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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

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Original poster

The Diddakoi, Rumer Godden

48 replies

Cortina · 20/12/2010 10:40

This book is wonderful, so moving and a really powerful account of how it feels to be an outsider.

Anyone read? On list to read aloud to my son, although he may be a little young yet.

OP posts:

cazzybabs · 20/12/2010 11:05

i love all her books although most are better for dds

HumphreyCobbler · 20/12/2010 11:12

Oh I love this book.

I am always mentioning it on here.

A beautifully written, moving book.

PheasantPlucker · 20/12/2010 11:14

I remember this book from my childhood, and from the BBC television programme that it inspired

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 20/12/2010 11:14

Fabulous book, DD read it a few years ago and I remember when it was the BBC did an adaptation in the 70s, they called it Kizzy and I used to cry.

deaconblue · 20/12/2010 19:57

gosh, blast from the past. Someone was talking about Chocky by John Wyndham the other day, another 70's blast

UrsulaUnderTheMistletoe · 20/12/2010 20:00

Wow. I remember it, I must have had a BBC tie-in book because I remember it being called Kizzy. I have never forgotten a line from it, she says "Aren't you going to lamb (sp?) me?" when she is expecting to be beaten for doing something wrong. I think we did it at school aged about 9 or 10.

DandyDan · 22/12/2010 08:38

I just got a copy of this from Oxfam a fortnight ago, a copy with the BBC adaptation pic on the cover.

I think the phrase would be "lamp me", though the spelling could actually be "lam" from the Old Norse - it means to beat up or thrash. If done thoroughly you would actually be "lam" or "lame".

SantasNutellaFairy · 22/12/2010 09:02

I love this story. Had a second hand copy when I was about 9 and now cannot find it.

It's a lovely story, but then most of Rumer Godden's stuff is great.

If he does love it, the see if you can get hold of a copy of Thursday's Children by Rumer Godden as well.

It's about a boy who is a talented ballet dancer, but because he is the youngest boy born after a much wanted and indulged daughter he has to fight for what he wants.

FessaEst · 22/12/2010 20:41

I loved this book when I was younger and borrowed it loads from the library. I was so jealous of her caravan at the bottom of the garden, and went through a stage of saying I would call a daughter Kezia!

QueenofDreams · 22/12/2010 20:44

Read this at school when I was about 7 or 8 I think. must try get hold of a copy...

BellaBearisWideAwake · 22/12/2010 20:47

the bit I remember most from this book is when the nice lady buys her clothes and she says three of everything ("one on, on in the wash, one in the cupboard" or something). Wish I was that efficient at washing!

careergirl · 28/12/2010 18:08

Loved it and still have a copy. I wish I could obtain a copy of the TV adaptation "Kizzy."

frozenfestiveflo · 28/12/2010 19:51

Loved it and may now have to source a copy to reread :)

careergirl · 28/12/2010 22:22

Very easy to get on ebay and the like.
The bit where the children deliberately crack Kizzy's head against the tree - makes me shudder. And when she plans to run away with her horse Joe only to find out he has died... oh dear I'll have to re-read it now.

Italiangreyhound · 28/12/2010 23:33

I loved the book. I remember when her old clothes are destroyed and she has a bath and all she recognises about herself are her gold hoop earrings. I think I wanted to be a gypsy because of that book, for a while.

Rumer Godden also wrote a book about Japanese Dolls, called Little Plum. I have always had a fascination with Asia. Maybe I can trace it to that!

I have just looked on Wikipedia and she also wrote Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, which Little Plum was the sequel to.

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 28/12/2010 23:37

:( Joe :(

SantasNutellaFairy · 28/12/2010 23:40

I remember always wanting the dress that was made for her birthday party- the reproduction of the one in the portrait of Kezia.

hellymelly · 28/12/2010 23:43

Oh I so loved this book,I remember crying onto the pages.I do have it for my dds but as yet they are too little and too sensitive to cope with the death etc."the dolls house" by her is great too.

Italiangreyhound · 29/12/2010 01:04

Gum had spotting at 8 weeks with DD and bleeding a 14 weeks, it was (they thought) the placenta. Anyway, try not to worry and get a scan.

All the best, praying for you.

Love to you Lunatic glad things are well.

Fairyfluffytank thinking of you hon.

Louise I can't say why but I have a really positive feeling for you. Please just try and be nice to yourself and you hubby. If your hair cut makes you look like a tit, which I doubt, go to the hairdresser and ask them to make it look less tit-like! I do find if I get the things in life which I can control) under control I feel better! No it won?t make all the difference but it will make a little difference (or should that be a tit-tle difference!). If you can't laugh with me, laugh at me!

The hamster has already been out in his ball, up his flume and all over his mega expensive mansion. This bloomin' pet is getting more exercise than me!

I am not sure what to do during this wait, I am feeling frustrated that the wait takes so long! I must lose a stone a.s.a.p. I think until New Year's Day I won't be able to take it all seriously. They are starting new RC classes in my area (that's Rosemary Conley, not Roman Catholic!) and I will be able to go three times a week! I must get fit then! Or should I just buy myself a massive hamster ball!

Still no af in almost 5 months so the donor is really the only hope aside from adoption for us.

Love to all.

SantasNutellaFairy · 29/12/2010 07:57

Um, greyhound?

I think you posted on the wrong thread?

Alouiseg · 29/12/2010 08:04

I remember this. Especially the hedgehog baked in clay, so that the prickles came off and the meat was edible. Then wiping hands in your hair to make it shiny!!

zeus123 · 29/12/2010 15:53

Me and my DD(10years) read this book and she specifically asked me to say thankyou for recommending this book and also that she absolutely loved it.

zeus123 · 29/12/2010 15:54

Sorry it should have been I (watching flusjed away, trying to write my thesis and MNing)

BalloonSlayer · 29/12/2010 16:08

I still remember this book (must still have a copy somewhere) and the TV series.

for Kizzy that she wanted to stay living with the Admiral and his staff but wasn't allowed to because they were men.

Greeninkmama · 04/01/2011 19:30

one of my all-time favourite books. also wanted to call my DD Kezia but my DH vetoed that one. Can't wait to read it to her.

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