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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Children's books set in Cornwall

37 replies

Orlando · 31/07/2012 14:39

Driving down to St Ives at the end of the week, and trying to think of books to download from Audible to make the journey and sitting for hours in traffic jams pass more quickly. Have got the latest Ingo installment, and a Lauren St John one (Dead Man's Cove?) but wondered if anyone could suggest anything else? It's mainly for youngest dd (10) as the older ones will be plugged into ipods, though last year it became apparent that they'd been stealthily listening all along when they both cried at the end of War Horse. Any suggestions gratefully received.

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CaroleService · 31/07/2012 14:50

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper.

Most of the Famous Five books seem to be set in a Cornwall-alike

maples · 31/07/2012 14:55

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mistlethrush · 31/07/2012 15:05

I think Itch by Simon Mayo was in Cornwall? I don't know whether there's an audio version yet, but its really exciting.

Orlando · 31/07/2012 15:27

Oh brilliant - thanks so much for all these. Over Sea, Under Stone and the Knights of the Round Table sound pretty spot on, and Itch is definitely worth looking out for as last year they all loved Antony Horowitz (the older 2 revisiting it from years before).

That link is absolutely fantastic maples - off to look in more detail now for myself

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BlueChampagne · 31/07/2012 15:39

"When the Whales Came" is set in Scilly if that's close enough.

Ormiriathomimus · 31/07/2012 15:40

Green Smoke. Maybe a bit young for a 10yr old but really good. I loved it and so did my kids.

MadameCholetWasMyFavourite · 31/07/2012 15:50

The Green Smoke series by Rosemary Manning is about a dragon who lives in a cave in Constantine Bay (near Padstow) and befriends a young girl on holiday. I read these as a child and my 10 year old (dragon obsessed) daughter devoured the series this year.

MadameCholetWasMyFavourite · 31/07/2012 15:50

xpost Ormiriathomimus - that will teach me for not trusting myself to remember the author's name.

Orlando · 31/07/2012 16:05

ooh yes, forgot that one BlueChampagne. My eldest read it years ago, but it's definitely one to go back to.

And thanks for the Green Smoke rec, Ormiriathomimus and MadameCholet (she was my favourite too). Think I'll order that one in paperback and hope it gets here in time. Am anticipating weather isn't going to be that great while we're there, so plenty of reading material will be required!

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wearymum200 · 31/07/2012 21:00

The wreck of the zanzibar is another michael morpurgo set in scilly. Ds1 has been reading "the wreckers" by iain lawrence, but not sure it's available as an audiobook.
Can't remember when I started reading daphne du maurier, but was only 11 I think, so if jamaica inn or the king's general are audiobooks, they might be good?

GobblersKnob · 31/07/2012 21:02

It' s picture book, but not young iykwim? 'The Sand Horses' is based on an artist who lived in St Ives.

GobblersKnob · 31/07/2012 21:04

Oh and we will be there at the same time as you

Only I am visiting family, not so good. If you see a woman in a mn scafr trailing around, looking like this --> it is probably me, wave a pom bear Grin

Orlando · 31/07/2012 22:52

Am really loving all these suggestions - thanks loads. Saw the Iain Lawrence one on maples' link wearymum - looks good, wonder if I'll be able to find it in a local bookshop. I think all mine have read the Zanzibar - MM is a perrenial favourite. I was going to push Jamaica Inn into dd1's bag, but will have a look for The King's General too - haven't come across that, so big thanks for the suggestion.

Just looked up The Sand Horse on Amazon, Gobblers - looks absolutely fab (sniff). Shall be exchanging meaningful looks with all pom bear-carriers, but what is this mn scarf of which you speak? I've been here for more years than I care to count, but am such an erratic poster it could easily have passed me by [out of touch emoticon]

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GobblersKnob · 01/08/2012 07:29

Mn scarf here, easy to miss if you don't hang out in S&B, though, bit of a cult thing.

Don't know if you have been to St. Ives before, but there is a brilliant bookshop at the end of Fore Street which carries everything 'local' and has all the kids stuff, the owners are lovely, worth going for a browse.

Orlando · 01/08/2012 07:58

Ahhh - that scarf (eagerly tries to re-establish S&B credentials). Back in my most regular posting days mners were identified by bat motifs (can't for the life of me remember why) or the GF 'babies on rockets' t-shirts. Scarf is much more easily incorporated into normal dressing.

We used to go to St Ives a lot when I was a kid as my grandfather was a vicar in a church outside Penzance, but it's been YEARS since I was there last. Great to know about the bookshop, and to have some titles to look out for. I love a locally set holiday book, me. Thanks for all the replies.

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Cassettetapeandpencil · 01/08/2012 08:03

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GobblersKnob · 01/08/2012 12:40

Hmmft at Cassettetapeandpencil

I think you will find the book reads 'They say in in the Cornish way 'Mouzel', but you may say it as you choose'.

Grin
GobblersKnob · 01/08/2012 12:42

Orlando, bat motifs? What something like this??? GrinGrin

Cassettetapeandpencil · 01/08/2012 12:52

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jopaca · 01/08/2012 13:14

Over Sea Under Stone by Susan Cooper is brilliant, might seem a bit dated at first but perfect for that age group.

BlueChampagne · 01/08/2012 13:54

Thank you everyone for reminding me of Green Smoke! Also loved Susan Cooper. Happy memories Smile

BlueChampagne · 01/08/2012 14:00

Troy Town by Arthur Quiller-Couch might be one for you, or to read aloud. Also Armorel of Lyonesse (Walter Besant).

reshetima · 01/08/2012 20:35

Apple Bough by Noel Streatfeild is delightful and set partly in London and partly either in Devon or Cornwall (cannot remember and no info online). See www.whitegauntlet.com.au/noelstreatfeild/ChildFiction/BooksAppleBough.htm for more info.

reshetima · 01/08/2012 20:36

With working link www.whitegauntlet.com.au/noelstreatfeild/ChildFiction/BooksAppleBough.htm

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 02/08/2012 00:53

There's Ingo and The Tide Knot. I forget who they're by, they are about two children who discover they are half merpeople.

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