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Help me find childhood books (1970-1990ish)

20 replies

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 18:10

I have always loved books since I was little and really like buying books for my 3 dc that I enjoyed growing up with, from Peepo, The Railway Children to Alison Uttleys Stories for Christmas, The magic Farraway Tree and back to Judy Blume’s collection...

However there a few that I remember enjoying reading and little bits of characters and detail but not enough to google find and wondered if anyone else could remember them...

I was born in 1980 but reckon there is a good chance a few could have been printed before I was born and we got given 2nd hand!)

First one, very folky, about the land and particularly the trees, there was two children, a boy and a girl, think they were either raised by nature or were half tree (definitely think this could be a very trippy 1970 book!!!) There was a big oak tree that came to life and was a guardian to them and offered words of wisdom...

2nd, I have very vague memories of this! These were collectible stories and quite thin, short, more pictures than words. There were a lot of magical characters, all different personalities but I can’t think what form they took, I seem to remember they all lived in the same house but most of the stories took part in the garden where there was a wishing well...

I remember the end of one particular books of the characters had down something naughty and they punished him and taught him a lesson by making wait outside the window while they all ate cake!

Third, I think my mum bought it for me for us driving down south to go on holiday when I was around 14/15 there was 4 books one for each sister in the family, each sister had their own personality and obviously the books tackled their own individual issues/creaks growing up, I had the Phoebe sister book and she got caught up a girl that led her astray and then got caught shop lifting

4th (LOVED this book) was reminded of it after watching Little Fires Everywhere as the story running through it was VERY similar! Story about a teenager living out of a suitcase as her mum never wanted to settle down and they moved about a lot, The story mostly centred on how unhappy she was as could never settle, make friends as she was always up rooted. Turns out she was stolen when she was a baby and the reason they were always in the run was that she had been stolen as a baby. Don’t remember the name of the girl in the story but do remember she had really cool style and I was very envious of her exciting life, getting piercings and being allowed to die her hair pink!!

Can anyone remember any of these?

OP posts:
Crapster · 11/08/2020 18:13

Could the one with the tree be The Tree That Sat Down perhaps?

NewtScamandersNiffler · 11/08/2020 18:24

Third series is Marilyn Kaye's Sisters series with Phoebe, Cassie, Lydia and Daphne

www.amazon.co.uk/Phoebe-Lions-Teen-Tracks-S/dp/0006729797/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid&sr

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 18:26

@NewtScamandersNiffler

Third series is Marilyn Kaye's Sisters series with Phoebe, Cassie, Lydia and Daphne

]]

Oh my gosh, yes that’s it, remember the cover so well!!!

Thanks. Smile

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TinyMetalBirds · 11/08/2020 18:31

The teenager moving around one is very similar to the backstory of Vianne (sp?) in Chocolat, but I shouldn't think it is that. It does jog my memory actually, quite apart from the Chocolat bit - I will have a think!

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 18:33

@Crapster

Could the one with the tree be The Tree That Sat Down perhaps?
I don’t think so...

I think the boys name might have been Timmy and I remember at the time loving the art work as it was like their clothes had been made out of leaves, flowers etc but still very keeping of the time it ie flares, shirts with cris cross ties at the front etc

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HalfBloodPrincess · 11/08/2020 18:38

Stolen baby one sounds a bit like Dawn by Virginia Andrews.

HalfBloodPrincess · 11/08/2020 18:40

Ah reread dont think it is.

Maybe a Paula Danziger book?

bumpyknuckles · 11/08/2020 18:41

Is the first one the Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton?

bookmum08 · 11/08/2020 18:42

The stolen baby one is called 'where it stops nobody knows' Although it was reprinted later on with a different title.
Can't remember author....off to going.

bookmum08 · 11/08/2020 18:43

"off to Google"
Not going.
Although I am going to Google.
Grin

justoverthehorizon · 11/08/2020 18:48

wishing chair by Enid Blyton?

bookmum08 · 11/08/2020 18:48

Amy Ehrlich is the writer for 'Where It Stops'.
I really liked that book.

NewtScamandersNiffler · 11/08/2020 18:51

I'm not sure if you're also looking for new(er) books, but a magical adventure with an orphan, an old house and discovering conservation via the exotic animals in the garden is Charmian Hussey's The Valley of Secrets

www.amazon.co.uk/Valley-Secrets-Charmian-Hussey/dp/1416900152/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2W78CAY9KGGVR&keywords=the+valley+of+secrets+charmian+hussey&sprefix=Hussey+char%2Caps%2C243&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1597167889&sr=8-1

I also love the old fashioned makeover tales in Clare Mallory's Anna Charlotte.

www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Charlotte-Clare-Mallory/dp/0956462677/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=anna+charlotte+clare+mallory&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1597168176&sr=8-1

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 18:51

Yes that is definitely the 2nd book, awesome!! 😍

I’m going to try and buy both of these for my girls!!

1st two definitely aren’t Enid Blyton...

OP posts:
BarefootHippieChick · 11/08/2020 18:53

The set of 4 sisters books were my absolute favourites, I still have them in the attic!

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 18:53

Sorry should say that was definitely the 4th book!!

OP posts:
Bassettgirl · 11/08/2020 18:58

Following!

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 20:47

Bump!

OP posts:
myworkingtitle · 11/08/2020 20:50

In the first book were they twins called something like Aidan and Diana? And Diana the huntress sort of came into it?

MaLarkin2 · 11/08/2020 21:34

@myworkingtitle

In the first book were they twins called something like Aidan and Diana? And Diana the huntress sort of came into it?
No, unfortunately that doesn’t sound familiar.
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