Asking for help to find a book I once read

[Sorocknroll]

When I was younger (about 25 years ago) I had a book of short stories.

One story was about a girl who couldn't tell the time and was late back from playing so her mum would put an alarm clock in her dolls pram to remind her to come home. She got laughed at by her friends cause she couldn't tell the time so she learnt.

Another story was about a girl who went BlackBerry picking to make a pie.

I think the book had a cream outer and was certainly an older style written book. Possibly 60s or 70s maybe older.

Anyone else recall this book or help me find it. I would love it for my children.

Thanks mumsnetters

[Lancrelady80]

No idea but totally sounds like the kind of thing Enid Blyton would have written.

[NobbyButtons]

It sounds a bit like My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards, but I read those books to my daughter recently and can't remember if those things happened.

[Crockodoodle]

Agree, sounds like Enid Blyton, always has a moral message. Did the blackberry picker get sick from eating non blackberries?

[Sorocknroll]

I cant remember what happened with the BlackBerry picker. I am sure she picks the wrong ones and makes a pie....

Will look up enid blyton and see if anything rings a bell

It was illustrated I remember that. But it was not coloured and the pages were thick yellowing pages. Not like pages today which is why my thoughts are that it was an old book.

[Nousernameforme]

Could it be by Joan Aiken a quick google suggests two of hers which could involve blackberry picking

Emma Watson an unfinished Jane Austin novel
www.amazon.co.uk/Emma-Watson-Completed-Joan-Aiken/dp/0312145934?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Or Serial Garden which is a collection of short stories www.amazon.co.uk/Serial-Garden-Joan-Aiken/dp/1931520828?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[TheGrump]

Milly-Molly-Mandy stories by Joyce Lankester Brisley?? I remember a story about blackberry picking?

[Nightmanagerfan]

I definitely remember the clock in the pram story. I think Enid Blyton?

[ChocoholicMama]

I agree it sounds like Enid Blyton and she had so many short story books. Possibly this one, which has The little Clockwinder and BlackBerry Pie as two of the stories. www.goodreads.com/book/show/1212152.The_Strange_Umbrella_and_Other_Stories

[AlwaysColdHands]

Was going to say milly molly mandy 👍🏻

[Crockodoodle]

Pictures like this? Additionally the pages are yellow and smell of a gorgeous familiar childhood mustiness, book lost this smell late 70's.

[Toothsil]

I don't know if this is any help at all but is this the story? www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/magazine-details.php?magid=396

[llamakoala]

I had several Enid Blyton books as a child, especially the short story collections and the all ended with ‘...and Other Stories’ i.e. ‘The Pig with Green Spots and Other Stories’. Your description sounds exactly like one of those books. I have them put away somewhere- will have to dig them out when I can and report back!

[Toothsil]

If it is that story - " She couldn't Tell the Time" by Enid Blyton - it seems to be in a book called Twelve Silver Cups and other stories, still available on Amazon from what I can see.

[ChocoholicMama]

@Toothsil

If it is that story - " She couldn't Tell the Time" by Enid Blyton - it seems to be in a book called Twelve Silver Cups and other stories, still available on Amazon from what I can see.

Ah, that might be right! It has Blackberry tart as a story in that book. I’m sure I’ve got that somewhere so might be able to check it if I can find it.

[Sorocknroll]

I think you may all be on to it with Enid Blyton. From the images from the older books it certainly looks familiar.

I cant seem to find the particular book but the girl who couldnt tell the time would make alot of sense.

Think I may need to order some of them from amazon or go searching the book shops and charity shops when they are open again.

Thanks everyone certainly giving me something to look for and seems logical that my mum would have got me a enid blyton book

[whoissylvia]

It is one of the Enid Blyton story collections (maybe Snicker the Brownie or The Wishing Chair?)

[ChocoholicMama]

Found my copy of 12 silver cups and other stories. “She couldn’t tell the time” is the pram with alarm clock story, and “Blackberry Tart” is a girl who falls over and can’t go blackberry picking, but then finds blackberries near home and makes a tart. I’d say this is the one you’re after. Xxx

[Sorocknroll]

That's the one. You are amazing @chocoholicmama!!

Thank you so much everyone. Now time to buy the book!

[ChocoholicMama]

All credit to Toothsil who guessed the book... I just happened to have a copy to check Enjoy!!

[Crockodoodle]

You need to look for an early 70's edition for correct yellowing and smell, honestly it will transport you back in an instance.

[Sorocknroll]

Oh sorry @toothsil I somehow missed your message!

I have ordered a copy off Ebay hopefully wont take long to come. I got a 1985 version but if it doesnt look right I will look for an older one to keep on my bookshelf and use this one to read to my girls