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Books that you read/had read to you as child that you really loved?

(170 Posts)
Trisha57 Sun 22-Mar-20 20:00:21

When I was 7, in Junior School, our teacher read a book called "The Twelve and the Genii" which was our first book with proper chapters in it. It was a wonderful story about a family that moves into the Bronte's former home and their discovery of tin soldiers under the floorboards that had belonged to Branwell Bronte and his sisters. The soldiers come to life and go on adventures in the house. What book inspired others as children?

Smiddy Wed 25-Mar-20 17:47:31

The Abbey School series by EJ Oxenham and the Farm School series by Josephine Elder - anyone else remember them? And I still have my mother’s copy of The Mammoth Wonder Book, her Christmas present from my Nan in 1935; it’s a compilation of poems, fables, extracts from famous books -it introduced me to masses of things that I would never have seen otherwise and I loved it

Lizbethann55 Wed 25-Mar-20 17:32:36

annma I had forgotten about the Bobsy twins! I used to read those. I think that was the first time I came across the idea of snow angels

BoBo53 Wed 25-Mar-20 17:22:03

Loved Millie Mollie Mandy books which fascinates my granddaughter Mollie who has a best friend called Millie and her favourite doll at our house is her Auntie Jenny's doll called Mandy. As a teenager I loved the Jalna books by Mazo de la Roche about the Whiteoak family set in Canada. Recently on holiday found a couple of the chronicle in the wonderful second hand book shop in Alnwick.

HK55 Wed 25-Mar-20 17:02:50

For me it was Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. It always seemed like you were either a Famous Five or a Secret Seven fan but rarely both.
Later on I loved the Chalet School books

Codyodo Wed 25-Mar-20 17:01:52

The Phoenix and the Carpet, must read it again ?

Annma Wed 25-Mar-20 16:57:58

I loved the Bobbsy Twins series , Just William,all of Enid Blyton especially the Famous Five. When my taste in books matured I enjoyed The Silver Sword,the Chalet school series and Black Beauty.

3dognight Wed 25-Mar-20 16:54:44

Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, The Silver Brumby series, I was horsey.

The book that made the most impression on me was one that my mum read to me aged eleven or twelve, we sat together at the kitchen table after she had put 'the little ones' to bed.

It was called 'Snowflake' by Paul Gallico.

Has anyone else read this as a child?

Conni7 Wed 25-Mar-20 16:45:24

Angela Brazil, Anne of Green Gables, Just William, Enid Blyton. I'd never heard of Beatrix Potter until I married my late husband. He was into Kipling: Just So stories, Jungle Book etc.

GrammaH Wed 25-Mar-20 16:42:59

f77ms the Owl Service certainly was very weird! It was a tv series as well as a book and it took some following. I've seen it again recently & still found it unsettling.

Gemini17892 Wed 25-Mar-20 16:42:07

Tinafl Another vote for Black Beauty. I remember Friday afternoons sitting on the floor listening to Mrs Richardson. I recently bought it for my grandchildren and I had a lump in my throat when I read it. That’s the thing I miss most about the isolation - not being able to read stories. I did start my own private You Tube channel for this but it’s a poor substitute.

GrammaH Wed 25-Mar-20 16:40:50

Bluecat I loved Stig of the Dump! My 6 year old DGS has just finished reading it & he loved it too. Apart from this, I enjoyed just about all the books mentioned as I was forever reading and still am. I liked historical stories & enjoyed 3 by Cynthia Barnett- The Woolpack, The Great House & one set in Caxton's time about printing. I loved a series about a family of children going from London to stay on Fell Farm with relatives over the holidays - I was in awe that they went all that way in the train by themselves! And of course those lucky children in the Arthur Ransome books - Swallows & Amazon's etc - I devoured those eagerly, marvelling at what they got up to with no adults to spoil things!

f77ms Wed 25-Mar-20 16:37:09

I loved the My naughty little sister series, worzel gummage and Mrs Pepper pot. I remember a book called A dog so small which I found disturbing, I would love to read it now to see why. My husband read all the Alan garner books to me when I was pregnant and not well, The Owl service disturbed me! I wonder how books can do that or is it just me!

Wheniwasyourage Wed 25-Mar-20 16:30:47

lulusmf, could the ones you are thinking of be The Tree That Sat Down and The Stream That Stood Still? I think they were by Beverly Nichols. They were about a girl who lived with her grandmother and I can't remember their names. They collected and sold Sleepo. I'll try to remember more, but don't hold your breath, with the way my mind works now!

Bluecat Wed 25-Mar-20 16:13:29

Anyone remember Stig of the Dump? Teacher read it to us when we were in the last year at junior school. I was so bored. I do remember The Silver Sword being very popular.

sodapop Wed 25-Mar-20 15:58:39

I remember Gerry goes to School as well Ellieann, loved it.
Noel Streatfeild BalletShoes etc.
An Enid Blyton series - Rockingdown Mystery, Rilloby Fair Mystery another group of children with a dog called Loony.

Deed5y Wed 25-Mar-20 15:48:34

Did anyone read a series called The Happy Hollisters? American series, I think .

GeorgyGirl Wed 25-Mar-20 15:45:23

Rosanna Joins the Wells by Lorna Hill
Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys
What Katy Did, What Katy Did Next
Bear Country
Beaver Valley
Grimm's Fairy Tales
The Little Princesses

lulusmf Wed 25-Mar-20 15:30:29

2 books by Beverly Nichols, but I'm blowed if I can remember the titles. I sat up all night reading them the first time!

Sulis Wed 25-Mar-20 15:29:05

Winnie the Pooh, Enid Blyton 's Famous Five and Griselda and the Cuckoo Clock.

Ellie Anne Wed 25-Mar-20 15:26:35

Enid Blyton especially Mallory towers.
I read a book called Run away home over and over. No idea who wrote it.
Gerry goes to school by Elinor Brent dyer

SeaWatcher Wed 25-Mar-20 15:06:59

I loved Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree books.

Dancinggran Wed 25-Mar-20 15:00:43

I remember our teacher reading a book called 'On the Oregan Trail' it was written by a Dutch author and recounted the journey of a pioneering family across America in a covered wagon. I think it was serialised in a magazine at the time (probably about 1964) although I did eventually get the book. I myself loved The Magic Faraway Tree, the Heidi books, What Katie Did and Little Women

Lizbethann55 Wed 25-Mar-20 14:28:40

Juliet27 and M0nica I also remember Pooky so well. I remember borrowing them from our local library. I now work in that same library. A few years ago I managed to find and buy a copy of the first "Pooky" book.

Onwardsandupwards Wed 25-Mar-20 14:06:55

A dog so small, by Phillipa Pearce ❤️

angie95 Wed 25-Mar-20 13:44:26

Enid Blyton, Paddington, The Moomins, Wind in the Willows The Family from One End Street The Flambards books,