one is purchasing a genuine Enid Blyton book as packaged in a Ladybird-style cover for the Famous Five stories. The content is for adult reading.

I am trying to find some stories my mum used to read to me. Do you know of a story where a pixie collects falling leaves and gives them to an old lady so she has 365 days of good luck? Thank you. x

I was so sorry to hear that Mr. Tony Summerfield who runs this wonderful site has been ill lately and would like to take this opportunity to wish him a very speedy recovery.

So sorry Viv Endecott's shop closed.

Dear Barney the dog, didn't Enid Blyton write a mystery series named the Barney Mysteries? If she did, can you still buy them?