Does anybody remember the Mary Plain books?

[sparkysparkysparky]

Mary Plain books are out of print. I picked up a couple of bashed about ones on eBay for Dd (8) as a bit of light relief. I loved them as a kid in the 70s. DD is enjoying them.
Seen them on ebay for hideous money for collectors. I wondered if any of you remember this series.

Yes, I've still got my Mary Plain omnibus

Have a look on ebay and wince at how much they appear to be going for. Clasp your omnibus to your bosom!
Note to dm: this is why we don't throw books out!

Yes! About a little bear I think? I had forgotten all about them until now. they obviously didn't make it into my box of must be kept books

I loved the Mary Plain books when I was little, and bought a couple of the reissued hardbacks to read to my DCs about a decade ago. They weren't interested .

My DM adored them as a little girl (in the 30s) but I don't think she had any copies to read to me. I think they must have been reissued about 20 years ago, because eventually she got a whole lot of them.

Yes, I have them all

Oh yes! and Pookie the little rabbit with wings!

Loved them! I never had any though, we borrowed them from the library.

I was introduced to Mary Plain by our class teacher reading to us at primary school, then I too borrowed them from our local library. Eventually I started to buy them for myself as I just loved reading and re-reading them. I dug them out from the loft and read them to my DD's too, when they were small.

She was from the bear pits in Berne. Her friend was The Owl Man!
Oh the memories!

And when she was feeling homesick she used to ask the Owl Man "Do you think the Twins are happy without me?". I picked up a cheap charity shop copy of one a couple of years ago, I loved them as a child.

I had a couple. My DH has read them too and occasionally calls me Mary Plain still :)

I loved Mary Plain. I only have a copy of one of them, can't even remember which tbh. The owl man was great.

Ooh yes, lovely books! I loved Mary Plain, and even more than Paddington!
'I'm Mary Plain, an unusual first-class bear cub from the bear-pits at Berne and I've got a white rosette and a gold medal with a picture of myself on it.' The Owl Man, the Fur-Coat-Lady, Mary's 'pomes', meringues, Mary's very special writing....a shame they are no longer in print. I have picked up copies in charity shops and on Ebay - you can get the occasional bargain!

I loved these books and used to get them from the local library over and over again. Have never seen them since the early 80's though :(

I adore Mary Plain and have about 6 or 7 of the books. I am recollecting after my sister threw out my childhood collection a few years ago. Not that I am bitter. Or even furious.
Mary's "svisits" and her bathing suit to add to Mrs Smilings memories.
Brilliantly funny.

"I dance like a fairy, I'm lovely and hairy, my name is Mary Plain".
"Mary Plain from the Bear Pits at Berne".

Loved the one I had and only recently realised there was a whole series. Trying to buy them up piecemeal but they are pricey!

Nice link.
If you are looking for MP books do put a search on Ebay - I got alerts for any new listings including 'Mary Plain' and found a few nice copies at a reasonable price. Mainly the 1970s Red Knight paperbacks, and a couple of older hardbacks, all at £5-£10. Worth every penny!