Comments on: The Blyton Years http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/ Welcome to the home of Beta Mum - who lacks the lifestyle and perfectionist tendencies of Alpha Mummy, but rubs along pretty well most of the time Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:45:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: duwlichmum http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-190 duwlichmum Thu, 10 May 2007 21:06:09 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-190 Did you know where Enid was from? She lived in Dulwich for a very long time indeed! Did you know where Enid was from? She lived in Dulwich for a very long time indeed!

]]> By: spymum http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-188 spymum Thu, 10 May 2007 19:21:41 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-188 I was Blyton mad, and mounted a spirited defense of her at age 10 when my teacher said that she was the most awful writer ever - I can still remember the plots and the characters. but then I found one in a second hand book shop, bought it, intending to lovingly read it to my two and found that I just couldn't stomach it. And I am the most un-PC person ever! It was a sad moment. There is a blue plaque where she used to live near the East Dulwich Library, btw! I was Blyton mad, and mounted a spirited defense of her at age 10 when my teacher said that she was the most awful writer ever – I can still remember the plots and the characters. but then I found one in a second hand book shop, bought it, intending to lovingly read it to my two and found that I just couldn’t stomach it.

And I am the most un-PC person ever! It was a sad moment.

There is a blue plaque where she used to live near the East Dulwich Library, btw!

]]> By: Lucy Diamond http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-173 Lucy Diamond Wed, 09 May 2007 13:08:53 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-173 Apparently the kids of The Faraway Tree books have been changed from Jo, Bessie and Fanny (plus Dick) to Joe, Beth, Frannie and Rick. Sadly we've still got one of the old editions which saw lots of giggling. "Why is that girl called FANNY?" etc. Eldest daughter loved the stories though, once we'd got over the hilarity. I used to love the Adventurous Four books, St Clares, Malory Towers, Wishing Chair, oh all of them, really. Do agree that in comparison the Mr Men books are bloody awful, btw. It's the same two stories repeated over and over again! Apparently the kids of The Faraway Tree books have been changed from Jo, Bessie and Fanny (plus Dick) to Joe, Beth, Frannie and Rick.
Sadly we’ve still got one of the old editions which saw lots of giggling. “Why is that girl called FANNY?” etc. Eldest daughter loved the stories though, once we’d got over the hilarity.

I used to love the Adventurous Four books, St Clares, Malory Towers, Wishing Chair, oh all of them, really. Do agree that in comparison the Mr Men books are bloody awful, btw. It’s the same two stories repeated over and over again!

]]> By: Drunk Mummy http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-162 Drunk Mummy Tue, 08 May 2007 09:27:37 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-162 I am always ready to spring to the defence of Enid Blyton, which it seems I am required to do frequently. One of my kids loves her stuff, another has no interest at all. Of course the settings/politics/social comment aspects are dated, but it doesn't stop them being well-written stories with easy vocabulary and plots that children can follow. You only have to read the dire Mr Men books to realise the worth of Blyton's writing. Having said all that, I really can't stand Noddy - such a sanctimonious little prig! I am always ready to spring to the defence of Enid Blyton, which it seems I am required to do frequently. One of my kids loves her stuff, another has no interest at all. Of course the settings/politics/social comment aspects are dated, but it doesn’t stop them being well-written stories with easy vocabulary and plots that children can follow. You only have to read the dire Mr Men books to realise the worth of Blyton’s writing. Having said all that, I really can’t stand Noddy – such a sanctimonious little prig!

]]> By: debio http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-159 debio Mon, 07 May 2007 18:40:11 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-159 My daughter devoured The Famous Five. She actually found the dated conversation and un-PC messages amusing. Much better fodder than the PC content of the Oxford Reading Tree series - some of which was completely baffling both to her and me. I disagree with feeding children the 'correct' reading material (clearly within certain boundaries). We should learn to read because it enhances our lives - how about road signs on the motorway, or a restaurant menu, or the blurb on a cereal box.....? My daughter devoured The Famous Five. She actually found the dated conversation and un-PC messages amusing.

Much better fodder than the PC content of the Oxford Reading Tree series – some of which was completely baffling both to her and me.

I disagree with feeding children the ‘correct’ reading material (clearly within certain boundaries).

We should learn to read because it enhances our lives – how about road signs on the motorway, or a restaurant menu, or the blurb on a cereal box…..?

]]> By: Omega Mummy http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-158 Omega Mummy Mon, 07 May 2007 18:16:23 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-158 Having tried, and failed, to interest Leo in Harry Potter, Alex Ryder and any other book recommended for boys not interested in reading, we've let him follow his own heart. He now reads football manuals (for the facts) and the Beano, and 'Horrid History'. That's it. Having tried, and failed, to interest Leo in Harry Potter, Alex Ryder and any other book recommended for boys not interested in reading, we’ve let him follow his own heart. He now reads football manuals (for the facts) and the Beano, and ‘Horrid History’. That’s it.

]]> By: Mutterings & Meanderings http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-157 Mutterings & Meanderings Mon, 07 May 2007 17:38:32 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-157 Sorry, I mean Ruby is 1950s un-PC but <i>not</i> in the same way as Enid. Sorry, I mean Ruby is 1950s un-PC but not in the same way as Enid.

]]> By: Cathy http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-156 Cathy Mon, 07 May 2007 17:26:29 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-156 I'm afraid my son didn't like Enid Blyton at all, he found them far too dated. But he did enjoy Roald Dahl, Dick King-Smith and some of the less girly Jacqueline Wilson books, not to mention Harry Potter. Now, at 15, he won't read a book on principle :( I’m afraid my son didn’t like Enid Blyton at all, he found them far too dated. But he did enjoy Roald Dahl, Dick King-Smith and some of the less girly Jacqueline Wilson books, not to mention Harry Potter. Now, at 15, he won’t read a book on principle :(

]]> By: Mutterings & Meanderings http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-155 Mutterings & Meanderings Mon, 07 May 2007 16:00:42 +0000 http://www.cathykeir.co.uk/blog/the-blyton-years/#comment-155 I devoured the Famous Five, Secret Seven, Twins at St Claire's and Mallory Towers. However, my favourite children's author is Ruby Ferguson and her Jill books. Fantastic: http://mutteringsandmeanderings.blogspot.com/2007/03/childhood-favourites.html Ruby is 1950s un-PC too, but in the same way as Enid Blyton. I devoured the Famous Five, Secret Seven, Twins at St Claire’s and Mallory Towers.

However, my favourite children’s author is Ruby Ferguson and her Jill books. Fantastic: http://mutteringsandmeanderings.blogspot.com/2007/03/childhood-favourites.html

Ruby is 1950s un-PC too, but in the same way as Enid Blyton.

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