Favourite Childhood book

[Marian]

I read a lot as a child, and wondered which books other members of the forum remember fondly from their childhood?
I'll start the ball rolling with "Little Women" by Louisa M. Alcott, I didn't like the follow up book "Jo's Boys" quite as much.
Marian

[Lena & Harry Smith]

I Loved "Little Women" too Marian, but it was Enid Blytons books that were my favourites, among them.."The Famous Five "series.
When any of our friends were taking a book back to our local library, it was usual to go with them and be the next one to borrow it.
"Five On A Treasure Island"

[Marian]

I really loved Enid Blyton's books too Lena. All the Fives books, and The Secret Seven too.
I used to get her annual for my birthday, but I can't remember what it was called. It was for younger children than the Fives books.
Marian

[mariana44]

Funnily enough, I had it in mind to start a book Thread-I had not thought of the twist of a Childhood book though.

I rarely read now, although I used to read avidly-I remember when I had not long learned to read, my brother took me along to the local library--I was in heaven ! I can remember going in the morning, choosing my 4 books-[all that we were allowed then]--go home, ead them--and take them back before the library closed to get another 4 on the same day !!

I have many many favourites, lots of which I still have, although I was never bought any books as a child-they were all from the library.

I guess my favourite of all is a book called "Rilla of Ingleside". I had read "Anne of Green Gables" many many times, but it was ages before I realised there were a whole series of "Anne" books--"Anne of the Island" "Anne's house of dreams" "Anne of Ingleside" etc etc ending with "Rainbow Valley" and "Rilla of Ingleside"---I loved them all-and would often read the whole series --about 10 books--one after the other.

"Rilla of Ingleside" tells the story of the youngest daughter of Anne and Gilbert, Rilla, and is told against the background of the first World War, where many Canadian soldiers served. My 2 saddest parts are when Rilla receives a letter from her brother Walter, just days after he is killed in battle---and also the little dog who waited faithfully at the Railway station 5 years for his master to come home from war--which he does eventually.

Although they were made into films, I never enjoyed the films as much as the book--and the final film was a completely different story, with Anne becoming a nurse, and finding Gilbert injured in hospital---it never happened !!!!!

[Gray]

I enjoyed reading this, Marian.
What a lovely thread.

[mariana44]

I also loved Enid Blyton books---from the ones for really young readers, to the more advanced like "Famous 5" "The Adventure books" -[eg--the Island of Adventure, the Mountain of Adventure, etc] though to the schools series--"The Twins at St Clares" and "The Mallory Towers Books" , which were my favourites.

I desperately wanted to go to Boarding School--I wanted to be taught French by Ma'mselle---I wanted to play Lacrosse, I wanted to have Midnight Feasts---looking back, I am not really sure if I would actually have really enjoyed it !!!

I have a friend who collects Enid Blyton first editions--and she wrote a lot of books !!!

[Marian]

Enid Blyton certainly was a very prolific writer I expect those first editions are quite valuable Marian.
My own children read and enjoyed the Adventure series too, and even today my grandchildren love anything to do with Noddy.
I also remember small magazine type books she wrote - Sunny Stories.
Marian

[john]

I used to love Enid Blyton's books as well. The Famous Five and Secret Seven were amongst my favourites, also the "Five" series of books, and The Magic Faraway Tree as well. Oh, and Mr Twiddle!

[Marian]

Anyone remember Teddy Tail or Toby Twirl? I always feel a twinge of nostalgia when I see these books at Boot Sales.

[mariana44]

I loved reading "Just William" books---he was such a character. along with his "gang" of Douglas, Ginger and Henry, I think were their names--plus of course his dog-not to mention Violet Elizabeth--the part that bought Bonnie Langford to us !! I still have one "Just William" book here at home. I cannot remember if the books were ever made into a film, I know it was adapted for Tv---but again to my mind not too successfully.

My friend Dorothy, in my Wi, who has written a couple of books, actually knew Richmal Crompton, and has several letters from her.

[Sandra]

Me too for Enid Blyton although not p.c. these days.
What about the five find outers and a dog-think they were in the Mystery series like the Burnt Cottage and Spiteful Letters etc.Like you Marion my favourites were Mallory Towers and St.Clares.
As you say they were all library books although we always had an annual at Christmas.
I remember Toby Twirl and Teddy Tail too.
What about Milly Molly Mandy and the Ameliaranne books.

[mariana44]

I read all the Milly Molly Mandy books-not sure about Amelia Ann.

I was the same, and always had an annual for Christmas--started off with Beano or Dandy Albums--then went on to "Film Fun" or "Radio Fun"--then went onto "Girl's Crystal" and "School friend"--
--my Mum used to get cross with me, bcause on Christmas morning I would awake about 6.00, and by 9.00 I would have my annual finished, and my tangerine and chocolate bar eaten !!!

Plus of course the comics every week---Just buy one, and then swap until they have all been read.

[john]

I certainly remember the Five Find Outers Sandra, and also the "Secret of Spiggy Holes" series as well. I used to have a couple of hundred plus of Enid Blyton's books, I got rid of some of them but still have quite a lot. I don't read them now, of course.

[Marian]

I used to get 'School Friend' and 'Girls Crystal' too Marian, and then when 'Eagle' started I had that until they brought out 'Girl' for girls.
Another favourite book was Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.
I used to love it when you were lucky enough to get a brand new book from the library, I still like books covered in the way they always did in libraries.
Marian

[mariana44]

I read the whole series of "Jennings " books too---I always loved books that had sequels--or just more books with the same characters.