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Children's books

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Does anybody remember the Mary Plain books?

19 replies

sparkysparkysparky · 23/04/2015 10:19

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.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 23/04/2015 10:25

Yes, I've still got my Mary Plain omnibus

sparkysparkysparky · 23/04/2015 10:27

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!

OP posts:
Seeline · 23/04/2015 10:31

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 Sad

exexpat · 23/04/2015 10:32

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 Sad.

IndridCold · 23/04/2015 16:55

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.

PestoSwimissimos · 23/04/2015 16:56

Yes, I have them all Smile

Greenteandchives · 23/04/2015 16:57

Oh yes! and Pookie the little rabbit with wings!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 23/04/2015 16:59

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

PestoSwimissimos · 23/04/2015 17:02

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.

Greenteandchives · 23/04/2015 17:18

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

Bloodybridget · 23/04/2015 20:47

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.

Failedspinster · 25/04/2015 21:31

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

AtomicDog · 25/04/2015 21:33

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

mrssmiling · 26/04/2015 11:20

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! Smile

FlouncyMcFlouncer · 26/04/2015 18:50

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 :(

SoldierBear · 03/05/2015 22:05

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.

EmilyAlice · 07/05/2015 16:25

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

Sukebind · 23/05/2015 22:10

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

mrssmiling · 24/05/2015 15:35

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! Grin

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