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07/03/2008


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books from my childhood ...

Who else had a copy of The Wind On The Moon by Eric Linklater? You may well have done as it was first published way back in 1944. My mum had loved this story as a child, so an obvious choice to buy for me in 1972, when I was eight. This copy cost 30p!

A branch of the apple-tree struck the window of the room where Major Palfrey was packing his trunk for a long absence, with the help of his daughters Dinah and Dorinda. There is a wind on the moon, he said. It was pale and wild and round it clung a collar of shining mist. I don't like the look of it at all. If it is an ill wind, and you behave badly, it will blow straight into your heart, and then you will behave badly for a long time to come. So I hope you are going to be good tonight, because I shall be away for at least a year and I don't want you to be a nuisance to your mother.

Famous last words. I shall leave you to decide what happens next, or to maybe even get a copy of the book. I am definitely going to read my copy again. As you can see by the condition, it was very well read as a child, I have even written my name inside the cover, just incase anyone dared to steal it!



Again bought for me in 1972 for 20p and first published in 1948, Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson.

A Moomintroll is small and shy and fat, and has a Moominpappa and a Moominmamma. Moomins live in the forest of Finland. They like sunshine, and sleep right through the winter. The snow falls and falls where they live, until their houses look like great snowballs. But when spring comes, up they jump and - well, that was the moment when this story began, and Moomintroll found the Hobgoblin Hat.




This copy of Little Women by Louisa M Alcott was awarded to me at primary school in 1974. Inside is written 'prize awarded for very good work - class 3'. You see, I was a good girl even back then!

Unfortunately these are the only books that have survived over the years, but I remember reading a lot as a child, and owning lots of prized books. I loved Enid Blyton, the series of books based around the Magic Faraway Tree, Mr Pinkwhistle and Amelia Jane, remember these? And when I was a little older, the Mallory Towers and St Clares series.

Visit Jayne over at Country Cottage Chic, she too has been talking about her favourite childhood books.

21 comments:

mc said...

Hello Louise and thanks for your comments. I have enjoyed dotting around your blog. You have lots of lovely posts.I'm glad your found Field of memories to share with us.I have added you to my list of blogs Hope that is ok with you!
best wishes
c*

Anonymous said...

Hi Louise

I read Little Women, Enid Blyton's Mallory Towers, Famous Five & St Clare's series. I don't have any of my childhood books ~ the result of having three younger siblings and too many house moves over the years. It is nice to revisit favourites though.

I love your spring lambs ~ such a welcome sight after winter.

Enjoy your weekend

Marie x

Summer by the sea said...

Hi Louise
Reading your post about childhood books bought back some memories - I remember the moomintrolls! - I also liked the twins at St Claires, and Milly Molly Mandy - I have recently bought a copy of Milly Molly Mandy for my daughter (she's only 22 months and cannot read!) so I will look after it until she can - its not the same as the old version though, I might see if I can get hold of an original
Natalie x
P.S - Thanks for popping by my blog - I would love to do a swap - but I have to make a few more bunnies first!

Ragged Roses said...

I had a childhood full of Enid Blyton! But I also loved the moomins and Little Women. My oldest daughter adored the Milly Molly Mandy stories and still reads them if she needs a little bit of cosy comfort!
Kimx

Rhondi said...

Hi Louise. Thanks for leaving a comment and letting me know that my flower is celandine. I remembered later that it is also called ranunculus. I haven't stopped by for awhile, so I had lots of catching up to do. I love fish and chips. I am originally from Canada and we had lots of great fish and chips shops , but here in the US there aren't any :(
It's amazing to think that Indian food is more popluar than fish and chips! Hope you have a great weekend. Rhondi

The Nostalgia Fairy said...

Hi Louise,
I too loved Enid Blyton - I still have masses of her books in my loft. I also have Little Women and I loved Black Beauty although it made me cry.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sandi x

Anonymous said...

We are expecting our first grandchild this summer and I have been looking for all the best children's books to build a library for him (we just discovered today that it is a "him"). I never read Linklater or Tove Jansson (sp) but will have to do so right away. Thank you for the suggestions. Perfect timing.

Sal said...

I always love reading about childhood books.Yours are real faves of mine too. And I was also an avid Enid Blyton reader...often very frowned upon by some..but it got me reading! Love,Sal

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Louise, how lovely to see your childhood books. I must admit I didn't read any of those, though I was 12 then, but not to have read Little Women is a bit embarrassing. I did love the Enid Blyton books though when I was younger. Funnily enough I do have roses on the front door, in the glass, but it's an ugly UPV door which I can't wait to change. As regards dusting - what's that?
Have a good weekend,
Lucy x

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

I am so pleased that you have mentioned your treasured books from childhood.. this really strikes a chord with me..
I loved my books so much as a child and spent my pocket money every week on the latest Famous Five series or Anne of Green Gables.. I also loved The Treasure Seekers, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.. and the list goes on..
I like the look of The WInd on the Moon.. might have to add that one to my ever increasing reading pile!.
Lovely post Louise.. made me very nostalgic.. in a happy way.

Love
Michelexx

carolr said...

I read a lot as a child as you did. My favorites were Donna Parker mysteries, Judy Bolton, Lassie and the Mystery at Blackberry Bog...I could go on forever. I always ordered from the class book order every month. I still buy lots of children's books, of course, since I teach grade one/two.
Thanks for your kind posts about my Grand Mom. She passed away peacefully Thursday afteronon.

Carol said...

Hi Louise,
I read a lot as a child too...went to the same local shop to buy a new book with my pocket money.
Enid was a firm favorite, do you remember Mr Twiddle?
I have recently taken all my old books out of their box and a feel a bit embaressed to admit I still want to read them!
Carol xx

Rubyred said...

Hi Louise,Iloved Enid Blyton books as a child especially The Famous Five.I collected the whole set and loved to read about their adventures and picnics.I owe my love of Ginger beer to them!
What a lovely post!
Rachel x

cd&m said...

Oh Mallory Towers...

Anonymous said...

I just adored Enid Blyton as a child, especially the Famous Five and Mallory Towers series of books. Many of the copies I had were war-time editions that had been my Mum's when she was a child and I still have them, all safely packed away in the loft. I'm not sure my nephew will ever want to read them, but I'm holding on to them just in case!

Anonymous said...

Little women was one of my favorite childhood books. I also loved the Box car twins. I still have both of these books. Thanks for the nice memory.

Sal said...

Me again..re my blog..I especially looked out the Moomintroll book for you!
My son was addicted to the tv series too! Sal;-)

Louise said...

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for leaving a comment. I would love to see those war-time editions, I presume in hardback? x

Country Cottage Chic said...

It's lovely to still have those books isn't it?

Twiggy said...

Hi there
I loved Enid Blyton books too and had loads, I have a lovely copy of Little Women that was awarded to my mum at Sunday School - I've read it time and time again. Great blog, thanks for the trip down memory lane
Twiggy

Joanna said...

I was trying to tell k about the wind in the moon book, its a lovely story, I had my mums copy.