Meghan, but not Meghan

Ellianne

Quentin Blake was Roald Dahl's illustrator.

Thanks - thought it might have been. Perfect for the content imo

Quentin Blake has also written his own charming books,my favourite being “Mr. Magnolia” which also doubles up as a counting book. My children absolutely loved it.

My two both enjoyed Prince Charles's book, as far as I can remember it wasn't trying to get a point across, just a story and all the profits went to the Prince's Trust.

I haven't read any of David Walliams' books but Ben Miller has written some good ones.

I was struck by the small type in the bits I've seen of Meghan's one. I can imagine the average small boy saying "Not that one again Mummy! can we read something exciting?"

My two oldest GSs are both deeply into Harry Potter, like Roald Dahl and the older one used to love Thomas the Tank Engine. Woe betide you if you got any of the names wrong!

merlotgran

A woman weeping at the window is something that would have to be explained to a small child. I suppose that’s where the author is coming from.

Heaven forbid a day should go by without a bit of introspection - Start ‘em young! ?

I think you're kind if right merlot. It is unusual for an adult writer to transfer their emotions to a young child who has no conception of these feelings? Luckily most of it goes over the top of their heads.
I know even at 18 when I studied the greats of literature I had no idea what they were on about in terms of love, war, death, loss, guilt, grief etc.

Ellianne

^This thread is nothing to do with children’s books but another nasty mean spirited excuse to carry on kicking Meghan.^

You are wrong there suziewoozie.

Oh no I’m not

I studied Tess of the D’urbervilles for A level and again later. It’s my all time favourite classic book.

maddyone

I studied Tess of the D’urbervilles for A level and again later. It’s my all time favourite classic book.

And don't you gain more from it later as a "proper" adult who has experienced more of life?

Little kids prefer fun, laughter, animals, magic, adventure ... not deep feelings. Their lives are simple, innocent.

The extracts I’ve seen are total doggerel. Really, really poor quality writing. It must be galling for decent writers who can’t find a publisher to see this stuff promoted.

An example page

Lucca

Celebs writing.....I don’t rate david Williams children’s books to be honest.

We may not but DGS loved them when he was younger, they must have appealed to his sense of humour at that age.

We did watch the film Gangsta Granny together, I enjoyed that.

I haven't seen this book by Meghan but it seems to be the 'in' thing to do.
No doubt it will sell because of who she is.
I find it a bit sad to cash in on fame if you have not much talent for fiction as there are so many good struggling authors out there.

Don't think this book would appeal to my 7 year old Grandaughter whose most adored books are 'Adventures of a Travelling Cat' by Giles Ekins and David Walliams 'Gangster Granny'.

Grandma70s publishers are interested in making money. If only the public didn't flock to buy anything that comes with a celebrity name on the front, perhaps unknown writers in all genres from cooking to zoology would prosper more. It must be so disheartening for talented writers to observe that celebrity offers a fast track over talent.

...don’t you gain more from it later as a ‘proper’ adult......

Yes indeed Ellianne but I did find it very emotive as an a young eighteen year old. I’ve read it several times and seen films and plays of it. It never fails to touch me. But of course it’s written for adults, and this thread is about children’s books. Better get back to that.

Rosie51

Grandma70s publishers are interested in making money. If only the public didn't flock to buy anything that comes with a celebrity name on the front, perhaps unknown writers in all genres from cooking to zoology would prosper more. It must be so disheartening for talented writers to observe that celebrity offers a fast track over talent.

I agree with this Rosie, but over time most celebs books fail.

Lucca

Celebs writing.....I don’t rate david Williams children’s books to be honest.

I have a friend who is a retired Primary School Headmistress. She is still involved in children’s books and indeed has been on judging panels for competitions. She is not keen on David Walliam’s books and thinks they are badly written. However, she reckons children love them!

Why do you have to be so hyperbolic?

Possibly the same reason as you sigh so much?

It’s a bit like Enid Blyton, always maligned by those in the know, but I loved them as a child, and now my seven year old granddaughter can’t get enough of them, despite having had a diet of very good children’s literature since babyhood.

Agree re Enid Blyton maddyone; I seem to recall that her books were frowned upon for a long time but they completely captured the imagination and attention of my children and now my GC. Personally, I feel that any book that encourages a child to read and enjoy books is a good book.

M is being accused of plagiarism now, comparing her book and similar illustrations to one by Corrinne Averiss called The Boy on the Bench.

Enid Blyton write some lovely books on nature study in her early days, but even as a child I thought her adventure stories and Famous Five etc very dull. What boring children! I much preferred Noel Streatfeild (Ballet Shoes etc) who wrote about fully formed characters who did interesting things.

I agree re David Walliams Callistemon, children seem to love them.

When one of my children was going through junior school, The Goosebumps series was very popular, so much so, the teacher at the time would often put notes in the children's reading diaries to the effect, "encourage your child to read something else, these books are very badly written!"

maddyone
Who is the author? HRH Meghan Duchess of Sussex ?

Daisendl
I know who the author is. Did I write that? Where and in relation to what?

I think I’ll stick with Julia Donaldson

Was that a pun ??

I love Stickman

I can’t find a post where I asked who the author is. Probably because I know who the author is.