Does anyone remember these children’s/young adults’ books?

[Cattenberg]

I can’t remember the authors or titles

The first is a picture book for young children about a dragon who grows too big for a house. I think the cover has a picture of the dragon sticking out of the doors and windows. I remember the illustration style as being similar to Pat Hutchins, especially Rosie’s Walk. The book was published sometime before the mid-90s.

The second is a novel about the Tate family. There are four girls: Kim, Frances, Kerry and Anna, who live with their divorced mum. Kim has a very high IQ but isn’t that bothered about school work. I don’t remember much about Frances. Kerry has red hair, is dyslexic and loves animals. Anna wants to be famous and gets a job on a children’s radio show.

The third book is a young adult novel set in a seaside town in France in the mid-80s. The main character is Mary, an English girl of about 16 who’s staying there. Mary dates a French boy called Joe, who later dies. I think two of the other characters were called Francine and Ziggy.

Hi.
There's no such thing as a dragon? Don't know the other 2.

2nd book is wall of words by Tim Kennemore

Wow, I think you’re both right, thank you!

I remember the third book I think OP… didn’t the boy die of meningitis? And she fancied/kissed an older man?

Yes definitely Wall of Words for the second one! Loved that when I was a child.

Is the French book Bonjour Tristesse?

I remember the third one, the boy dies of meningitis. I don't think his name is Joe. Maybe Jacques?

I really like Bonjour Tristesse! It isn’t the one I’m thinking of, though. I too thought the boy died of meningitis and I might well have got his name wrong.

I loved Wall of Words when I was about 10 or 11 and read it several times. Kerry was my favourite character.

Wall of Words sounds really good. I've heard the name and wonder if I have any of Tim Kennemore's books squirreled away - I have a set of shelvin. Wg crammed with children's and YA books, mostly my own from the 1970s and 1980s, but with a few later additions. I probably missed on reading her work because I would have been in my mid to late teens when her books started hitting library and bookshop shelves, plus a lot of my books were secondhand. Will have to look out in charity shops with a decent selection of older children's books, because this sounds like something I'd still enjoy in middle middle age.

Ooh I recognise the last book, but not sure of its name!

@elkiedee

Wall of Words sounds really good. I've heard the name and wonder if I have any of Tim Kennemore's books squirreled away - I have a set of shelvin. Wg crammed with children's and YA books, mostly my own from the 1970s and 1980s, but with a few later additions. I probably missed on reading her work because I would have been in my mid to late teens when her books started hitting library and bookshop shelves, plus a lot of my books were secondhand. Will have to look out in charity shops with a decent selection of older children's books, because this sounds like something I'd still enjoy in middle middle age.

The Fortunate Few was another favourite of mine by Tim Kennemore. It's set in a near future (prob now as think it was written in the 80s!) where gymnastics has replaced football as the most popular spectator sport and all the participants are young teenage girls. It's very clever.

Oh also “Here Tomorrow, Gone Today?”

I totally loved it. A collection of surreal tales - one of them was where looking old become trendy and all the girls dyed their hair grey.....!!!!

@FrozenVag

Oh also “Here Tomorrow, Gone Today?”

I totally loved it. A collection of surreal tales - one of them was where looking old become trendy and all the girls dyed their hair grey.....!!!!

That story is very clever and (in my view) has a parallel with a current social contagion going on among teenage girls!

I remember the third book too but have no idea what it was called! Remember crying buckets though.

I think the third one is Please Don't Go by Peggy Woodford. I remember it vividly too, and also cried buckets.

romanziere

Yes!! That’s the one!

I remember one I used to love about a girl that did an advert called Kelly kid, i wish I knew what it was called.

@romanziere you're a star. That's been driving me crazy this week. Off to Abe and eBay...

@Bipbopbee

romanziere

Yes!! That’s the one!

Blimey that brings back memories!!

The dragon of an ordinary family, by Margaret Mahy. Great book.

Just coming on to recommend 'Changing Times' by Tim Kennemore for those who enjoyed Wall of Words and The Fortunate Few. It's a time-travel story but not futuristic or sci-fi-esque if that makes sense.

Ah yes Changing Times, I forgot about that one! Also very clever.