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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

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Original poster

What really stands out when you think of your childhood books?

306 replies

invisiblegorilla · 30/12/2015 19:58

For me:

The Chalet School series. The early ones, when Jo was still a pupil! I brought them second hand. Eustacia, Elisaveta and so on. I remember when Jo and co. were given their prefect rooms in the new building and being in love with the descriptions/idea of it all.

Nancy Drew. Can't remember which ones, it's just a lot of investigations and stories blended it together in my memory.

The Chronicles of Narnia. I found the last book a little strange, but I read the first three over and over again.

And anything by Roald Dahl. There's a lot more (anything to do with boarding schools and midnight feasts had me obsessed) but I'm curious about what books other people remember the most.

OP posts:

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cheapskatemum · 22/01/2016 22:00

They'd be way down my list of books I wish to re-read, tbh. I've got a backlog of about 50 adult books I'd like to read for the 1st time before I get to re-reading children's books!

Bloodybridget · 21/01/2016 21:51

I read quite a few Brazils when I was a gel, and then more as an adult. I'm not hugely keen on them now, are you? No need to apologise!

cheapskatemum · 21/01/2016 20:46

Ok, I think I was confusing The Naughtiest Girl in School by Enid Blyton with either The Nicest Girl in School, or The Luckiest Girl in School by Angela Brazil, who also wrote The Jolliest School. Abject apologies, please excuse me, it was decades ago!

cheapskatemum · 21/01/2016 20:36

Thanks Bloodybridget I read practically everything Blyton wrote when I was a child, so I can see how I might have made that mistake, but I'm sure I read books set in a girls' school and written by Angela Brazil as well. I'm off to do a bit of research as to what their titles might be...

Bloodybridget · 21/01/2016 19:54

ThatsNotMyHouse was it Barbara Willard's Mantlemass series? Starting with A Sprig of Broom and set in Sussex?

ThatsNotMyHouseItIsTooClean · 20/01/2016 23:53

No one has mentioned the Brian Jacques Redwall series about a monastery of mice. I adored those and still read them every couple of years or so along with the Katy books, S&A, St Clares & Mallory Towers.

Can anyone remember a series of books that I would have read in the mid 80s aged around 10 set in the Plantagenet period? Other than loving the story, that is one of the few things I remember as I had no idea how to pronounce it. I think one of the characters was called Catherine & known as Cat which I thought was really cool but DP didn't agree. Nor did he agree with Nancy (S&A) or Araminta (Moondial).

Ijustworkhere · 20/01/2016 23:51

I love this thread! So many books I'm going to hunt out to re-read. Has anyone mentioned 'From the mixed up files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler' yet? About two children who run away to live in the metropolitan museum of art in NY. I loved it

ApplesinmyPocket · 20/01/2016 23:21

I've just finished The Runaways, aka Linnets and Valerians, bought for a penny on Amazon (plus p&p) after it was suggested on the last MN thread like this. Utterly delightful.

Themodernuriahheep · 20/01/2016 20:14

Lottie and Lisa has just been republished under a different title.

Just as linnets and valerians by Goudge has, now called The a Runaways...

Themodernuriahheep · 20/01/2016 20:13

MNHQ, thanks. Was going to report, but you got there first.

Lougie, is that the one in the US where she has a plain and poor friend whose father takes a worse post as a policeman to get her into a better school? I've often though about it. ( trying not to mention the obvious thing about the car crash as would have to do spoiler alert).

MargaretTheQuestion · 20/01/2016 09:41

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lougle · 20/01/2016 09:33

All the Enid Blyton books -FF, SS, Faraway tree, etc.

Izzy, Willy Nilly - a book about a girl who had a car crash on a night out with friends. I still remember it often.

Ramona the Brave.

All the Point Horror books.

Sweet Valley High.

ApplesinmyPocket · 20/01/2016 09:23

That's interesting, EbearHug. I see FH wrote some others too, notably 'Mr Twink'. I only remember Norgy. Found this screenshot which tantalisingly shows the model village, Norgy and his stuffed dog Jock (there's a very sad bit where heroic Jock saves the day but loses some stuffing. Fortunately All Ends Ok.)

On the back flypaper is a mention of Snail and the Pennithornes which rings a bell with me. In those days one tended to have read or intend to read all the books advertised on endpapers.

What really stands out when you think of your childhood books?

EBearhug · 20/01/2016 03:03

I have The Wonderful Birthday by Freda Hurt. No memory of Norgy in Littleland, though.

YouGottaKeepEmSeparated · 20/01/2016 01:09

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