Garden Gang books, Jayne Fisher

[parrotcarrotclaret]

Hi all,

My friends don't seem to remember these books to turning to the wisdom of MN.

I had a few when I was young and loved them.

My kids have recently got into them and I've bought them a few more.

I'm now trying to source some of the ones I don't have. EBay has been great (not much on Amazon).

But some of them seem really elusive and I'm wondering why?

Has anybody ever seen Barnaby Banana, Delia Damson, Tobias Turnip, or Paul Pumpkin?

Barnaby Banana seems particularly unusual because he doesn't often appear inside the front cover. I think I have only seen him inside one book.

I'm wondering if he maybe doesn't have his own book at all (sad ) of if it was just less popular than the others.

Similarly, I have Oscar Orange and Augustus Aubergine, but they don't appear inside the front covers of any of them.

Also, it's usually Simon Swede in top left inside cover, but sometimes it's Tobias Turnip. As swedes / turnips are so similar I originally assumed they had just changed the veg/name, but I have now read Simon Swede....he is a young lad, whereas Tobias Turnip wears a mortarboard and looks like a Headmaster or something.

Finally, does anybody know why Penelope Strawberry is the only one without an alliterative name?

Front covers

Huge memory blast! I also remember this was my first exposure to 'Penelope' in written form and thinking it was 'penny-lope'

That book is one of our favourites.

We adore Patrick Pear.

I love the nostalgia of them as well.

When they go to the beach in Cardew Carrot's bus, Patrick has his fishing rod sticking out "the sunshine roof"

I'm guessing this is what they called sun roofs back in the 70s/80s.

And in one of them, somebody is selling tickets to something for 3p.

Wonder what became of Jayne Fisher as an adult? And if she still earns any money from the series?

Aha.

So I have my answer.

According to Wikipedia there are 14 books, and it looks like we have them all (or soon will have).

So looks like Tobias Turnip et al didn't actually have a book.

So the ones I've been looking for don't actually exist. Oh well, at least I have closure. Was frustrating thinking they were out there somewhere but I couldn't find them

Well being a very sad person I’ve found the Lucy Leek story on YouTube! She does say “ it’s been a poor drying day” but I’m certain I remember someone’s say good drying day!
I’ll continue my research

I've just found an old thread, I wonder if @Raven2469 Is still about, she is Jane's sister.

I did a search a while ago and came across a MN thread from years ago mentioning her.

I think her sister replied and said that Jayne was doing well and was an artist / writer.

Not sure if she still gets money for the books as they are out of print and only seem to be sold on eBay etc.

Would love to ask her the reason for Penelope Strawberry's non alliterative name She could so easily have been Susan Strawberry....there must be a reason.

I’ve now spent a nostalgic half hour on YouTube. Listening to Oliver Onion I can remember all of the story as it was my boys favourite one.

I loved these books so much and still have the 8 of them I had as a child ❤️ my favourite was Percival Pea because he was such a state 🤣

I'll check the book tomorrow!

Here's my collection, looking a bit worse for wear after being read by me, my brother, my 3 kids and his 2.

I don't keep books, I read loads but hardly keep any. But I'm keeping all of these.

Someone can read them to me when I'm old and losing my mind.

😂

That's one I don't have yet. Looking forward to getting it.

My favourite when I was young was Wee Willie Watermelon 😍

Lovely

A lot of mine are the white covers. The colourful ones are much nicer.

And I don't think any of mine are originals from my childhood....I just gradually bought a few over the past few years.

I think the only ones I had when I was young was Wee Willie Watermelon / Betty Beetroot and Oliver Onion/Tim Tomato

I didn't realise they were on YouTube. That's lovely, will take a look.

I adored these books!! I had a few of these but can’t quite remember the titles. Grace gooseberry and the raspberry one rings a bell. Plus the one where he has to stay off the grass and be quiet in the library!! And the garden gang band!! Happy days! 😀

I loved these books and used to draw the characters as a child. I ended up at art college in the early 90’s where Jayne also went. Don’t suppose I ever said how much I liked them as I was 17 and probably too cool back then!

We had a couple, they are in the spare room of my mum's house. I'll check which ones they are next time I'm there.

I've also always wondered why George Pig doesn't have an alliterative name.

I had these too and loved them

Oh I remember these - Grace Grape!

Oh Op you've made me go all nostalgic. Also who remembers the Munch Bunch.

Thank you for reminding me what these books were called. And those pictures bring back memories from 35 years ago!

Another who remembers them - the daughter of one of my mum's friends had the whole set - I liked that they were done in felt tip, it was a novelty.

I think I had Penelope Strawberry. Was it that everyone thought she was snooty, but she was actually very shy? And that she held a party for everyone so she could make friends? I seem to remember gazing at the food for that party - it looked delicious!

Apparently Tobias Turnip is in Gertrude Gooseberry's story. He broke his leg and so she had to take his place and teach school (I knew I remembered him from a story 🤣)