The issue ofHUmoUR

and Lis iriendsT3ill Barnacle dSam TO 2 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 Reviewers - the magazine of the in this issue Editor's Page 3 School Bookshop Association News and comment from the Editor MARCH 1981 No. 7 Whatever Makes You Laugh 4 Lance Salway talks about humorous books and recommends titles to raise some ISSN: 0143-909X necessary laughter Editor: Pat Triggs Designer: Alec Davis Typsetting by: Curtis Typesetting, Reviews 7 Gloucester Printed by: Surrey Fine Arts, Redhill Paperback Surrey Nursery/Infant Jill Bennett infant/Junior Editorial correspondence: Jill is an infant teacher, currently on a Lower Junior Pat Triggs course at the Institute of Education in Junior/Middle 36 Ravenswood Road London. She is Literary Editor of Child Middle/Secondary Bristol, Avon, BS6 6BW Education and on the Board of the SBA. Tel: 0272 49048 Hardback 11 New titles for new readers Subscriptions and advertising: Richard Hill Asterix and his Creators 12 1 Effingham Road Anthea Bel) talks about Translating Lee, London, SE12 8NZ Goscinny and Tony Bradman meets Uderzo Tel: 01 -852 4953 ©School Bookshop Association 1981 Authorgraph No, 7 14 No. 7 March 1981 Beverly Cleary Registered office: National Book League, Book House, Steve Bowles How to ... Stock your 17 45 East Hill, Wandsworth, London SW18. Steve was a secondary English teacher and co-producer of Reviewsheet until it ceased Bookshop publication. He is now writing full-time. Brian Joyce recommends learning from All photographs, unless otherwise credited, the customers by Richard Mewton.

If I had some money I would 18 buy this book . _ can be obtained Children look at non-fiction on subscription by sending a cheque or postal order to the Subscription Secretary, Is Everything Dandy with 20 SBA, 1 Effingham Road, Lee, London SE12 8NZ. Beano? Tel: 01 -852 4953 Brian. Walsh and Nicholas Tucker consider comics Annual subscription for six issues: £4.50 UK, £7.50 overseas. Colin Mills (left) News 22 Single copies direct from the SBA: Colin is in the Division of Teaching Studies at 75p UK, £1.25 overseas. Worcester College, where he helps run a Diploma in Children's Literature. He's taught Opinion 24 in a comprehensive school, a primary school Steve Bowles swipes at Celebrity Snares and worked in radio. Published by the Bill Boyle (right) Sound and Vision 25 School Bookshop Association Bill teaches in Middle School in Wirral. He News and views about books on radio, TV was founding Deputy Editor of Junior and films with the help of Lloyds Bank, Education. six times a year. You Tell Me 26 Roger McGough and Michael Rosen prove that poetry can be fun too

SBA news 28

Cathy Lister Cathy teaches in a middle school in Staffordshire, with responsibility for English and Language across the Curriculum.

LOOKING AHEAD In the May issue we are going to town on Poetry and Picture Books. Front cover illustrations: Burtyio Bluegum & friends, Nurse Matilda and Mat Stanley, see pages 4 & 5; Dandy, Beano and Topper Plus news, reviews and all our characters, see pages 20 & 21; Asterix, regular features. pages 12 & 13. David Bennett David (no relation to Jill) is a-former librarian, and currently Head of English in a Nottinghamshire secondary school. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 3 EDITOR'S PAGE

You'd think producing an issue of Full of humour, she is also the magazine on the theme of perceptive and thoughtful, humour would be one long laugh. I especially about children and what should have known — they say we are doing to them. She talked humour is a serious business. about a recent visit to New Zealand, We've hovered between disaster 'I left there feeling that we don't do and farce (more about the farce well by children in the USA. In later); but as in all good stories it New Zealand they were such good all came right in the end, and here's listeners. When I talk with children Books for Keeps No. 7 with lots of at home they are so busy thinking ideas, information and comment. about themselves and their Available in hardback questions that they don't listen to Ann Thwaite wrote to us about Seriously though .., the answers.' That sounded all too another anthology, her own All What about comics? Have you familian Then there was her story Sorts of Poems, recommended in noticed that children invariably of meeting children fishing for the Magnet paperback edition in read them with dead pan faces? Not minnows by the Thames, When Books for Keeps 6. 'I think I a smile in sight. Adults still get asked what they were doing, the should point out, in justice to the steamed up about them. Only a few boys were friendly and forthcoming, publisher who took on the book in weeks ago a contributor to the keen to explain; the girls' response the first place, and to help any Sunday Times suggested that the was, 'We're not doing anything school librarian who can actually glorification of naughtiness and wrong, Miss.' Food for thought? afford hardbacks, that it is also anti-social behaviour in comics was Beverly Cleary wrote the Henry available in a rather sumptuous having a bad effect on kids. We Muggins books in the Fifties but edition with sepia illustrations from asked Nicholas Tucker what he they have only recently been Angus and Robertson at £3.95.' thinks. (See page 20) available here. In April Hamish In the same article Bill Boyle also Still contemplating comics we Hamilton publish a third title, mentioned Hist Whist!, out of print discovered that Uderzo, the man Henry in the Clubhouse, and in Piccolo but still available in who draws Asterix, was making a Fontana Lions promise Henry and hardback from Evans, rare visit to this country. Beezus in the autumn. There's also a new Ramona book on the way. In our next issue We despatched Tony Bradman, All of which brings me very neatly who claims to speak fluent French • New in this issue to the next issue which is about (Is there no limit to the man's Opinion (page 24) is a new feature Poetry and Picture Books. Michael talents?) to interview him. (See which we intend to run regularly. Rosen, Quentin Blake, Eleanor page 13). Space to blow your top is what we Farjeon, David McKee are just a Asterix has millions of fans, not offer. We shall be inviting people to few of the people featured. To whet least of which, we hear, was the contribute but if you have your appetites three first-class late President De Gaulle. He something to say just sharpen your picture books are published this enjoyed Asterix so much that at pencil (or your stiletto) and get month. The Most Amazing Hide- one cabinet meeting in the Elysee writing. Who better to start us off and-Seek Counting Book (Kestrel, Palace he called the register of than Steve Bowles? £4.50) is Robert Crowther's follow- ministers (something he did at up to his Alphabet book, and is, if every meeting; they had to say • Getting started . . . Keeping going possible even more inventive. In the 'present') using the names of New too, and now available is the same pop-up, move-around style is characters from the Asterix books. completely re-designed and re- Eric Carle's The Honey Bee and Uderzo says a minister who was written SBA Handbook, How to the Robber (Julia MacRae, £4.50), present told him the story. I've been Set Up and Run a School a story/information book in the wondering how they worked out Bookshop. We think it's pretty same tradition as his Very Hungry who he thought was which! good (well, really actually) Caterpillar, The extra large pages One person who has no trouble and we know it's full of good, of Peter Spier's People (Worlds with language is Anthea Bell. I've practical ideas because we got them Work, £4.95) are literally crammed long admired her translations and from people who have made them was delighted when she agreed to work. Every bookshop should have write about Translating Goscinny, one. (For details see page 28) (Page 12) Unfortunately there Coming soon for those just getting wasn't space to include anything going, Starter Lists with suggestions about Nicholas, a Goscinny for your opening stock. character who never fails to make me laugh. • Never the twain shall meet? Or so it seemed when I spent the It says for 7-10 year olds on the best part of a week in February not books; but that didn't seem to stop meeting Roger McGough. (I said 150 parents and teachers we'd get to the farce later.) The appreciating the jokes in Dad first time there was I ringing the Makes the Decisions (the first bell of his flat in the Fulham Road; chapter of Nicholas on Holiday) there was he sitting around at with all sorts and conditions of when I read it to them recently. Penguin hoping someone would tell There's also Nicholas and the people. A super book which Gang and Nicholas and the Gang him what he was there for. The celebrates the sheer variety of Again — all from Beaver, second time he was in his flat; but I human kind. was stuck at the printers — and so A Family Favourite it went on. In the end he went to Happy Easter • Going to meet the author of a Australia. But he did send a letter T favourite book is always a little must oil my digeridoo and put on worrying. What if he or she turns my kangaroo repellent lotion', and out to be everything you hate? promised to write for us later in the Wouldn't it be better not to know? year. So watch out. When the author is someone who We wanted to talk to him about has united your whole family in You Tell Me (page 26) and also helpless laughter there is somehow his smashing new anthology of more at risk; so my feelings about poetry Strictly Private (Kestrel, meeting Beverly Cleary were 0 7221 5697, £4.95) which he certainly mixed. I needn't have hopes will speak 'to the ninety-nine worried. She was delightful. (How percent of kids who do not come could I have imagined the creator top in English'. It's certainly worth of Ramona would be anything else?) a try. 4 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Lance Salway suggests it's simply Whatever Makes You Laugh

Ogden Nash, in one of his wry poems, once observed that 'In this foolish world there is nothing more numerous / Than different people's senses of humorous.' This is very true, of course, but there is nothing more numerous either than attempts by psychologists and philosophers (Freud and Kant and Aristotle among them) to define and explain humour, and to establish exactly what it is that makes people laugh, and why. As far as I know, no one has yet succeeded in nailing down a convincing explanation of humour but Alvin Schwartz, a noted American folklorist, has offered a definition that is as good as any: 'Humour is the comic quality in a person, experience, or idea that makes one laugh.' To children — and adults, too — this 'comic quality' can vary enormously. They will laugh at anything, from trick conundrums ('What is yellow and dangerous?' 'Shark infested custard.') to rude limericks ('A musical student from Sparta . . .'), and from sly pain-inflicting rhymes ('Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me') to so-called sick jokes ('Mummy, mummy, why do I keep on walking in circles?' Lance Salway trained as a librarian and worked as a children's and schools librarian in North London before going to Longman's Young 'Shut up, or I'll nail your other foot to the floor!' They Books as an editor. He is now a freelance writer, editor, translator, and will even fall about at the sound of a single word — reviewer of children's books. 'knickers', for example — if it is uttered in an unsuitable Recently out in paperback is Forger* {Puffin, 0 1403.11149, 95p), an place by an unlikely person. But although these varied information book for juniors about famous and remarkable frauds, comic stimuli may provoke a humorous response, they do counterfeiters, fakes and deceivers, taking in the Great Barnum, not provoke it equally. We do not all laugh at the same Piltdown Man, Van Meegeren, and Major Martin, the man who never things. Only television studio audiences do that. Why is it was. then that a stand-up comedian or a film or a book will Lance Salway lives in Sherborne, Dorset, with his social worker wife. make one person laugh but not another? Why does Humorous Books for Children is a Signal Booklist recently revised in Frankie Howerd make me laugh but not my wife? Why a second edition. It is available from The Thimble Press, Lockwood, Station Road, South Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 BEQ, don't I find Laurel and Hardy amusing, and why does the and from the NBL, Book House, 45 East Hill, Wandsworth, London humour of P.G. Wodehouse leave me cold (mind you, I SW18 2QZ. Price £1.10. Also available is an NBL touring exhibition of loved his books when I was twelve or so)? What Jo people the books on the list. Details from the NBL. see in Max Bygraves? Why is there such a gap between 'different people's senses characters like Nurse Matilda and Jacob Two-Two of humorous'? Whatever the reason (and I don't intend to (Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Mordecai suggest an explanation), a wide variety of humorous Richler) and Josh McBroom, (McBroom's Wonderful children's books exist to satisfy the human need for One-Acre Farm, Sid Fleischman) a rich variety of laughter. Most picture books for young children contain a amusing writing awaits their enjoyment, culminating in degree of humour, for authors and artists are well aware the more subtle, sophisticated — and mainly trans- that comedy is an easy way to capture the attention of the atlantic — comedies of Betsy Byars and Judy Blume, of child and to illustrate the idea that books can mean Anne Fine and Paul Zindel. enjoyment. It has been suggested, though, that few small Yet, despite their popularity with young readers — or children really recognise humour as such. A child who is because of it? — funny books are not really respectable. meeting conventional language and experiences for the They never have been. It is not for nothing that the most first time will lack the ability to distinguish the congruous popular and despised reading matter for children is called from the incongruous, or to separate fact from fantasy. a comic. And it is all too often assumed that if a story is Young children take stories seriously, and the adventures amusing then it cannot possibly be Worthy or Improving of, say, the elephant and the bad baby or naughty Nancy, or Good Literature. Funny books do sometimes win the bad bridesmaid, may seem exciting and strange to awards (Penelope Lively's The Ghost of Thomas them but not particularly funny. And, of course, much of Kempe, for example, and E.L. Konigsburg's From the the visual and verbal humour in many picture books is Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler) but not aimed over the child's head at the adult reader-aloud, or is very often. As Marcus Crouch once observed on this included as a private joke of the artist or author. Without subject, 'Our self-conscious concern for Children's such jokes, though, the mind of the strongest parent or Literature either as a vehicle for social theory or as an art teacher might well buckle beneath the sheer banality of form, gets in the way.' Every now and again Children's many books for the younger child. Literature and Humour do combine to splendid effect — It is when they reach seven or eight years old that children look at The Strange Affair of Adelaide Harris and The begin to properly appreciate the wealth of humorous Eighteenth Emergency and The Piemakers (Helen books available to them. Beginning with the robust Cresswell) — but all two often the twain do not meet. If comedy of Paddington Bear and The Magic Pudding, some of our more prestigious children's writers could be and moving on to the hilarious adventures of human persuaded to amuse their readers for a change, then we BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 5

would have better funny books and funnier good books. choice of amusing reading, intended for those parents and teachers who are looking for funny books to recommend or Compiling a descriptive list of humorous children's books, read aloud, and for those people who, like me, feel that as I have done, can present unusual problems. Other book humour has for too long been neglected as a significant lists, whether they be of multi-cultural books or learning- factor in children's enjoyment of books. to-read books or fairy tales or award winners, are all based Children's senses of humorous may well be numerous but on easily defined and easily recognised criteria of then so are children's books. Difficulty only arises when selection. But opinions differ as to whether and to what one attempts to match one with the other. With any luck, extent any book is funny, and the degree to which children Humorous Books for Children will help with this. At the will be amused by it, if at all. All I had to guide me was my very least, I hope that it may be a step in the right direction. own enjoyment of the books I chose, and my own After all, laughter is one of the necessities of life, and it is experience or estimation of their effect on young readers. only right that it should be one of the necessities of reading Humorous Books for Children is therefore a personal too. • Some Necessary Laughter From his list Humorous Books for Children Lance Salway has chosen My Uncle Podger, Jerome K. Jerome, adapted and illustrated by twenty books with assorted kinds of laugh appeal. Wallace Tripp, Dent, 0 460 06782 6, £3.95 (Currently out of print). Wallace Tripp has raided the third chapter of Three Men in a Boat for Books for younger children come first; but we have resisted grouping the story of bombastic Uncle Podger's disastrous attempts to hang a them by age of reader/listener because the great thing about funny books picture, and transformed the characters into late Victorian rabbits in the is that at their best they cross all age barriers. That's why they are good process. Jerome's humour hasn't dated at all, and Tripp's pictures are for sharing. hilarious. The Magic Pudding, Norman Lindsay, Angus and Robertson, 0 207 Up and Up, Shirley Hughes, Bodley Head, 0 370 30179 X, £3.50. 94392 3, £4.50 (Puffin paperback, 0 14 03.0098 8, 60p). A small finds that she is able to fly and proceeds to lead a mob of A fast and furious Australian classic in which Bunyip Bluegum, Bill astonished adults a merry dance around the town until she comes to earth Barnacle and Sam Sawnoff attempt to protect a magic pudding called with a bump. An enchanting story, told without words, and illustrated Albert from 'puddin* thieves'. Good for reading aloud, but only if you with humorously detailed drawings. can manage the accent. Benjamin and Tulip, Rosemary Wells, Kestrel, 0 7226 5253 4, £1.95. The Fox Busters, Dick King-Smith, illustrated by Jon Miller, Victor 'Every time Benjamin passed Tulip's house, she said, "I'm gonna beat Goliancz, 0 575 02444 5, £3.25 (Puffin paperback, 0 14 03,1175 0, you up." And she did.' Benjamin gets his own back in the end, though, in 75p). a very simple story about two raccoons. A refreshing comedy set on a farm about a running feud between Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, chickens and marauding foxes. The account of how the foxes are finally Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz, Angus and Robertson, defeated by a blitz of hard-boiled egp laid by dive-bombing hens in mid- 0207 95485 2, £2.95. flight is highly ingenious and very funny. The succession of disasters which overtake Alexander on one awful day will be familiar to all children who, like him, quarrel with their best The Great Ghost Rescue, Eva Ibbotson, illustrated by Simon Stern, friend, go to the dentist and have beans for dinner when they hate beans. Macmillan, 0 333 17625 1, £3.95. Humphrey the ghost is a disappointment to his loathsome family (his Father Christmas, Raymond Briggs, Hamish Hamilton, mother is a Hag smelling of unwashed armpits and very old feet) but it is 0 241 02260 6, £3.50 (Picture Puffin paperback, 0 14 050.125 8, he who saves the day when the ghosts of England are driven from their £1.10). familiar haunts by modem progress. Do not on any account miss this A day in the life of the old codger, told in bright comic-strip style. A hilarious book. glorious picture book that young children return to again and again. Nurse Matilda, Christianna Brand, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, The Wild Washerwomen, John Yeoman, illustrated by Quentin Blake, Hodder and Stoughton, 0 340 03702 4 £2.50 (Knight paperback — Hamish Hamilton, 0 240 89928 1, £3.95. August 1981,0340 174625, 85p), A raucous tale of seven washerwomen who rebel against their tight-fisted A classic comedy about a vast Victorian family of very wicked children employer and run joyfully amok all over town until they settle down with (thirty-six, all told) and how they are brought to heel by the ferociously seven jovial woodcutters. -*%&L vO, ugly Nurse Matilda. Ideal for reading aloud.

Two of the 'Wild The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson, illustrated by Washerwoman' Judith Gwyn Brown, Faber and Faber, 0 571 10593 9, £3.50 (Beaver paperback, entitled The Worst Kids in the World, 0 600 3 45 26 2,60p). The sharp and hilarious account of a large family of deprived children who, following a misunderstanding, take over the main parts in the annual nativity play. Something different to read aloud at Christmas. The Eighteenth Emergency, Betsy Byars, Bodley Head, 0 370 10924 4, £2.75 (Puffin paperback, 0 14 03.0863 6, 70p). How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen, Russell A sympathetic study of a boy faced with real fear (attack by the biggest Hoban, illustrated by Quentin Blake, Jonathan Cape, 0 224 00999 0, boy in the school) who summons up the courage he needs to face the £3.50 (Picture Puffin paperback, 0 14 050.244 0, 70p). situation. The story is told with all the humour and understanding that Tom's iron-hatted maiden aunt tries to tame him by sending for Captain are typical of this fine American writer. Najork and his hired sportsmen, but they are no match for Tom, the Wilkins* Tooth, Diana Wynne Jones, illustrated by Julia Rodber, greatest fooler-around and mucker-about that there is. The magnificent Macmillan, 0 333 14548 8, £3.95 (Puffin paperback, 0 14 03.0765 6, nonsense of the story is ideally matched by Blake's wild and wonderful 60p). pictures. Frank and Jess start a small firm called Own Back Ltd. ('Revenge Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown, illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, Methuen (Read Arranged') in order to supplement their pocket money, and are Aloud Books), 0 416 80360 1, £3.25 (Magnet paperback, immediately drawn into a tangled adventure. A highly original, highly 0416 57290 l,55p). enjoyable comedy for top juniors. Young Stanley Lambchop is squashed flat when a bulletin board falls on The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler, Gene Kemp, illustrated by Carolyn his bed one night. Much of the humour hi this splendidly idiotic story lies Dinan, Faber and Faber, 0 571 10966 7, £3.95 (Puffin paperback, in the matter-of-fact way in which his family accept Stanley's mis- 01403.1135 l,75p). fortune. Authentic school setting, dialogue and situations distinguish this very Ramona the Pest, Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling, Hamish funny story about Tyke's last term at primary school. And there's a Hamilton, 0 241 02412 9, £3.95 (Puffin paperback, stunning twist in the tail, too. 0 14 03.0774 5, 75p). The Strange Affair of Adelaide Harris, Leon Garfield, illustrated by The story of Ramona Quimby's first days at kindergarten, and the Fritz Wegner, Kestrel, 0 7226 5095 7, £3.15 (Puffin paperback, comedy and confusion which she causes there and at home. Not a book 01403.0671 4, 60p). for Ramona-aged children but one for their older brothers and sisters An elegant and complex comedy, set in early nineteenth-century who will appreciate the maddening logic of a lively five-year-old. Brighton, about the confused train of events caused by the disappearance Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf, Catherine Storr, illustrated by of the infant Adelaide. Still Garfield's most enjoyable book. Marjorie-Ann Watts, Faber and Faber, 0 571 18011 6, £3.25 (Puffin The Summer-House Loon, Anne Fine, Methuen, 0 416 86180 6, paperback, 0 14 03.0312 X, 70p). £3.95 (Magnet paperback, 0 416 87650 1, 65p). Short hilarious stories about an enterprising small girl and how a stupid An example of that rare literary species: the funny British teenage novel. wolfs attempts to catch and eat her are always foiled by his own An engaging and original story of two young people whose erratic incompetence. courtship is helped along by the daughter of a blind professor. 6 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 pepper press presents A Hew Selection

MUSIC WORKSHOP THE BEAST IN THE BATHTUB, Dorothee Kreusch Jacob, Kathleen Stevens, illus. Hans Wallner. illus. Ray Bowler. Pub. date 23rd April. Pub. date 23rd April. £4.25 net. 0560 74516 8 £3.25 net. 0560 74515 X ARTHUR'S EYES, Marc Brown, Pub. date 21st May. E3.5O net. 0560 74517 6 For more information/catalogue, please contact: COME INTO MY NIGHT, COME INTO MY DREAM, Ian Morgan, UK Trade Sales Manager, Stefan Mahlqvist, illus.Tord Nygren. Pepper Press, Butterley Street, Pub. date 23rd April. Leeds LS10 1AX. Tel: 0532 442944. £3.75 net.0 560 74510 9 A QUEST FOR THE PAST, TUDOR PALACE 1587, Felicia Law, illus. Charles Front. Pub. date 21st May. -_ / : ,_ £3.75 net. 0560 745117 V ^ DOMES: A Project Series for Young People, Anne & Scott MacGregor Pub. date 21st May. £3.95 net. 0560 74512 5 SPILLINGTON AND THE WHITEWASH CLOWNS, Anthony Curtis, illus. Rosemary Bullen. Pub. date 23rd April. : £3.50net.0560 74513 3 .^^:::' ''. MISS MOUSEJHE COSMIC TURTLE, Dave Cash, illus. John Farman. Pub. date 21st May. £3.75 net. 0560 745141 • BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 7 reviews

Splodges Rackham illustrations failed, Malcolm Carrick, for me at least, to bring the Picture , tale to life. JB 0006617069, 85p I had a strong feeling of deja Desmond and the vu when reading what seems Monsters to me, an unnecessary Althea, Dinosaur, contrivance which I presume is 0 85122285 4, 60p intended to encourage children A second edition of the one in to experiment with techniques which the friendly dinosaur of using paint. In my placates the monsters who experience young children do invade a French town. The this sort of thing all the time in illustrations by Althea are She boiled them schools where their artwork is vivid, immediate, and the text in her cauldron encouraged and valued and is lively: young readers can materials are always readily have a complete story in a Mog's Mumps available. However, where this short time. There's now help Helen Nicoll and Jan is not the case, Malcolm from Dinosaur for slotting Carrick's creations could well these books into Cliff Moon's Pienkowski, Picture be a source of inspiration for 'Individualised Reading' stages; Puffin, teachers and children alike. JB use this or follow your own 0 14 050.357 9, 90p hunches. Many 'de-scheming' Having just recovered from an teachers I know fit the 'Althea' attack of mumps — or was it books into their collections.CM indigestion? — Mog, in reckless mood, goes joy-riding on Meg's broomstick with catastrophic results. . . The %* long-awaited paperback of this established favourite will satisfy vast numbers of Meg and Mog addicts. JB 13? Clotilda's Magic Jack Kent, Hippo, 0 590 72055 4, 75p Drawing by Jack Kent from Readers will laugh at the 'Clotilda's Magic' ', twinkle, little star' exploits of Clotilda, a rather from Jannat Houston's dumpy fairy godmother, who is 'Nursery Rhymes' determined to prove her Doodle's Homework identity to an unbelieving John Ryan, Picture Lion, Nursery Rhymes small boy who insists that she 0006617565, 85p Illustrated by Jannat is a bug. She has to resort to Learning by doing has long Houston, Piccolo somewhat desperate measures been advocated as the means but all ends satisfactorily of solving mathematical Picture Classic, thanks to the wishes of problems, at least for younger 0 330 26335 8, 80p Tommy's friend Betty — and children (and Dodos?). In the dozen or so rhymes she of course, her fairy godmother. However, practical methods do has chosen to illustrate in soft, But, as Clotilda's song shows, not always work, especially muted colours, Jannat there is more to magic than when Fuddi-duddi-dodo is in Houston evokes the fantasy spectacular tricks. charge of the operation. So it qualities of the material but 1 hope others will get as much is just as well that Doodle was not to the exclusion of the pleasure from this gently able to solve the problem elements of reality which are humorous fantasy as I did. aided only by his blackboard part and parcel of nursery Strongly recommended for and chalk. Definitely not rhymes. There seems to be sharing with a class or for amused was the reaction I got influence of Nicola Bayley and individual consumption. JB to this rather silly story. JB possibly Richard Doyle in this new-to-me illustrator's work; A Special Swap but it is none the worse for Sally Wittman, that. The rhymes (lesser- illustrated by Karen known ones in the main) and the warm, detailed pictures are Gundersheimer, Hippo, so presented that the book is 0 590 70040 5, 85p likely to appeal to a wide Right from the time she was in audience. JB her pushchair, Nelly and old Bartholomew were always together — 'ham and eggs' Rapunzel their neighbours called them. The Brothers Grimm, This mutual friendship grew illustrated by Sandy and developed so that just as Fuddi-duddi-dodo from 'Doodle's Homework' by John Ryan Mr Bartholomew had been Nightingale, retold by there to help Nelly when she Shirley Greenway, most needed him so Nelly was Reviews of paperback fiction are grouped for convenience Piccolo Picture Classic, able to offer a helping hand under teaching range. Books and children being varied and 0 330 26245 9, 80p when her old friend was most adaptable, we suggest you look either side of your area. A disappointing rendition of a in need. This small book favourite tale, all the more so touchingly portrays the unique More detailed recommendation for use can be found with- since there are so few picture relationship that can develop in the reviews. book versions available. The between the old and the very spiritless prose and sub- young. JB 8 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

lot of brown ones. The black children have easy names, but some of the brown children's INFANT/JUNIOR names are hard to say. Sam can't understand what the this beginning for building up a brown ones are talking about. super bond with the author for That is because they are still young readers: 'If Alice's learning English. Sam's Gran grandmother hadn't given her a says they will soon pick it up. little dog that could swim, the She said they may sound story that you're about to hear funny, but that is because they might have ended differently...' come from over the sea where CM people don't speak English all the time like we do.' The Here's Sam choice is yours. more non-fiction books for Dorothy Edwards, Miss Edwards is more at home young children were of this illustrated by David with the modern fairy tales of s'tandard. JB Higham, Magnet, the second book: fantastic 0 416 89520 4, 80p situations in very real contexts. Tim and My favourites are The Witch 0 19272113 5 The Magician who who lived on the Motorway and the title story. The Tim and Charlotte Kept a Pub, and magician's daughter in the other stories latter is a contemporary 0 192721186 heroine, who's told that when Dorothy Edwards, she marries she can sit all day Tim's Friend Towser Laura, Alice's New illustrated by Jill brushing her moonbeam hair 0 19 2721127, Bennett, Fontana Lion, and replies that she'll be far Edward Ardizzone, Puppy 000671785 3, 90p too busy dictating letters to her Oxford University Press, Philippe Dumas, Dorothy Edwards' stories read secretary! Well worth a try £1.75 each Fontana Lion, well aloud and she knows how with six to nines. CM Three new paperback editions 0006717705, 80p to spin a tale for the five to of the classic stories about Tim A splendidly appealing nine-year-olds; but Here's Panda and his seafaring friends with translation of a French story Sam is a rather mishandled Susan Bonners, Hippo, the characteristic Ardizzone about the mischievous pet attempt to bring her very seascapes and bubble talk. The personal 'Naughty Little Sister' 0 590 72054 6, 85p puppy of Alice and her brother Pandas, with their cuddly appeal of these adventures Emil. After some hilarious style up to date. Sam lives on seems as strong as ever; worth an estate with his Mum, Dad appearance and characteristic mishaps, the lovable Laura markings, seem to have a having in any primary proves her worth by saving the and bossy sister and the classroom. JB children's lives. adventures will ring true with universal appeal. This appeal many readers though the is successfully caught in the It's a super bridging book for stereotypes are pretty thick on oriental style white and blue- the six to eight-year-old the ground. How's this for a black illustrations of Panda. between the 'picture book' and multi-cultural readership? They are also very topical so the longer book; the this straightforward account, in imaginative, Ardizzone-style There are lots of boys and clear calligraphic print, of the illustrations, some with girls at Sam's school. Some life cycle of a wild giant panda cartoon 'bubbles', play a major are like Sam, but there are has arrived opportunely. I part in telling the story. How's black children too, and quite a found it fascinating. If only

thief with the help of sidekick Eric. Some racy writing with the kind of humour that LOWER JUNIOR American writers deal well in; eights to tens may enjoy it but The Otter Who Grasshopper and the I wonder just how many plot Wanted to Know Unwise Owl variations the idea can take! Jill Tomlinson, Jim Slater, illustrated by CM illustrated by Joanne Babette Cole, Dragon The Fastest Gun Cole, Magnet, Books, Alive and Other 0 416 89460 7, 85p 0 583 30368 4, 75p I'm constantly being told by Small boy takes magic sweets Night Adventures seven to tens how much they which enable him to shrink David Henry Wilson, like this writer's work. This and so make friends with Piccolo, one is an 'otter's eye view' of assorted wildlife: Sam Snail, 0 330 26053 7, 85p how Pat, a young female otter, Billy, the rabbit poet, and Twelve short stories involving is transported to a special Jacob, the owl who is unable the children of Wimpleford island, her adventures being to answer questions anymore! Junior School and their punctuated by her constant Add all this to a dastardly dreams. I find it a mixed questions! landlord who needs outwitting, collection. The title story, a It's witty, fast-moving with and there's a fast moving, but pastiche of every TV Western some engaging characters (the sometimes confusing, plot. It you've ever seen, is hilarious; bossy Gaffer, the solicitous all seems overcrowded: there The Boot is a witty, pun- Bobby); there's a sure sense of are lots of characters loaded adventure, indulging in story, yet lots left to the introduced who don't play a a linguistic joke which is the imagination. James Hodgson's part and the chunks from stuff of life to most nine-year- cover is attractive and 'Children's Britannica' just olds. But in too many of the characterful. I know one don't add anything. CM stories, the writer forces rather teacher who's read all these stern, moralistic messages: in 'Animal. . . Who' stories, The Carnival , for then led nine-year-olds to Ted Cam Jansen and the instance, a little girl is Hughes' How the Whale Mystery of the 'rewarded' for vanity by Became. ..xs^^- CM dreaming that she is hideously Stolen Diamonds deformed. For me, the tone of David A. Adler, these didactic stories spoiled illustrated by Susanna the pleasure of the good ones. Natti, Hippo, CM 0 590 70030 8, 75p First in a series about A detail from one of Susanna transatlantic heroine with a Natti's drawings in 'Cam Jansen photographic memory. In this and the Mystery of the Stolen one, she helps catch a jewel Diamonds' BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 9 JUNIOR/MIDDLE The Three Musketeers Star Ka'at World Dancer in the Wings Retold by Joan Andre Norton and Jean Richardson, Knight, Cameron, Ladybird, Dorothy Madlee, Knight, 0 340 262605, 95p 0 340 26459 4, 85p This sequel to The First Step 072140633 5, 50p tells of the ups and downs of A Journey to the Star Ka'ats and the Moth and her Australian cousin, Libby as they progress Centre of the Earth Plant People through ballet-cum-theatre Retold by Joyce Andre Norton and school. The theatrical Faraday, Ladybird, Dorothy Madlee, Knight, background seems carefully 0 7214 0596 7, 50p 034026111 0, 85p researched; but I wonder why Two more titles in the These are the second and third Jean Richardson needed to Ladybird Children's Classics adventures in the Star Ka'at describe the story of the series follow the well-trodden series. I feel these books are Nutcracker Suite as 'rather Ladybird path to successful either a gentle tongue-in-cheek feeble'. She's also a bit selling. Ladybirds are available satire on the science fiction cavalier about geography. at every conceivable outlet worlds of Flash Gordon, Buck 'Libby had gone back to from post office to chemist Rogers and Dr Who or an Australia for the summer and through corner shop. Should elaborate joke by two excellent her postcards were all about not this very availability, writers of this genre to sun and swimming.' English accessibility, popularity, be capitalise on the popularity of summer holidays mean used to inculcate in their this subject with youngsters. Australian mid-winter, when the only attractive beaches are readership an appreciation of Star Ka'ats are 'a super quality and style? To put out in the tropical north, hardly intelligent race'. In their world, the place to find a busy these bowdlerised, skeletal 'robots do all the work'. You versions under the heading of international pilot (Libby's can join Jim and Elly Mae father) and his family! Perhaps 'Children's Classics' seems (orphans, naturally!) in their somehow to miss the point of this is splitting hairs, but adventures with these wildly considered writing avoids such whv the originals were classics. exciting and creative creatures; BB pitfalls. However this is not unless, of course, you've likely to perturb the child become so absorbed in the seeking a cosy predictable read. 'A Dinosaur called Minerva' chapter describing the thrilling This should find an eager details of the 'kitten food' audience. CL the public believing his story. machine! The illustrations, Sprog realises that Minerva's production and presentation centuries of peace depend on seem to lack enthusiasm. The Quicksilver her presence remaining secret. There is already sufficient Horse His ingenious and hilarious imaginative and entertaining Anne Digby, Granada, plans bring all to a satisfactory sci-fi on the market for 0 583 30219 2, 75p conclusion. Tessa Krailing is anybody to waste their money This is the second 'horsey' new to me. This first book is on this series. BB book written by Anne Digby, one that should bring a lot of better known for the Trebizon pleasure. I look forward to the Coyote the Trickster series. Emma Kenner lured by next. CL Gail Robinson and the prize money, risks her future as a circus star to ride The Boy in The Douglas Hill, Piccolo, as a jump jockey on her horse 0 330 26263 7, 95p Silver because this seems to be Bible A superb little story book, the only answer to saving her Lavinia Derwent, taking as its source the legends father's ailing circus. The Piccolo, of the North American decision grows into a living 0 330 26264 5, 95p Indians, imaginatively retold nightmare as her fear of racing The Gospel writers tell little of and reworked. It's different, it increases along with her the childhood of Christ. intrigues, informs and amuses, determination not to give in. Whether or not Jesus led the and each of the twelve short Emma's predicament is life of an ordinary child in the tales is a gem. embellished by family village of Nazareth or whether Without claiming parity to jealousies and rivalries at the he was already aware of his Aesop's Fables, these stories stables. All, of course, is divine nature is a question share the ability to examine finally resolved. There are discussed by serious the foibles of human nature; some moments of real tension theologians but also asked by highlighting our penchant for in an otherwise blandly children. Lavinia Derwent has cruelty and kindness, stupidity presented tale. Another book written a gentle narrative of and cleverness, bravery and which guarantees an easy but village children, Ruth and Jude, cowardice, either alternately or successful read for girls of the and their friendship with Jesus. Mouldy's Orphan all at the same time! Try them top junior/middle school age She builds a framework around Gillian Avery, with your class, any ages from range. CL the biblical record of Jesus illustrated by Faith nine upwards; I guarantee that becoming 'lost' in Jerusalem Jaques, Puffin, you'll be pleasantly surprised A Dinosaur called and being found in the temple 0 1403.1269 2, 75p by the reception they get. BB Minerva and creates a story of love and A winner from a writer who caring. It was read with knows how to involve her Kick Off Tessa Krailing, Hippo, considerable satisfaction by readers gently. A rich tale of a Michael Hardcastle, 0 590 70031 6, 70p children of around ten years young girl in 1890's rural An amusing tale of Peter and could be read aloud to a Oxfordshire who, influenced Armada, Simon Richard Ogden, Sprog younger group. by her reading of Froggy's 0006917577, 80p for short, who is obliged to There are some that would Little Brother, decides to help This is number six in the spend his Easter holidays with disapprove of any distortion of a reai" life orphan. She learns 'Mark Fox' Football Books. an absent-minded, eccentric the recorded bible stories. I that doing the right thing leads At least two games are aunt. When he discovers and suspect, however, that this to domestic disharmony. recounted in loving detail and befriends a dinosaur with book may not only answer Although there's some painful the school boy dream of being toothache his holiday takes a questions for some but lead to learning, this is portrayed signed for a top league club is turn for the better. The story is the asking of more by a through a warm domestic realised, where our hero scores full of delightfully larger than thoughtful child. If it does atmosphere. There's a strong a goal in his first game — no life characters including the neither it will still stir the sense of time and place, less!! The popularity of bemused, very feminine imagination of many and evoked in the writing and in anything with a Hardcastle Minerva, whose troublesome provide a rewarding read. CL Faith Jaques' exquisite ticket should ensure success in tooth is removed by pictures. A splendid addition the bookshop. A female tester prosperous dental surgeon, Mr. to the work of one of our best liked the book 'because it was Spruce. His professional writers for the young. CM just like being at a real match'. reputation comes to depend on DB .10 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Richard Bolitho — Midshipman MIDDLE SECONDARY Alexander Kent, on Conshelf Sparrow, Eric Knight 0 09 915200 2, 80p Ten Topsails, belaying pins, Monica Hughes, Magnet, awe Come-Home halliards and bulwarks 0 416 89990 0, 90P positively creak and splinter This book signalled a promise throughout this stirring tale of which Ms Hughes still displays British grit and determination, five novels later, despite one as Bolitho joins the fight disaster and an also-ran. against pirates who threaten Secessionist talk in her native trade routes off Africa's west Canada probably helped her coast. Despite the handicap of treatment of wrangles between • a clutch of lieutenants who greedy Earth and the lunar hate him, especially Tregorren, colony, whose problems are who detests his family shared by the people in the connections, our hero submarine Conshelves. Kepler, midshipman pursues honour Moon Governor's son, must and promotion with honour scotch the extremist gillmen's and devotion. violent plans if Dad is to win The story moves at a surging the UN vote. The adventures pace, the characters are might begin too late for the securely black or honourable, story to galvanize the back never both at the same time; row — serious S.F. often and the whole book is awash demands too many ideas and with battles, blood and details early on for that — but brazenly adapting cliches from Judging by the reaction of the adventures. Most probably a try it with aficionados, unless private eye stories, T.R. Burch group of twelve-year-olds to book for lower secondary boys. they're politically radical. SB has produced a thriller in their first hearing of the story, DB which the strangeness and Lassie is still as popular with Take the Long Path tension outweigh the faults. the youngsters of the eighties It's My Life Joan de Hamel, Puffin, One foggy night, 14-year-old as she ever was with those in Robert Leeson, Lions, Tig witnesses a robbery and the forties. Lovely subdued 000671783 7, 95p 0 1403.1257 9, 85p finds a body — but when he chapter illustrations by No masterpiece, but a nicely Sheep-farm life is more tells the law, the corpse has Marguerite Kirmse, but a readable account of Jan's bearable for David because gone. Though Tig, rather than totally unimpressive cover. BB predicament when her Mum penguins nest nearby. The the plodding policemen, sorts inexplicably leaves home and arrival of an understanding old it out, the book retains a fair The Fib job. (Though looking after Dad Maori doubles the secret degree of authenticity and is in George Layton, Lions, and Kevin (7) has her places' attraction. We know no way a Kiddie Lit detective eventually screaming, 'The he's a ghost but David only yarn like Terrance Dicks' 0006718086, 90p only thing that amazes me is suspects as tribal history series, the Baker Street You may know these ten why she waited so bloody long gradually unfolds and he grows Irregulars, or Burch's own stories from BBC Schools or . . .') Romance with a sixth- curious enough to ask his Shane McKellar books. Worth two Longman Knockouts. former leavens homework/ 'O' Hemi about pushing in secondary schools. Several repeat a pattern — levels drudgery — and widens Maori customs. Learning why SB boy needs something (e.g. a Old Tama has returned leads balaclava, fireworks, new the sex-role theme. David to important self- Stormy football kit) to keep in with the Intermittent home/school Jim Kjelgaard, Carousel, conflicts, a pregnancy scare, discoveries. Maybe the lads, Mum says no, trouble "new eyes" insights also supernatural accounts for this 0 552 52127 2, 80p ensues — but they read aloud counter reality's flatness and appearing on Puffin's Another in Kjelgaard's canine well. They're mainly amusing, break up passages of increasingly profit-conscious series. Set in northern U.S. though there's a melancholy internalised agonising. Ace list but it's atmospheric rather lake country, it's about Allan's last outing with Grandad cover(cheapened by an than scary; landscape adventures with the before he dies. Seven form a 'Author of the Grange Hill description and Antipodean eponymous hound after his block — primary/early stories' flash), neither long nor vocabulary will deter some and hunting-guide father has been secondary schooldays (with difficult — schools need lots the storyline is too vague early jailed for clobbering neighbour the join difficult to spot). The more from this mould. SB on. Minority stuff. SB Torrance. Episodic, easy to rest, adolescence, are slightly read, various tensions — different in mood and more The Lost World Stormy's 'outlaw' past, noticeably dated. Northern Landings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, blizzards, the Torrance feud, a setting, late forties to mid Dennis Hamley, murder — and backwoods fifties. Standard equipment for Granada, Puffin, lyricism fairly well controlled; teachers; if possible, borrow a 0 1403.1385 0, 95p all the ingredients to please Longman tape of Layton 0 583 30422 2, 75p Now Conan Doyle's been kids who find dog stories reading his work. SB 'Perhaps the best things people dead fifty years, The Lost irresistible (a sizeable number do are when they are afraid . . . World is no longer copyright in my experience). Emphasis Everything becomes clear and is probably a reasonable on , precluding the when you've got to do it.' bet for steady back-list sales harshness of the Survival These are important — after all, everybody knows genre, boosts its potential conclusions that are reached the title from film clips on telly readership and, though Allan by 14-year-old Philip Eastham and you can put a dinosaur on seems more man than boy, it's and his elder brother Reg, the cover. However, it won't convincing enough for most. spurred on by the ghostly SB promptings of their dead endear Puffin to the anti- grandfather, enshrined in his sexist, anti-racist, anti- own bloodstained World War imperialist lobby. The Lassie Come Home expedition is slow to get under 1 diary. Reg is deserting from way and, although Prof. Eric Knight, Puffin, the Suez draft of 1956 and Challenger is extravagantly 0 1403.12395, 95p Philip faces discovery as an amusing early on (later, he is The first appearance in under-age, would-be glider caricatured into a buffoon), paperback of the 1942 classic pilot whose fear is of landings. only very competent readers by Eric Knight, which has Dennis Hamley has just the will cope with the 1912 delighted successive right amount of relevant period vocabulary and style. You generations of 'dog crazy' detail which never detracts might try one copy for earnest children (and adults). The tale from the lively pace and direct traditionalists. SB of Lassie's trek from Scotland style of this well-plotted tale, to find Joe Carraclough has where even the difficult ghostly been popularised and encounters are not allowed to Tig's Crime glamorized on film and stretch credibility too far. This T.R. Burch, Lions, television during the is a must for middle/upper 0006717489, 90p intervening years, besides secondary boys and their First novels usually contain being a consistent seller as a fathers. DB lots of rough edges but, by hardback. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 11

paper' and had little to say Dinner Ladies Don't about the stories. Count HARDBACK Dragon Earth is meant to be Bernard Ashley, a funny story about a dragon Anyone concerned with getting five to eight-year-olds who unearths a treasure hoard illustrated by Janet reading is on the look out for good material. Julia and has difficulty keeping it a Duchesne, secret. The language is rather 0 86203 017 X Mac Rae's Blackbird series (5-8) and Heinemann's advanced and some silent Easy-to-Read Books (reading age 6-7) are recent readers might find difficulty in All £2.75 each offerings. We sent these with some new titles from the sorting out some of the long These also have bright Antelope, Gazelle and Ladybird series to Sue Harte to complex sentences. The Rug coloured covers and look more try out with her class of lower juniors in Bath. that Grew has the core of a like 'real' books than a series. good idea. Children rescue an The books are aimed at five to old rug and clean it up to eight-year-olds but the reveal an intricate pattern of language and story content HEINEMANN was least popular with the plants and flowers which, after juniors was liked by the seem more suitable for the EASY-TO-READ a little 'magic', grows into a upper end of this range, at younger children although their garden. But somehow the BOOKS teacher felt that the over- least in my school. In Flames fantasy does not really work. in the Forest two boys in Fox Tricks simplified language tended to It's told in a chatty readable diminish the subtlety of the India race to escape from a Aidan Chambers, style, but is slow to get moving forest fire. The story builds fables with the result that the and lacks a strong, what next? illustrated by Robin and book turned out to be too well and there is an exciting pull — a big drawback for new climax. Bridget and her pony Jocelyn Wild, much like many others for this readers — alone. 0434931632 age range. The idea of a William live on an isolated granny with a pet pig called The Antelopes have more northern hill farm. The story Penny and the Otto (Penny and the Piglets) colourful covers and were of how together they brave the also amused them. Dennis instantly more attractive. snow to fetch the doctor to Piglets and the Flying Saucer was Bugbear is the story of a pregnant Mum is predictable, Ron and Atie van der pronounced 'funny' by infants large, hideous pink bear, an but Jane Gardam's telling Meer, and juniors alike; but it was unwanted Christmas present. makes it distinctive and, 0434971006 Nicki that was loved by all Each member of the family ironically, difficult for who read it. The title was tries to get rid of it; but it's inexperienced readers. In Dennis and the obviously instantly inviting and the youngest who finally Delia Huddy's story Captain Flying Saucer many readers became hooked succeeds. The children liked McCorkell takes a holiday, on this story of a scruffy the family and the touches of leaving his inept crew in Brian Ball, illustrated by who becomes a TV humour. The easy style and charge of the Crooked Crab. Margaret Chamberlain, star after a producer is short episodic chapters were Chaos results. It's good fun 0 434 92830 5 attracted by her unkempt just right for building up and the illustrations are a nice appearance. Some teachers stamina for longer reads. The complement. My personal Nicki were worried about the moral: Year One appealed more to favourite is Dinner Ladies Eileen Browne, untidy rebels have all the fun! the eights and over. It's about Don't Count, a very But the children took the story a family of new settlers in believable school story. But 0 434 92990 5 at face value and enjoyed the South Africa last century; does it appeal more to teachers All £2.95 touch of adventure and historically informative and than children? I'd like to hear The colourful covers and the excitement it offers. readable. more children's views on this lively pictures immediately one. Neither it nor the other attracted the children to these; Blackbirds caused a particular they still enjoy picture books HAMISH JULIA MACRAE stir in my classroom. I feel I and expect plenty of HAMILTON BLACKBIRD would have to read them aloud illustrations, preferably in GAZELLE BOOKS BOOKS (they are good enough for that) colour in all they read. Here before the children could really there's a picture on each page The Rug that Grew The Tale of the get to grips with them. But with an average of six lines of Adele Geras, illustrated Crooked Crab then that's defeating the object text in large clear type. All my by Pris cilia Lament, Delia Huddy, illustrated of the series. class, including the more able readers gobbled up these 0 241 10533 1 by Linda Birch, books and many made a point Dragon Earth 0 86203 022 6 of reading all four titles. They were unimpressed when I Ann Ruffell, illustrated Bridget and William pointed out that they had just by Nicole Goodwin, Jane Gardam, illustrated gone through £11.80 worth of 0 241 10532 3 by Janet Rawlins, books; but on that ground I Both £1.80 had some reservations. 0 86203 012 9 Although attractive, instant HAMISH Flames in the Forest reads, three of the four books had little more to offer than HAMILTON Ruskin Bond, illustrated many cheaper books in reading ANTELOPE by Valerie Littlewood, schemes. I felt the children BOOKS 0 86203 027 7 would not return to them. The Bugbear Catherine Storr, illustrated by Elaine Would I buy any of these? McGregor Turney, The children were not inhibited by the thought of price 0 241 10549 8 and clearly responded well to the layout and design of the Heinemann books. But struggling with my meagre The Year One book fund I don't think I could justify paying that Jenny Seed, illustrated much just for attractive packaging. Obviously you by Susan Samsome, don't need to buy every book in a series. Blackbirds are 0 241 10550 1 a worthy attempt to provide good writing for this age. Both £2.25 I'd like to try the Bernard Ashley and the Delia Huddy. I'm sure Gazelle Books don't But can I afford to risk £5.50? I'm afraid in the present reach many children who would enjoy them, primarily circumstances I will be combing Jill Bennett's because their covers have not Reaching Out booklist for paperbacks for my par- caught the attention of the ticular six to eight-year-olds. browsing book selector, especially if they are shelved among more colourful Reaching Out paperback books. These two A Signal Booklist compiled by Jill Bennett and edited by remained relatively untouched Nancy Chambers, £1.25. I also tried them out with by my class. Those that did infants who were equally dip into them commented Available from The Thimble Press, Lockwood, Station Road, South enthusiastic. Fox Tricks which unfavourably on the 'thick Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5EQ or from the NBL. 12 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 and his Creators

all the women's mock-classical and Gaulish names ending in -a. So she becomes Melodrama, paired with her young man Histrionix (Comix in French). By now, the number of proper names we Asterix made his first have had to invent for the English versions of appearance in 1959. He Asterix is close on three hundred. We've got a little list. And another list of songs, since is now an international characters are inclined to break into parodies of French popular ditties. And another of institution, beloved and Latin words and phrases in everyday use, since even they may be different in English; collected by adults and you can't absolutely count on an English children alike. He's been reader's recognizing the Latin motto of the city of Paris. translated into thirty Some of the French historical or literary languages and over 140 allusions would be lost on most English readers, and again we look for English million copies of the parallels. It's lucky that we share with the French the distinction of having been invaded books have been sold by Julius Caesar, so we know about him all right. Admittedly, I shall never, never be able throughout the world. to take the historical Caesar seriously again, Goscinny and Uderzo, his but then there always was something faintly hardly read their own language yet, let alone ridiculous about him in the irreverent English creators, seemed an eternal French, but the detailed, action-packed schoolchild's mind. 'Julius Caesar the Roman combination but, sadly, Rene drawing was enough to engage their geezer, caught his nose in a lemon squeezer,' attention and give them the gist of the didn't he? Goscinny died last year. Asterix stories. fans mourned and wondered if In the end, however, it all depends on the But, we've been asked as translators, when wholeness of Goscinny and Uderzo's that was the end. It wasn't. we get to the words isn't Asterix too Gallic imaginary world. The soil of that world is rich Who better to take on the for his flavour to come across? I think not: enough to cling to the roots of the joke and after all, the basic theme of cunning and keep it alive even when it's transplanted to writing than Albert Uderzo, the good humour outwitting brute force is fairly another language. Or so it seems, on the man whose drawings first gave universal. (Surely Odysseus is everyone's evidence of the children who write us letters such distinctive and definitive favourite Greek hero, leaving Hector and about Asterix. I felt sure Asterix was a very Achilles and the rest of the muscle-men good joke when I first read him in French; I shape to Asterix, and the nowhere in the ratings.) Goscinny and Uderzo think you just can't keep a good joke down. characters we know as Getafix, set that theme in a totally coherent world of Obelix and Vitalstatistix. This its own; such a coherence of atmosphere seems to me a pre-requisite for making and month his first solo title, humour work (look at P. G. Wodehouse). Tony Bradman describes Asterix and the Great Divide, Ancient Gaul, as inhabited by Asterix and his is published. friends, has its own rules and sticks to them. For instance, there's never any blood: you can Meeting Uderzo It is translated, as are all the safely laugh at the biffing and the bashing because it is quite plain that the Romans, other Asterix titles by Anthea comically battered as they are, will live to Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny Bell and Derek Hockridge. To fight another day — though preferably not to were born only six months apart, mark the occasion and in fight Gauls. Goscinny in 1926 and Uderzo in modest commemoration of Rene Then, however, there is the more complicated 1927. But it wasn't until 1953 that verbal level of the Asterix stories, the level they met each other in the Paris office Goscinny involving topical references, literary quotation, of a Belgian Press agency, where they cheerful puns and extended wordplay. This is Anthea Bell tells us the difficult bit for the translator. As were both working independently as explaining a joke obviously kills it stone dead, author-illustrators of comic strips for about it's necessary to think of parallel English various newspapers and magazines. jokes here. That meeting sparked off a working Translating Goscinny There are the intricately comic French names. The Gaulish village chief, in French, is relationship which was to lead six years later Abraracourcix. If you attack someone a bras to the creation of one of the most popular (and Uderzo) raccourcis, you are attacking him violently. cartoon characters ever - Asterix the Gaul. Uderzo himself thinks that it was the Of all the tricky assignments that may come a The chief was renamed Vitalstatistix for English consumption: a stroke of luck, as it cosmopolitan aspects of their respective translator's way, I think a funny book is the backgrounds, and Goscinny's especially, most perilous. Humour is so elusive anyway, turned out, since later on there came a French title (Asterix and the Chieftain's which formed the basis of their joint so hard to define. Can it be transplanted from Shield in English) in which the character goes creation and his runaway success. its native soil? A dozen years or so ago, when Derek Hockridge and I were beginning the off to slim at a health farm, making our "Many of my generation were heavily translation of Asterix the Gaul, we certainly English name apter than we had known. influenced before the war by American wondered. Topicality has its hazards. We named a Briton cartoon characters. We almost took in Walt Selectivemploymentax, and where is S.E.T. Disney with our mothers' milk." That was the first book in the Asterix saga. Twenty-five albums later, we're too close to now? On the other hand, Ekonomikrisis (a Uderzo's mother and father were (ironically Asterix, Obelix and the other Ancient Gauls to Phoenician merchant) is still with us. There enough for the man who was to spend most know how far we personally have succeeded, are a few names like Stratocumulus which of his working life making fun of the but at least we've heard English children will do as well in English as French, but not Romans) Italian, as his name indicates, and laugh at the stories. And you can't force a many: such is the ingenuity of Goscinny and only arrived in France in 1922. He was born Uderzo. Ironically, there's a perfectly good child's spontaneous laughter. in the beautiful Cathedral city of Rheims, Anglo-American word used as a name in the and his family moved to Paris when he was Asterix works on several levels, and for the French original of Asterix and the Great two, where he spent most of his childhood. first you don't need any language at all, Divide, and we can't use it in English. It At about the same time, Goscinny's father - which gives a translator a good start. Before belongs to half of a Romeo and Juliet set-up: a chemical engineer — was moving his family any of the titles in the series were translated Fanzine, who incidentally is an answer to and the two-year-old Rene to Argentina, from into English, I saw and shall always those who claim that Asterix is anti-feminist, where they moved on to spend seven years remember a group of English children, aged since she's clever and sensible as well as in the United States. It was there that he about four to eight, totally absorbed in a pile pretty. We can't use her name because it is too came under the influence of the of French Asterix books. Most of them could our now well-established convention to have ubiquitous Walt Disney. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 13

sketches for a character, I thought at first of of them used to get back together to discuss someone big,^strong and ugly. That's the what Uderzo had drawn, and Uderzo says way Vercingetorix is always depicted, Goscinny was always kind enough to say anyway. But Goscinny said, no, that wasn't that he thought the strips were "exactly his idea. At that time, all the editors we what he had had in mind when he had were working for wanted characters just like written the script." that, like the American characters and particularly Superman - all big and strong. Asterix really took off in 1966 and 1967 in They were always going on at us to make France, when the whole "Asterix industry" heroes who were real heroes, and we were so began to boom, with all sorts of spin-offs, fed up with that sort of pressure that we from hats and scarves to socks and bags. "At wanted to do something completely that time, nearly every region of France was different. It was Goscinny's idea to create claiming that the village of the Gauls had an anti-hero." been in their particular area, and one village in the Pas du Calais was very definite about Success came quickly. Asterix first saw the it. But if you look on the map at the light of day in the magazine Pilote in 1959, beginning of each book, you'll see that it's and the first book - Asterix the Gaul - sited very firmly in Brittany. I didn't have appeared in an edition of 15,000 which the heart to disillusion them." Uderzo says quickly sold out. From then on, it was like he put the village in Brittany because he had Topsy, and each edition just grew and grew, spent some time there in the war, and the from 30,000 copies to 300,000 and more. people there - some of whom were real In France many people thought it was Breton-speaking Celts - "were successful because it "symbolised" the extraordinary." French national spirit, and particularly the age of De Gaulle, even drawing parallels When Goscinny died, Uderzo was shattered. between the latter's name and the first title He says that he thought "with Goscinny - Asterix the Gaul. Uderzo denies this gone,Asterix too is finished." But under the strongly. pressure of letters from fans all over the world, he began to ask himself whether he "We never wanted it to be nationalistic, and shouldn't try to carry on. "The letters all we were even very pleased when it was said, 'What has happened to Asterix? You successful in other countries, because we must carry on! They said that Asterix didn't thought that proved it had more than just a just belong to me, he belonged to everybody nationalistic sentiment. Why was it so and he hadn't got the right to die. So I successful? If only I knew! I think it's thought about it, and talked to Goscinny's impossible to say for definite. Success wife, and I decided to try and carry on in Albert Uderzo with Obelix, photo by usually comes if you arrive at the right time, the same spirit." Pierre Vauthey at the right place with the right idea, and I think that's what happened. People have Uderzo in fact works very hard at what he Independently, both Goscinny and Uderzo said that it was because it's about the calls his "profession". He's totally dedicated had decided that they wanted to create 'indomitable minority' fighting back against to Asterix, and spends 8 or 9 hours a day, cartoon characters and comic strips. ("It the 'great machine of state'. seven days a week, working on a new title was a disease I caught very young.") They for up to 8 months. He draws the strips in "There's an element of that, of course, and pencil, then inks them in, and he now has had both gravitated to the Belgian press it's based on the contrast which we tried to agency because "at that time Belgium was someone to fill in the colours. He's working emphasise between the rigid, rectilinear on the 26th title now, and working so hard the home of comic strips on the continent, Romans with their roads and laws, and the with characters like Tintin." Their that when I met him his drawing hand was anarchy of the Celts. But it's a lot of other swollen and painful. He says that finding a partnership began as "a marriage of things too, and the fact that its appeal is so convenience." new idea gets harder and harder, but he wide means to me that there must be more intends to carry on. "Goscinny felt happier just writing scripts than just that in it. Unlike Goscinny, who spoke fluent English, than with drawing, and I felt happier just "We wrote it originally for children, but we doing the drawings, so we decided to work he's at a disadvantage when it comes to never aimed it at a specific age or audience. checking the translations of Asterix titles - together. We did several other things before We realised at the beginning that adults Asterix, like a series on Oumpah Pah the which now include Japanese and Icelandic. would probably like it too. The spirit in He says that there was even a possibility of a Indian. But it did develop into a real which we started was very simple. We friendship, and I miss him terribly." translation into Romansch, which is an wanted to amuse ourselves, and we weren't ancient language spoken only by 10,000 Uderzo showed how deeply he had felt surprised when adults liked it as much as people in an inaccessible part of the Swiss the tragedy of Goscinny's unexpected death they did - we liked it, and we're adults, Alps. But the three Romansch speakers who by going on to talk about him at great after all. got together to talk it over couldn't agree length. Interestingly enough, even when "I think humour is universal, anyway. It on which dialect to translate it into, and so talking about trying to find the idea which doesn't need to be too intellectual or too gave up. was to become Asterix and the Great Divide, simple, it's just got to be good. In the end, his first completely solo effort, he still But Uderzo has had all the translations either it's funny or it isn't. There are no re-translated into French literally so that he constantly used the first person plural - other rules. Our sole aim at the beginning - "we found an idea in the end". can check them, and he's full of praise for and it hasn't changed - was very simple. We Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge, Asterix's "Goscinny was an extraordinary man, and it wanted to give people enjoyment." English translators. "They really have a lot would take me days to explain him properly. Uderzo says that actually working with of talent. Translating Asterix is a thankless He was a man for whom words were a Goscinny on a new title was "marvellous. task, and they do it really creatively. You religion, and he was always as funny in life We used to spend ages trying to think of a can't translate most of the puns and gags as he could be in his Asterix stories. He new idea — which was always the hardest literally, but they manage to convey exactly always loved to tell jokes and have people part — and once we had one, we used to get the same spirit as we intended without around him to whom he could tell funny losing any of the flavour." stories. Humour was a way of life for him. together and bounce ideas off each other. It was almost like playing verbal tennis. Albert Uderzo has the air of a man who is "As far as I'm concerned, he brought to Neither of us knew any Latin, but we did completely happy in what he does, and he France a completely new form of humour plenty of research, and in France there's a says that there is only one thing he would which, because of the American influence marvellous dictionary of Latin phrases like to do apart from producing one new on him, was more Anglo-Saxon than which we used to consult whenever we Asterix a year. He wants some day to set up Latin. It's difficult to explain, but it comes needed one. one company to control the "Asterix down to the fact that the Anglo-Saxon way "Then Goscinny would go off and write the empire" as a whole, both publishing and of cracking a joke is different from the script. He always used to write it out merchandising. "I can't try on every new Latin way, and his sense of humour had a completely, with all the gags and puns. pair of Asterix socks to see that they're all dash of roguishness. It's influenced two Goscinny loved puns. In fact once the right, but I'd like to have more control over generations of comic strips already." translations started to appear, he had to it." Where did they get the idea for Asterix? "It restrain himself for the sake of the poor And what about the future of Asterix in was very simple, really. In France the first translators." book form? "I just want to keep the thing children learn about history is 'our Once Goscinny had completed his script, he continuity and the spirit in which we started ancestors the Gauls' and particularly sent it to Uderzo so that he could actually going. Do I like Asterix? Of course I do - Vercingetorix, the leader whom Caesar start drawing. This made Uderzo, as he says, I'd be very ungrateful if I didn't, after all, defeated at the battle of Alesia. It's a "the first reader of each new title", which, he feeds me and my family. But in the national obsession. We simply thought it he admitted, "always had me in fits. I used end, it's difficult to explain just how would be funny to do it. to laugh a lot less when it actually came to attached to him I am. I do like Asterix. And "When I was doing some preliminary drawing the strips, though." Then the two I hope he likes me." • 14 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 Authorgraph No.7 telling. In sixteen months she learned sixty stories — mostly folk and fairy tales. 'I think that's how I learned to write. When I started Henry Huggins I didn't know how to write but I knew how to tell stories. So I thought out each chapter and mentally told it to my old story-hour audience. I f 0 don't work that way any more but that's what got me started.' It probably also explains why all her stories read aloud so naturally. In Henry Huggins as well as Henry ('he's always trying to do the right thing, but trouble just comes along') there is Ribsy, his dog, Beatrice Quimby (Beezus for short) and her little sister Ramona. Ramona, in fact, has one line — she's there simply to explain Beezus' unusual nickname — but in later Henry Huggins books she became increasingly prominent until she had such a hold on the author's imagination that she had to have a book to herself. There are now five books about Ramona and the Quimby family and she has grown from kindergarten to second grade (7Vi). Beverly deary's books are very funny and the humour arises from a warm and precise observation of how people, especially children, behave. Like many otherfeatures of her writing she traces this back to her own childhood. 'For the first six years of my life I was brought up in the American counterpart of an English village, where I felt wild and free and loved by everyone. Then we moved to the city. I came off the farm and was plunged into a class of forty children. I was an only child. I didn't know how to play with children or how to get along. The teacher would tell us to form a line — I didn't know whatthat meant. I'd neverformed a line on the farm. So I became a very quiet child — and I think observant because I didn't want to do anything wrong in school.' But it's more than observation. Beverly Cleary seems to have a direct line to what it feels like to be a child — the uncertainty, the fears, the intensity and immensity of things When she was twelve Beverly Cleary knew exactly what she which to adults seem trivial and irrational. She has vivid wanted to be when she grew up. recall of her own childhood. Her family moved to the city, 'Reading meant so much to me I wanted to be a librarian Portland, Oregon, to find greater prosperity. But the De- and a writer.' In the nineteen thirties she qualified as a pression was coming. Her mother could find little work. children's librarian and got her first job in Yakima, a small When she was twelve her father lost his job. town in Washington state (one of those which last year got 'I remember one period in particular. My mother had got covered in volcanic ash from the St Helen's eruption). She some work soliciting magazine subscriptions over the stayed there only a year and four months. 'But those were phone at home. Listening to her tired voice, knowing how amongst the most important months of my life.' Once a discouraged she was, I was very troubled. I wanted to hear week a group of small boys from a nearby school came to her say she loved me.' visit the library. Their teacher felt that they weren't enthusiastic about reading because of their school books. She wanted me to help them find books they would enjoy. There was really very little in the library that those boys wanted to read. They wanted funny stories and stories about the sort of children they were. The library had nothing about children like them — lively, mischievous but not malicious, liking to play baseball.' Years later, after the second world war, she finally got round to finding out if she was a writer. 'I had always thought that when I began to write I would write the usual novel about the maturing of a sensitive female who wanted to write. But when I started I thought of those little boys and they prevented me from writing that book.' Ramona's need to be reassured that she is loved by a What she did write was a story about an eight-year-old worried, preoccupied, working mum lies beneath the boy's efforts to bring home a stray dog on the bus. 'Dogs are survace fun of Ramona and her Mother. It's a need shared not allowed on buses unless they are in a box, so he gets a by children who write to Beverly Cleary: 'I think everybody carton from a store and puts the dog in. It's raining and feels like Ramona. When my mothertells me she loves me, I while he's waiting for the bus the cardboard collapses. always feel sort of relieved.' Then he shifts the dog into a shopping bag with something But Beverly Cleary is not writing books for therapy. 'I am not on top. But on the bus the dog gets out and causes havoc.' a person who tries to write about social problems. Children That was the first chapter of Henry Muggins, and the book need to be free to discover what helps them. During that quickly found a publisher. The time in Yakima played a part time I found great comfort in the story of Persephone. And in that first book in another way. As a fledgling librarian I'm sure no one would ever put that on a list of books that Beverly Cleary had to build up a repertoire of stories for would 'help' children. It seemed to me that the long, wet BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 15

cold Oregon winter that I was living through would end and Beverly Cleary — everything would be beautiful and that my mother was WASHIKQTC really looking for me. It's very presumptuous of adults to try The books STATE to decide what's going to help children.' Ramona the Pest, Hamish Hamilton, Beverly Beverly Cleary now lives in California but all her stories are 0 241 02412 9, £3.95 Geary's set in Portland, Oregon. 'It's a city, about three or four Puffin, 0 14 03.0774 5, 75p West hundred thousand people. The families in my stories are Ramona the Brave, Hamish Hamilton, 0 241 89257 0, £3.95 Coast lowermiddle class. They live in a stable neighbourhood; it's Puffin, 0 14 03.1059 2, 95p changed very little since I grew up there. The houses have a Ramona and her Father, HH, 0 241 89752 1 front lawn, and a back lawn; there's a place to play. The only £3.95 changes I see when I go back are the number of television Puffin, 0 1 4 03.1 303 6, Autumn 1 981 aerials and the number of cars. Oregon, unlike Washington Ramona and her Mother, HH, and California, is slow to change its ways. Portland is still 0 241 102804, £3.95 not a violent place. It's peaceful. The houses are well-built. I Beezus and Ramona, HH, 0 241 10014 3, think that makes a difference.' Stability and security: two £3.95 gifts you feel Beverly Cleary would give all children if she Puffin, 0 14 03.1249 8, 85p could. 'A lot of children are going through it today. Life is Henry and Beezus, HH, 0 241 10431 9, growing very tense. The world was notso dangerous when I £4.25 was growing up.' Fontana, 0 00 641 875 2, Autumn 1 981 Henry and Ribsy, HH, 0 241 10020 8, £3.95 She writes about families, and 'families are very important Fontana, 0 00 671 726 8, 85p to children. I was encouraged to write Ramona and her Henry and the Clubhouse, HH, Father because so many letters from children express a 0 241 10618 4, £4.95 terrible longing for fathers.' One boy who had read The Runaway Ralph, HH, 0 241 891 1 2 4, £3.25 Mouse and the Motorcycle (about a mouse called Ralph) Puffin, 0 1 4 03.1 020 7, 90p (April 1 981) wrote, 'I had a father named Ralph once, but my mother The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Puffin, divorced him and now we live in Texas.' Another wrote, 'My 0 14 03.0970 5, 70p father ran away and now it's just my mother, my brother and me.' For Beverly Cleary, That's one of the saddest sen- Fifteen, Puffin, 0 14 03.0948 9, 85p tences I have ever read.' Beverly Cleary had written five books before she had children. 'I was a housewife, and for the first time I had peace, quiet, a place to work — and time.' Then the twins were born. Twins to order, she claims, having left it so late she was determined to be efficient and have two at once! She went on writing. Facets of the children's childhood became entwined with Ramona's, and a new character was born. One of the twins, Malcolm, had difficulties with reading. 'By < my college friends. We were at the University of California the time he was eight he was disgusted with books. He at Berkeley. She lived two ferry boat rides across the bay in could read but he hadn't learned to enjoy it and he began to Marim County. I used to go there for weekends. The book is say he was stupid, which he wasn't.' His mother could sympathise. 'My first teacher was a woman who should not my guess of whatshe would have been like at fifteen.' Does she think the book has dated? 'It was dated when I wrote it. have been a teacher at all, much less of small children. I had It was a period piece set in the thirties. I think that at some a really dreadful time learning to read. Fortunately the next stage every girl wants a steady boyfriend. That's when they year I had a kind, gentle teacher and by the third grade (8) I read it. I get letters about Fifteen from girls from eight to had discovered, with my mother's help, that reading was eighteen. I haven't had a problem with the women's fun. From then on I was the library's best customer. If movement about it.' children don't discover that reading is pleasure by the time they are ten, they may well be lost to reading and become But she has no patience with editors, using extracts from television watchers instead. I think these are the most her books, who insist that Ramona is not allowed to call her importantyearsforchildhood reading.' Malcolm clearly had teacher 'pretty' (that's sexist) and that Mrs Muggins to be convinced that reading was fun. shouldn't wipe her hands on her apron (that's stereotyping). Her observer's eye and heart reject that kind of superficial 'That summer the family was on holiday in England. August tinkering. Like so many humourists, she's thoughtful and Bank Holiday found them in a hotel in Exeterthat was being caring, critical of much of what she sees that disturbs her. re-modelled. There was no carpet, the corridors echoed, doors slammed. There were hardly any guests.' That night But it's the positive values and the glint of laughter, never Malcolm had a frighteningly high fever. The doctor far from her eyes, which come through in the books. wouldn't come and there was no aspirin. After an anxious She is modest, even self-effacing and, when it comes to night, aspirin was found and all was well. That experience telling how she came to write her first book, almost and the sight of a convalescent child lost in the fantasy of ashamedly apologetic. 'I've told this story so many times ... playing with his toy motorcycle and ambulance on the After world war two we bought a house. The back bedroom stripes of the bedspread was the genesis for The Mouse had no furniture, just a kitchen table. And the former owner and the Motorcycle. It was an immediate success, with had left a pile of typing paper in the linen closet. I said, "I Malcolm and children generally, as was the sequel, Run- guess if I'm ever going to write a book I'd better do it. Either away Ralph. 'Every post brings letters from small boys do it or put it out of my mind forever." My husband said, asking for another book about Ralph. I have one in mind; but "Why don't you?" I said, "Well we never have any sharp I haven'tfelt like writing it. Forone thing Ralph doesn't have pencils." So he went straight out and bought a pencil the nuances of character that appeal to me in Ramona. But sharpener.' they were lots of fun to write.' Lucky he did. Or Beverly Cleary would never have been able Not all of Beverly Cleary's books are published in this to disprove what she was taught at library school — that country. Of her four books about older children Fifteen, children don't like reading about children younger than written in the fifties, is available and popular. 'I don't really themselves, and that boys will not read about girls. And we know why I wrote it. I just felt like it and I enjoyed the would have been deprived of a set of books that really get change of pace. Jane, the central character, is really one of children interested in reading.• 16 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Exciting new children's books Flambards Divided by Kathleen Peyton The eagerly awaited sequel to the award winning trilogy 'Flambards' 019 271452 X £5.95 272 pages, 21.5x 13.5cm March26th The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde An exceptional version of Oscar Wilde's charming and well-loved story. 0192797506 £4.50 40 pages, 24 x 32cm March 5th Atkil's Big Swim by Inga Moore A charming story about a mouse, born in Dover, who swims the channel. 0195542500 ^ £3.95 32 pages, 28 x 21.5cm February 12th

Illustration from Flambards Divided

Oxford Books for Children BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 17 HOW TO... Stock your bookshop Brian Joyce who runs a book- shop at St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School suggests if s im- portant to Learn from your customers I open the bookshop every day and ever since it started in September 19781 have kept a record of every sale in a file. I enter not only the title of the book but also the date, price, sex of child and classroom number. This was, as it turned out, an extremely useful piece of forethought. Using the details I can work out sales trends over the terms using pie graphs. Although using cold figures and percentages with children can be dangerous, it is most effective as a source of information on what the 1st Term Sept-Dec'78 children want and what the children think they want but later dis- criminate against. General patterns are visible and it is evident that the teacher when ordering should listen to this silent voice. Teachers tend to choose well-proven literature for fear of failure and to show to outsiders that their bookshop maintains a high standard of stock. Both these views should be looked at closely. Children must have a chance to choose 'poor' literature as well as 'good' so that they can through a process of years learn to praise, criticise and discriminate. By studying the graphs you will notice a gradual decrease in fiction until it reaches a plateau of 20%. The first term's stock reflected my choice but gradually through the terms the children have dictated the choice of fiction and other categories. By the fifth term, for example, the sale of religious books has multiplied enormously — prayer books, missals and bibles mainly. We are a Roman Catholic school and therefore have our specific needs. Each school serves a community whether it's geo- graphical, social or religious, and each teacher must understand those needs and then allow and cater for them with bookshop stock and books in the classroom. Looking through the sales file once more I noticed a sudden spell of sales of TV/film tie-ins; these sales petered out until the very popular Grange Hill and Wprzel Gummidge series. To discover why, I asked the children buying these books a few questions. The results to the 2nd Term Jan questionnaires were unexpected. 36% of the tie-ins sold were not read or -Apr '79 not finished. The reason? The stories did not live up to the expectations of the film or series. Although the film or TV series reached a wide age range, the books were usually limited to a higher reading age. Running a school bookshop has helped us to eradicate waste. We can browse through new paperbacks, discuss their values, both educational and cost. And by monitoring sales, talking to the children and listening to their comments, we are learning something about our children's interests and dislikes. 0 1st Term 550 books 2nd Term 530 books Figures on graphs are percentages. 3rd Term 201 books 4th Term 470 books

3rd Term Apr-July

Fiction

Picture Stories

Reference/religion/sport/hobbies/poems 4th Term Sept-Dec 5th Term Jan - Apr '80 I | Science/nature/geography I I . Puzzles/games/humour/jokes 18 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 If I had some money 1 would buy th With school bookshops reporting big sales for non-fiction, we thought it was about time we took a closer look at what is currently available and got some consumer reaction. We sent a batch of recent titles intended for pocket-money buying to Cathy Lister, David Bennett and Bill Boyle to try out in their schools. The comments that came back from three very different schools reveal these particular bookshop users as having quite a lot in common when it comes to choosing non-fiction. • Am I interested? Do I need it? Is it useful? are the first questions. The To give a more detailed look at the answers are those of sophisticated reactions of the children and their Illustration from 'Amazing Facts book buyers. teachers we've grouped some of the about Animals' 'I might buy this book if I was books they saw under three headings. interested in the things inside, but I aren't, so I wouldn't.' 'This book is useful if you don't know a lot about )A new series gardening. This book is not useful to me because I know a lot about it already.' 'If I could get a similar book Amazing Facts about in the library I'd still buy it because you can't keep library books.' 'A Guide Prehistoric Animals could give you this information and ill. Bobbie Craig, Carousel, give you a more accurate view of what 0 552 57046 X, 95p being a Girl Guide is like.' 'I don't Amazing Facts about Your know anything about Chess. If I wanted to learn I think I could use this Body book.' ill. Bobbie Craig, Carousel, 055257045 1, 95p • Presentation — layout, illustration, design — evokes a more varied Amazing Facts about Our response. Earth 'Too many pictures and diagrams', ill. Penny Simon, Carousel, 'Very helpful, clear diagrams.' 0 552 57047 8, 95p (Beginners Guide to Playing Chess, Usborne) Amazing Facts about Animals 'If you looked at the cover you would think it was easy but there are too ill. Bobbie Craig, Carousel, many complicated diagrams and some 0 552 57<~ <4 3, 95p The 3-toed sloth moves at are hard to understand.' 'The pictures Bill Boyle: 'I am sometimes suspicious i,§"-2*4 km. per hoar, are easy to understand and it is clearly of the 'zappy' approach; but there's no slower thajitlie slowest written.' (Whizz Kids Chess, doubt that in this case it appeals to the Macdonald) audience it's aiming at. The kids reptile, They are wary of covers: 'The front thought it was marvellous — a hands the cover looks good, but it should be the down winner. Language is correctly same inside.' aimed and explanations clear and tortoise, • The universal thumbs down is for exact. Illustrations are superb, 'small print'; but even that is ignored if especially in the prehistoric book — the enthusiasm is strong enough. 'The without them the considerable amount print was quite small but with a of 'heavy' data would have been magnifying glass I could see.' (Playing indigestible.' Chess, Usborne) Cathy Lister: 'The boys particularly Response to illustration is very were intrigued by these books. personal. But if there is no interest or Although they were at times willingness to be interested no amount disparaging about the cartoony of colour, detailed illustrations, funny illustrations it was difficult to prise the drawings or beautiful design can help a books away from them. The 12-13 love the brightness. I hate doctors, book escape the damning, 'Boring'. year olds dismissed them as 'babyish' dentists and hospitals, but this book and 'boring' but I think that was tells you about your body in a way that What they are prepared to be seen because they didn't want to be seen doesn't frighten you,' (Linda, 11). 'This enjoying appears to be important for taking seriously anything that looks like book is GREAT. It tells you all you some who have an 'image' to keep up. 'kids' stuff. They were in fact much want to know about animals. The On this evidence the new Carousel more interested than they were pictures are ace. It is very cheap. It is series may be dismissed by some over- prepared to admit. Younger children worth it,' (John, 11). 'I thought it was elevens unless it gains acceptability or were fascinated and truly 'amazed'; great because it was funny. It is very 'cult' status. they spent hours with the books. A easy to understand. I did not know • Value for money is clearly a great catalyst for talk.' many of those facts about the earth,' concern. But it is interesting that these The children agree . . . mostly. 'A (Andrew, 12). 'I like the pictures but new book buyers are free of the serious subject looked at with a sense there is not enough writing. It is not memory of much cheaper books four or of humour, which made it interesting worth 95p,' (Peter, 11). 'I like this book five years ago. 'It's only 75p', 'It isn't and enjoyable for me. I probably because it is easy to read and it's a big very much money' (85p). Indeed wouldn't have read it if it had been too book and it only costs 95p,' (Stephen, compared to the current price of serious,' (Joanne, 12). 'This book is 10). 'I wouldn't put this book on a records (a pop single retails at £1- great. The illustrations help to make it shelf. I would look at it day and night. £1.20) books must look good value — so interesting that I could sit for hours There is enough information in these if you really want to buy one. reading it. Great value.' (Helen, 11). 'I books,' (James, 10). BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 19

The Ladybird learnabout was also commended. is book 'I think the pictures are beautiful enough to make anyone buy the book. Well worth the money,' (Joanna, 11). >Pets David Bennett agrees. 'Well illustrated Puppies and Dogs with photographs and not those rather Sheila Alcock, Macdonald Whizz lack-lustre drawings that used to characterise Ladybirds. I'm going to Kids pass this one to my wife who is doing 035606332 1, 95p battle with our own dog of very little Learn about Training Your brain.' Dog Cats in Fact and Legend goes beyond Wynter Weston, Ladybird, 'practical hints for pet owners' and 0 7214 0644 0, 40p aims to be of general interest. David Bennett: 'I'm a cat addict but it didn't Kittens and Cats do muc.Ii for me. The child giving a talk Michael Findlay, Macdonald or doing a project will find less Whizz Kids, common information here than in more 035606331 3, 85p standard books.' 'Interesting and unusual. But 90p is Page illustration from 'Devils and Demons' Cats in Fact and Legend quite a lot of money compared with Adele Millard, Piccolo, Do the children agree? 0 330 25816, 90p other 'fact' books you can get on cats. I'd put it at about 75p. There are some Ghosts. 'The glossy pictures make the words I don't think anyone younger stories more exciting,' (Joanne, 12). 'I than eleven would understand,' thought the words were too small and I (Michelle, 12). could not understand some of them,' (Robbie, 10). 'I would have liked stories better. These are more like bits IGhosts and Horror and pieces of information,' (Melanie, Ghosts 11). 'I liked the scary cover,' (Debbie, David Lambert, Piccolo Explorer 11). (Mystery Series), 'Are ghosts really true or is it the mind 0 330 26356 0, 75P playing tricks? The book didn't really answer that question for me. It tells a Devils and Demons lot about what happened in houses and Eric Maple, Piccolo Explorer left me with a lot of questions,' (Helen, (Mystery Series), 11). 0 330 26357 9, 75p Devils and Demons 'Good pictures, •,..< . :i> .! :• .-, .. . ,',. :..: '-,.'-. V,. =:,-', ,'" f '. The Beaver Book of Horror really weird. It doesn't take long to ii;;H:i€ "f <;^S^^ Daniel Parson, Beaver, read though because it doesn't cover 0600 31395 6, £1 things thoroughly enough. The cover is misleading because the pictures inside The two Whizz Kids titles (and others I've Seen a Ghost are not as horrific,' (Jonathon and in the series we tried out as well) were Richard Davis (ed), Granada, Anthony, 12). well received. 'Very interesting' was the 0 583 30426 5, 95p most frequent phrase and the children David Bennett: 'Kids relish horror and liked the design and layout: 'clear and there are a vast number of titles that helpful diagrams', 'good illustrations', cater for this. I've Seen a Ghost trades 'the cover made we want to read the on the 'personalities' ticket — the book.' The two books appealed famous or near-famous have been particularly to pet owners or would-be invited to relate their chilling pet owners. 'Jam packed with advice. experiences. Fortunately most of the All the information you need to know contributors are introduced. The on keeping your own pet,' (Joanne, 12). Beaver Book of Horror will probably 'My dog has just had a litter of eight sell better. There are some good puppies and it gives me a lot of photographs and it is set out in a information,' (Stephen, 11). 'Our dog is methodical way. For the older child ready for pups so it would be useful to who wants information rather than a me,' (Robert, 10). 'A super book for vicarious scare this would be a good someone who has just had a dog. It is buy. Relatively little information is very helpful,' (Susan, 11). contained in Devils and Demons but Value for pocket money? 'Worth every the illustrations are suitably horrific to penny,' (Susan). 'A great buy for not a raise bad dreams. I can never be sure lot of money,' (Joanne). what age-group Piccolo Explorers are Bill Boyle could see a place for this aimed at. The appearance and format series in the classroom too. 'The books suggest a picture book, yet the content are visually quite attractive and the and language indicate that an older readability level is about right for audience is intended.' average 10+ children. There are no Bill Boyle agrees. 'The Piccolo large areas of text to encourage the Explorers left me feeling like saying, pointless exercise of copying huge 'So what?'. The text was lifeless and Beaver Book of Horror 'The front chunks of verbiage without the faintest the one-dimensional illustrations failed cover was very impressive and well idea of meaning. Plenty of practical to 'lift' the pages at all. Readability is thought out. The stories were exciting suggestions for activities with some 11-12 at least (and I'm probably being and some weird. The quiz was good, point and relevance to the subject. generous) for the text is quite but I hadn't heard of some of the Useful reference sections: glossary, demanding of concentration and the people like Bela Lugosi and Edgar booklist, places to visit, useful print is small. We know that colour Allan Poe. My mum liked it too. A addresses and open-ended suggestions printing is expensive — but 24 pages good book for the price,' (Jennifer, 12). for continuing the project. Good value for 75p? Lack of value for money is I've Seen a Ghost 'The cover was (especially compared to some of the made all the more obvious by the very impressive. It's so interesting. I worthless fiction we are asked to pay minimal amount of information on think any boy or girl would enjoy it,' almost £1 for). some of the pages.' (Andrew, 12).* 20 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Brian Walsh and Nick Tucker consider the question from two points of view.

The adventure comic has narrowed in The first issue of Funny number and range to a few, mostly about Folks appeared on 12th war, like Battle, Warlord, Sub-mariner and 2000AD. Are we seeing the slow extinction December 1874. A lot of the 'funny'? has happened to comics To find out I went into a local junior school and asked 142 kids between the ages of 7 since then but the funny and 11 what was their favourite comic. Of the 105 who had comics, over a third (43) papers have remained named one of six 'funnies', with Beano way out in front (29 mentions). Girls-only comics with us. How are the got 38 mentions with Tracy, a relative titles of 1981 facing up newcomer out in front (13 mentions). The 'space-invaders' such as The Empire to competition from Strikes Back trailed in with 24 assorted mentions. So Beano lives on, now well past vampires, monsters and its two thousandth number and thriving: the current issue recognisably the same as the aliens from other first in 1937. worlds? There's nothing more doomed to fail than an analysis of humour though some have tried Brian Walsh went to account for the appeal of Beano and Dandy, describing the Bash St. Kids as round to the corner 'instruments of anarchy' and Dennis the Menace as 'a malign demon'. Well, maybe, shop to find out. but after looking through the current issue I'd like to think the secret lies in its Out of forty-six titles on the racks only a consistency of point of view and style, not to measly four were 'funnies': Beano, Dandy, mention value for money. For a mere 9p Topper and Jackpot. That's discounting you are offered no less than seventeen short some of the papers for the youngest children comedies, or expanded gags, each drawn in like Pippin, and Playhour the characteristic graphic line and each which set out to amuse in a pasteurised way, presented consistently from the child's and some of the stories in the girls-only perspective, even if it features the mobile weeklies like /, Tracy and canine ink-blot, , or the which have been known to bring anthropomorphic mice, The Nibblers. The smiles to the faces of readers (though it sense of solidarity is further increased by the sometimes seems to me that the main aim of open invitation to join the Dennis the this group of comics is to move kids on to Menace Fan Club, including Gnasher's the love-interest, pop music and problem Fang Club, with badges (one hairy with pages of the new photo-realistic Loving, moving eyes) and readers' jokes and letters Love Affair and Photo-Love, and ultimately which, if printed, win extremely covetable to addiction to women's magazines.) Of the Dennis tee-shirts. rest, four, significantly, were new publications from Marvel Comics, with titles Some of these features are shared by other like Future Tense and Savage Action, 'funnies' like Dandy, and Whizzer featuring characters like Man-Thing, the and Chips, but for me Beano, as the kids I most awesome swamp creature of all, and saw confirmed, is still out in front. No Molecule Man, a spectre from the past. wonder the local library keeps it under the desk with items on restricted loan. Dandy Like any other, the world of children's and Beano survived the intense competition comics is subject to change, specially since of television in the Fifties and Sixties. it's still big business. Geoff Fenwick writing Interestingly, some of the work of current in 1977 estimated that ten million comics TV favourites like Bill Oddie, Michael Palin were sold weekly in Britain bringing in and Rowan Atkinson seems to have links something like £20 million, much of that , Korky the Cat, a Jock, Desperate Dawg & , from with the humour of children's comics. In shared between the giants IPC and D.C. '' books, Raymond Briggs makes links between Thomson. New titles appear while others his art and that of comic books, mentioning merge or sink with hardly a trace. It's a hard Asterix, Tintin and Rupert. But I suspect world, the world of comics. only the last survives today and in much altered form at that. Once packed with solid- there's more than a hint of Desperate Dan Anyone looking back over the history of print stories that read like chapters in books, and some of the unmentionable habits of comics will find two distinct traditions. In about a whole range of experience — Minnie the Minx behind Fungus the America comics have always been produced sport, war, school, exploration — a recent Bogeyman and his dreadful wife. with an adult readership in mind, although issue is nothing but picture-stories with the Watch out, Shandra the She Barbarian of they are, of course, read by kids (hence the verbal content cut to a minimum. The Space, Dennis and his pals are fighting back, fuss about horror comics in the fifties and featured sport is golf, would you believe, and I and a few million kids have got money the publishers' agreement on standards in several stories are set in America and the on them to win the next round in the battle the Comics Code Authority.) The new lead item is a blatant sell-out to the 'space- of the comics. • Marvel titles are in this line. The British invaders', featuring King Cobra who tradition of comic publishing is founded on metamorphoses from mild-mannered Bill comedy and on adventure for boys. The King at the zip of a scaly suit. There's even latter begins with The Gem and The a problem page: 'If you have a problem you Magnet and The Boys Own Paper, living want advice on send it to Andy. . .' What Brian Walsh taught for twenty years in on through the famous four, Wizard, Rover, Rockfist Rogan would have thought of that I schools and colleges before becoming a LEA Adventure and Hotspur, of which sadly shudder to think. Adviser. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 21

Adult attitudes to comics range from nostalgia to suspicion. There are fears that comics are subversive, calls for censorship. Are comics harmful? Do the funnies have a part to play in growing up? We asked Nicholas Tucker for his opinion

For a small child, almost every book, together experience of life is neither here nor there. In with most educational comics, will be bought comic-land, everything works to rule, and for him or her by someone else. Such 'parent- once you have learned the few rules that buys', of course, can often be loved very apply there, you can simply sit back and much, but there is rarely quite that absolute enjoy it all, without ever being brought short freedom to stuff them into pockets, cut out by that tedious and sometimes disheartening bits from them, swap them with friends, or experience of not being able to understand. simply throw them away when finished. Such Even if a few of the words are difficult, there valuable freedom, though, usually obtains in will always be pictures to help out with the case of comics that children have bought before and after contextual cues, so important for themselves. That is why the extraordinarily when it comes to the business of trying to cheap price of the 'funnies' is still one of make sense of any written down or illustrated their most significant aspects for the young. story. Here, after all, is something that for only a few pence can either arrive importantly each Ease of comprehension, although pleasurable in itself, is also a means to an end, whereby week with the family newspaper, or else be children can arrive in easy stages at the heart bought with all the deliberation of those first of what the funnies are really about. Looking genuine financial transactions with otherwise at the repetitive examples of aggression, impersonal newsagents. greed, mess, lying and stealing that run Once at school, young readers will find that through such comics, one can only conclude other children may also be reading the same that as in so much art, the funnies chiefly comics, and they will therefore be able to celebrate those things that most of their swap stories or casual references with each readers are otherwise learning to put to one other as easily and confidently as their own side in real life, or else. In this sense, the parents sometimes rehash the contents of funnies enable children to let off steam, just last week's Sunday papers when conversing as romantic novelettes or James Bond stories with their friends. Social inclusion is allow older readers to taste the delights of important for all of us, but especially so for unlikely, often dangerous adventures in the the infant or junior striving to keep afloat in safety of the imagination. Children's books the hurly-burly of the school playground. It offer this sort of opportunity too, of course, may well be that references to last night's but seldom'in such a whole-hearted way as in television now heavily outweigh any the comics. So if you sometimes resent Mum conversation about Lord Snooty or Dennis the and Dad or the teacher's authority over you, Menace. But even so, comics are still very or else daydream about beating up the school popular with children, and have so far shown bully, it is comics that will show you how this no signs of being killed off in the way that might be done and what it might feel like. was once predicted when television viewing And as the characters in the funnies look like first became wide-spread. grotesque caricatures rather than recognisable people, it is possible to watch Equally, it is hard for most television them put to a great deal of pain and anguish programmes to rival, at least for long, the without ever having to feel guilty about immediate intellectual and emotional enjoying the spectacle. accessibility of the funnies for most children. For the young, the world is often a highly The diminishing number of parents and confusing and arbitrary place, but in the teachers who continue to object to such comic strip everything soon becomes crystal comics, therefore, are surely missing the .clear. Every main character, after all, will act point. The funnies may show children things in a few, very stereotyped ways. Once it is they would like to see, but only in a comic learned, for example, that Desperate Dan has strip, and even here most trangressions are super-human strength and a vast appetite, it usually punished in the last frame, either by will simply be a question of seeing how these Dad wielding a slipper or by teacher with his particular characteristics will be deployed omni-present cane. At the same time, comics each week. There will be no possibility that always steer well away from the genuinely Dan will ever develop as a character in the seamy aspects of childhood, such as the way that Long John Silver, for example, racial insults sometimes heard in the changes from being a total villain into playground, the whispered smut in the someone harder to judge and pin down (a lavatories, or the experiments with glue- phenomenon known to American literary sniffing or whatever else may be 'in' at that critics as 'role-drift'). Similarly, the people particular moment for inner-city children at Dan meets will be as clearly advertised as if risk. In this light, the funnies can seem they had slogans written on their chests. deeply conventional and often highly Mayors, for example, always bear chains of moralistic beneath all that show of aggressive office, convicts wear suits decorated with energy, and if children find them amusing and broad arrows, burglars disport black masks entertaining as well, who should worry? 9 and bags of swag, and dentists tend to have names like 'I. Pullem' plus window-displays of what look like sets of plumbers' tools. Such characters will also act in utterly predictable ways. Goats, for example, will either butt or else eat tin cans, teachers will usually cane, and absent-minded professors will invariably come into contact with examples of wet Gnasher, , the Nibblers, paint. Dennis the Menace, Lord Snooty, the Bash Street Kids' teacher & Minnie the Nicholas Tucker teaches in the The fact that such stereotypes may be Minx, from '' University of Sussex and has written completely foreign to a child's actual widely about children and children's books. 22 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

As part of the selection procedure, shortlisted manuscripts will be submitted by the judges to a panel of young readers (including Catriona Goldie, Kathleen Fidler's granddaughter) whose views will be taken into account. Details from NBL Scotland, 15a Lynedoch Street, Glasgow G3 6EF. The winning entry will be announced on 12th February 1982, the anniversary of the publication of Kathleen Fidler's kst book, The Ghost of Sandeel Bay, an adventure story in which a group of re- sourceful children on holiday in Scotland outwit some sinister smugglers (Blackie, £4.95).

The ChUdren's Book Award Another new award, this time for the book, published in 1980 which children have enjoyed most. The award is made by the Feder- ation of Children's Book Groups and this year's winner will be The Kathleen Fidler Award, announced on 3rd April in Cambridge at the Federation's Spring photographed by J. K. Conference. McGregor, Edinburgh Adults and children have been 'testing' books during the year. Reports have been collected from all over the country and a short- The Kathleen Fidler Award list has been re-tested. The final selection will be made in March. This new award for young Scottish writers of children's fiction is a The award which is unusual in that it takes children's response into memorial to Kathleen Fidler who died last year, aged 81. account will be made annually. We shall publish the results in the Kathleen Fidler was the author of over eighty books for children, next issue. and over five hundred broadcasts for BBC Children's Hour and Schools Broadcasting. She was born in Leicestershire, and educated Plans are well in hand for nine in Lancashire where she eventually became one of the youngest BARNSLEY days of book-based events headteachers ever when she took over Goose Green School in Wigan culminating in Children's Day while she was still in her twenties. on 13th , with a fancy In 1930 she married and moved to Edinburgh where she began dress parade, author writing and became a much-loved figure in the children's book appearances, story-telling, and world. She was much in demand as a speaker and her friendly style a grand prize-giving. and sense of humour ensured her a warm reception from everyone she met. She loved books and did a great deal to encourage adults There will be competitions in and particularly children to share that love. Her story Flash the schools as a run-up to the Sheep Dog was made into a prize-winning film and Haki the Shet- Bonanza and throughout the land Pony was adapted for television. week a Book Hunt, starting at the Junior Library, which will The award, a rosewood and silver trophy and a prize of £250, is for involve following a trail an unpublished novel for the 8-12 age group. Authors must be around displays in local shop under 30 and of Scottish parentage or resident in Scotland. It is BONANZA windows and finding answers sponsored by Blackie & Son Ltd (Kathleen Fidler's publishers) and New Dates 5th- 13th to booky questions. The logo will be administered by the Edinburgh Children's Book Group and June design for the Bonanza is also the National Book League in Scotland. the result of a local

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE David flees (Winner of the 1978 Carnegie medal) Based on a true event, this compelling story links the desperation of an escaped prisoner on Dartmoor and the initiative and daring shown by a young boy in his attempt to rescue his mother. 0080250068 £2.50

GHOST SHIP TO GANDYMEDE Robert Swindells The Space-Mad Three stow away on a spaceship and arrive, not at an orbiting space station, as they expect, but on the distant and dangerous planet of Ganymede, where they are faced with a battle of survival. 0080250076 £2.95 Robert Swindells' previous book 'The Moonpath and Other Stories' was shortlisted for the 1980 National Book Award for Children's Literature. THE SKETCHBOOK CRIME Helen Morgan The Stuart children are excited by the prospect of an Easter holiday in London, but hardly expect to be caught up in a real adventure — a jewel robbery and a kidnapping. 0080256082 £2.50

THE SPACE-WAIFS How Brian and Brenda befriend the little creatures from a real space-capsule who for their pan are able to do a good turn for the Barrington family. 0080256120 £2.50

BUTTERCUP WILLIE David Oakden Wilhelmina Amanda Smith alias Buttercup Willie is a little girl full of good intentions who some- how only succeeds in leaving a trail of chaos behind her. With her hilariously odd family, she becomes involved in a series of amusing Each book 64-96pp with black and white illustrations 210 x 148mm hardback escapades. A. Wheaton & Co. Ltd., Hennock Road, Exeter, Devon, England EX2 8RP 008 025005 X £2.50 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 23 competition. The winner was Graham Owen who teaches graphic design at Wakefield District College. Althea's i ' Bookshop

Althea Goes Mobile Aside from her involvement with Dinosaur Publications A New How To ... Enid Blyton Lives Book Events Ahead Althea has joined her husband, How to Organise a Children's Or so it seems. On 23rd April 27th April-4th May Edward Parker, in a new Book Fair has been revised Knight will publish two new Lancaster Literature Festival, venture - a mobile bookshop. and updated. The new version Famous Five Adventures. On this year includes a mini- Althea's Bookshop is housed of this useful booklet is the covers (all we've seen so festival of children's literature. in a 22ft long caravan pulled available from the Book far) no author's name appears Details from Margaret by a Land Rover and is Marketing Council, 19 - just the numbers 1 and 2. Eddershaw, Bath House, Bath stocked with books from Bedford Sqare, London WC1B Apparently this strange Street, Lancaster. Dinosaur and Penguin. The 3HJ. Details from Michelle practice doesn't mean that EB lst-5th June bookshop hopes to visit Oberman (01-580 6321). has found a way of sending Cambridge Children's Poetry schools, playgroups, book yet more manuscripts from Week. • events; and, as there are plans 'the other side'; merely that an for storytelling and Happy Birthday Babar as yet anonymous French competitions, it could be seen The first Babar the Elephant person has taken up the as an 'event' in itself. The idea book by Jean de Brunhoff was Famous Five where she left is to co-operate with and published fifty years ago this them. Anthea Bell (see page complement local booksellers year. After Jean's death his 12) has done the translations. and school bookshops in East son, Laurent, continued the We will have to wait to see how Anglia. For more information stories and there are now a these Gallic adventurers contact Beech House, Over, string of Babar stories compare with the originals. Cambridge (Tel: 0954 30324). published in this country by Meanwhile, addicts eager for a Methuen. Fifty is still quite new fix should be warned they young for an elephant — it's are not actually getting the also a good excuse for a party. genuine article, just books by numbers.

The genuine article ...

Exciting enough to be among Trouble is brewing at Pine The signs and portents were Everything children (and the first pupils at the School Street. Bully Bert Clay is much too strong. Added to adults) need to know about on the Moon, but even more plotting trouble — his former which, and no less a portent raising a puppy, told as a exciting to foil a plot by an crony, Reg Ditton, after saving as it happened, Bessie's delightful story for young unscrupulous Middle Eastern Samantha s life, is not only a thumbs had begun to prickle children. Full colour tyrant who plans to take the member of the Pine Street . . .'It is All Hallows Eve; the illustrations. The book is Moon over and hold the Earth Gang, but a hero as well. To wicked Marcia and her coven endorsed by the PDSAand to ransom. A gripping cap it all, Bert's painting is are determined that this year has a section for adults at the adventure story by the rejected for the Pine Street the White Council will not foil back. masterly Hugh Walters. Mural. Bert is determined on their attempts to gain SASHA THE SCHOOL ON THE revenge. Samantha saves the possession of the Mallyon by CONSTANCE MILBURN MOON day —but only just! Jewel. And again it is Bessie illustrated by by HUGH WALTERS THE PINE STREET and her grandchildren Sophie Frank Rodgers A Red Grasshopper PROBLEM and Hugh whose task it is £1.95 (paperback) 95p (paperback) by MABEL ESTHER ALLAN TO TRICK A WITCH ISBN 0216 90966 X for 6-8 year-olds A Blue Grasshopper £1.25 by MARGARET ELLIOT Also available in hardback ISBN 0 200 72743 5 (paperback) A Green Grasshopper 95p (£3 95) Also available in hardback for 8-10 year-olds (paperback) ISBN 0216 90861 2 (£3.50) ISBN 0200 727400 for 10-11 year-olds ISBN 0200 727443 Also available in hardback ISBN 0200 72748 6 Great Children's Books (£3.95) Also available in hardback From Blackie& Abelard ISBN 0200 72738 9 (£3.50) ISBN 0200 72749 4 THIS WAY TO THE SCHOOL 24 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Have you got a bee in your bonnet about any aspect of books? Do you sometimes feel like handing out bouquets or brick- bats to booksellers, publishers, authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians . . . Here's your chance. Steve Bowles starts off with a swipe at \y Snares'

Next time you hear the old sob story about all the dreadful un- It shows no stylistic invention, occasionally makes references solicited manuscripts which children's book editors receive, save the inappropriate to its audience. Yet this quintessence of mediocrity paper hankies and ask yourself why so many people believe their swarms in my local Smith's. scribbles worthy of a publisher's attention. Could these aspiring authors regard a lot of published material as little better than the The inescapable Frank Muir's What-a-mess books show more uninspired, unoriginal dross they write themselves? I wouldn't argue. awareness of the relationship between humour and style — but this Maybe they write that way because of things they see published. can result in convoluted sentences which seem out of place in picture books. Compare the simplicity of a quality children's author Reasons for the low standards of kids' fiction are legion: nepotism, like Rosemary Wells. I wouldn't give Muir many marks for ideas, various problems with 'established authors', reliance upon Classics either; reincarnating Mr Pastry as an Afghan puppy hardly warrants or folk tales. But one major factor encouraging people's belief that acclaim. Laborious, boringly repetitive, what success the books have any idiot can write stories for children must be the growing trend of with kids is almost entirely attributable to the artist, Joseph Wright. publishing books by Celebrities. Take The Old Man of Lochnagar. I (The way artists can compensate for the story's deficiencies know HRH wrote it for family amusement, that royalties go to probably accounts for Celebrities congregating among books for charity, but one expects a future King to have a little pride. Perhaps littlies — along with small matters like amount of time the work worthy causes outweighed personal considerations? Yet a sponsored requires and £-per-minute return.) leap from Beachy Head would produce just as much cash. And if, Recent books by John Noakes, Clement Freud, Jilly Cooper, Pam like most sponsored activities, this wouldn't constitute an outright Ayres, Nanette Newman and others could be criticised similarly. public good, at least it wouldn't be a positive mischief. Chances are, (What happened to the respect for literary standards which editors anyone reading Lochnagar could do better themselves and that can invoke so eagerly when facing demands for more working-class, only harm the general standing of children's literature. multi-ethnic or anti-sexist stories?) This one-off wouldn't signify if Celebrity books didn't corner so In hard times, temptations to take or invite books from Celebrities much publicity, hog shelf-space in shops and divert money from are difficult for some publishers to resist. Publicity is a major worthwhile titles. Written by nobodies like you and me, many problem with kids' books. (Yes, the present system needs improving would never be published. Consider Harry Secombe's Nurgla. It's but even so . . .) Famous Name Authors catch the public/booksellers' not Lochnagar awful; at least there's a developing story of sorts, eye. Publicity creates bestsellers. But, long term, such retrograde although the plot's disjointed progress can confuse kids. It makes no steps will no more create a mass market than gimmicks like attempt to touch their inner lives or social preoccupations as it Masquerade. Moles tell of refusals for some outstanding children's strains to entertain, relying exclusively upon inclusion of a monster books before they eventually reached the light. Logic insists that for any effect it achieves, a device which has been slave to thousands. other good stories must disappear for ever. •

If YOU have something to say, write it down (max. 500 words) and send it to the Editor (address on page 2).

SBA Services and Publications Quantity £ p Quantity £ p ORDER * 1 wish to take out a * Poster Packs subscription to Books for 90p each Keeps (six issues) Primary O FORM commencing with Issue No — Secondary O £4.50 (or £7.50 overseas) for Name six issues * Book Bank Savings Cards 5p each (minimum order 20 * How to Set Up and Run a cards) Address School Bookshop Primary O £1.20 per copy Secondary O * Badges * OIY School Bookshop Unit 10p each (minimum order 5 Plans badges) £1 .00 per copy Books for Keeps OK O Piccolo Guess What O Total I'm a Sparrow fan O •MlME * Penguin Paper Bags Please make cheques/postal £1.20 per 100 orders payable to the School * Authorgraphs Bookshop Association. All prices include postage and packing. 40p each Return this form to: No. 2 Penelope Lively O SBA, For more details of items listed No. 3 Malcolm Seville O 1 Effingham Road, on this form, turn to the back No. 5 Pat Hutchins O Lee, . page. London SE12 8NZ. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 25 SOUND AND VISION Little Lord Fauntteroy The film of this Victorian classic goes on general release in March. How faithful is it to the original? Barry Cunningham went along to a preview to find out. The book has been filmed twice before — in 1922 with Mary Pickford playing the boy and his mother, and in 1 936 with Freddie Bartholemew in the long curls and lace collar which have become associated with the name Fauntleroy. But this film, as the Director, Jack Gold, is quick to point out, is the first in which Little Lord Fauntleroy has been accurately cast as a genuinely American inheritor of his English grandfather's Earldom. But why the remake? What is Little Lord Fauntleroy to today's audience? Rereading the book it is easy to see its natural screen attraction. The story, which lacks the stodginess of much contemporary work, progresses through set pieces, lightly moving back and forth as the boy's artlessness exposes the kindliness buried beneath his grandfather's cantankerous exterior. Humour and pathos come and go like sunshine and showers, and the open-hearted little boy with the beautiful blond curls carries all before him. The film retains this grand optimistic progress, skilfully managing to avoid the sentimentality which for a modern reader lurks in the book, by bringing out more of the fun inherent in the various formal confrontations. The sentiment of the original it rightly retains and its ruthless manipulation of the heart strings, using much of the dialogue from the book, strikes enough chords to keep the shareholders in Kleenex crying happily into their paper profits. This is largely thanks to the careful and restrained performances of Alec Guinness as the Earl of Dorincourt, Ricky Schroder as the boy and Connie Booth as his mother, Dearest. Add to this dazzlingly talented package some beautiful photography of the English countryside at Belvoir Castle and a selection of lovable characters: old retainer (Eric Porter), folksy Yank (Colin Blakely), and numerous adoring down-trodden poor, and Little Lord Fauntleroy will surely have the whole family captive and enchanted. Of course that's what it's all about, enchantment. Afairy story as distanced from fact as that of Luke Skywalker and the Princess. The message of benevolent autocracy may be literally too big a pill to swallow — but the coating is delicious. Don't think, just weep and smile, and you and your children, your granny, her granny, your mother's best friend, Aunty Edna, Snotty Edward will enjoy the film and the book immensely. The Penguin tie-in editions are illustrated by the beautifully atmospheric set drawings which introduce and end the film, gradually drawing you into and releasing you from the fantasy. The film accurately retains all the atmosphere, character and emotion of the original; and the book's enduring power is reconfirmed. Little Lord Fauntleroy, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Puffin, 0 14 03.1411 3, Like The Secret Garden, a comfortable classic. 85p (and, inexplicably, in Penguin at 95p!)

Meet Yok Yok The latest character to appear when I see it. (New Also in the autumn we may in books and on television, subscribers puzzled by that have The Coral Island Yok Yok, is the creation of remark might like to know that (Thames) and The Day of the Etienne Delessert and will be we have been announcing the Triffids (BBC). seen in a weekly imminent arrival of Bagthorpes programme for younger on TV since last March. Ed.) Flambards Sequel children which starts on 3rd Planned to coincide with a re- April (ITV). Vice-Versa run of the very successful A family serial in seven Flambards series (Yorkshire There are six books about Yok episodes from ATV based on TV) comes Flambards Yok from Moonlight F. Anstey's classic story of a Divided, Kathleen Peyton's Publishing. Each one has four father and son changing bodies sequel to her Flambards simple stories and full colour (Puffin). First episode 5th trilogy (OUP, £5.95). illustration. The books are April. aimed at two to six-year-olds, Film Tie-ins for sharing with adults and Bertha and the Hippo have three books on early reading (£1.50 each). Racing Pigeon films in the pipeline: My We hear Pam Ayres will Bodyguard (February), feature her book on her BBC- Herbie Goes Bananas TV Special show the day (March) and Oh Heavenly before publication of the Dog (May). In April the Arrow paperback. paperback tie-in for the new Popeye film is due from YOK-YOK Fontana(£1.95). IN VIEW SOON IN PROSPECT Lord of the Rings on a new hero Radio 4 The Bagthorpe Sage A new series of Smith and The 26-part serial starts in for the under fives Don't laugn. They say it's Goody from Thames. March with a very starry cast going to start on Wednesday, An adaptation of Stig of the of voices including Michael 25th March. I'll believe it Dump in September (Thames). Hordern and Robert Stephens. I 26 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981

Mike Rosen's tone is conversational; the humour lies in the particular way he records the details of everyday existence, especially the 'battleground' between parents and children, teachers and children, YOU TELL IDE and friends. It's all there in the story of Mart, 'my best friend' and the woolly hat, and in his account of swallowing the leg of an alarm clock. Like Roger McGough, he also enjoys playing around with words. Here's the title poem, You Tell Me

Here are the football results: League Division Fun Manchester United won, Manchester City lost. Crystal Palace 2, Buckingham Palace 1 Millwall Leeds nowhere Wolves 8 A cheese roll and had a cup of tea 2 Aldershot 3 Buffalo Bill shot 2 Evertonill, Liverpool's not very well either Newcastle's Heaven Sunderland's a very nice place 2 Ipswhich one? You tell me.

Making kids laugh is a good way into poetry. It disarms opposition, breaks down barriers. Mike Rosen thinks it's something else as well. Roger McGough Michael Rosen 'I find it slightly disconcerting when people, because they have laughed at the things that I have written therefore assume, either In 1979 Kestrel produced a collection of poems by ROGER that I'm not serious as a person, or that poems that make you laugh MCGOUGH and MICHAEL ROSEN. That collection, aren't serious' Children don't go about analysing the fun to find the seriousness, YOU TELL ME, has just come out in paperback. Teachers but it's there to be absorbed. He goes further. 'Most poetry is in who haven't met it before should take note. If you want to some sense political because it is about social relationships. When convince your pupils that poetry isn't just boring stuff it's one to one it doesn't appear immediately; but if you're talking about daffodils, written by people who are now all dead — about anything to do with organisation of human beings and what this is for you. they do to each other, then it's a political thing.' This one's about teachers. Roger McGough and Michael Rosen know that poems to be read by children (and that doesn't mean poems specially written for children) Rodge said, have to be immediately accessible and about things that mean something in their lives. Here there are poems about friends, 'Teachers — they want it all ways — relations, football, school. And they are all funny: sad funny, odd You're jumping up and down on a chair funny, wild funny, clever funny, smile funny and laugh out loud or something funny. and they grab hold of you and say, Some of McGough's best-known poems of the Seventies are in- "Would you do that sort of thing in your own home?" cluded: the sagas of P.C. Plod the famous Liverpool copper, and Nooligan, where at the end of each verse the tough, aggressive voice 'So you say, "No." changes as it adds a disarmingly honest qualification. Here's two and they say verses: "Well don't do it here then." I'm a nooligan 'But if you say, "Yes, I do it at home." got a nard 'ead they say, step out of line "Well, we don't want that sort of thing and youre dead going on here (well, bleedin) thank you very much." I'm a nooligan 'Teachers — they get you all ways,' I spray me name Rodge said. all over town footballs me game *• I' — (well, watchin) A good book for junior or secondary kids, in school or out.

It's the last line of the last verse that makes you think as well as smile. First Day at School recalls for anyone over eight the incompre- hension of that bewildering time. Here's a few lines

What does a lessin look like? Sounds small and slimy They keep them in a glassroom Whole rooms made of glass. Imagine.

You Tell Me, Puffin, 0 14 03.1286 2, 75p

In our next issue. Poet in School reports on Mike Rosen working with a group of Juniors. BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 27

Lloyds Bank is pleased to support The School Bookshop Association MONEY - THE FACTS OF LIFE 5th edition by W. Reay Tolf ree As part of a continuing programme of educational sponsorship this book has been produced by the Bank, in association with the publishers, Woodhead-Faulkner Limited, 8 Market Passage, Cambridge. Written for those starting in regular employment for the first time, the book contains useful information such as how wages and salaries are paid, how to look after money and how to budget Suitable for school-leavers, students, and teachers instructing in money matters. Copies from booksellers or, in cases of difficulty, direct from the publishers. Price 90 pence. MONEY - THE FACTS OF LIFE AudioVisual Presentation A new audio-visual teaching pack based on the book has now been produced, comprising four 20-minute films trips with accompanying cassettes, teachers' notes, suggested projects and a copy of the book. Specifically for classroom use, the filmstrips trace the early working lives of two cartoon characters, Zack and Zelda, through numerous drawings, photographs and charts, combined with a lively informative soundtrack. Each pack costs £30 plus VAT and is available under special preview offer from Public Relations Department (FS),LloydsBank,71LombardStreet1LondonEC3P3BS. 28 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 7 MARCH 1981 SBfl Services & Publications Our intention is to build up gradually a range of items which help you help children come to books with interest and pleasure.

The SBA's new handbook Part 1 What is a school bookshop Includes information on the school bookshop movement itself. Part 2 Why set one up Educational, cultural, social and simple, practical reasons to convince either yourself or, if need be, others too. Part 3 How to set one up Includes the planning stage (eg. what kind of bookshop, the site, how much time and money is involved, etc.) and putting plans into operation (eg. your book supplier, choosing stock, furniture, etc.). Part 4 Opening a school bookshop PR and publicity, inviting authors, opening ceremony. Part 5 Running a school bookshop (How to keep going) Publicity, creating the 'atmosphere', encouraging sales, special events, activities and competitions. At last our completely rewritten and updated handbook will be available in Part 6 Profiles of school bookshops February. If you're thinking of setting up your own bookshop in school, this Infant, Junior, Middle and Secondary school bookshops described handbook is essential. If you already run one, the new section on 'How to by teachers who already run their own school bookshop. Keep Going' is full of ideas and suggestions. It's laid out logically and Part 7 Useful sources of information sequentially to take you from start to finish in the most practical way possible. Sections include: Price £1.20.

Book Bank Badges From time to time we have on offer metal Savings Cards badges from publishers and others which For school bookshops, book clubs, book fairs aren't generally available elsewhere. At — indeed anywhere books are sold to present we have children — a savings card scheme can help Books for Keeps OK (55 mm diameter) offset the price of books. Most schools use Piccolo Guess What (55 mm diameter) the idea. We've printed this grid on the back I'm a Sparrow fan (45 mm diameter) of paperback covers with a space for children Price 1 Op each (minimum order 5 badges). to enter their names. There is room in the circle to record how much has been saved so that you know each child's credit at a glance. There is a good variety of different book covers, for individuality, and each card costs 5p. Minimum order 20 cards (i.e. £1 in all).

Bags The SBA's DIY Real Penguin paper bags to add a bit of School Bookshop authenticity to your bookshop. Price £1. Unit per 100. If you can't afford the price of commercially produced units and you have a competent Do-it-Yourselfer to hand (a willing dad, a helpful secondary school woodwork department, etc.), our detailed, professionally Poster Packs designed plans may be the answer. At These are proving to be extraordinarily present day prices you should be able to popular as an easy way to brighten up and build your own five-shelf, lockable (and if you create lively, colourful book atmospheres in want, mobile) school bookshop unit for book corners, libraries and school bookshops. between £30 and £35 (assuming no labour We have two packs, one for primary, the charges). That's about a third of the cost of a other for secondary schools, made up of ready-made unit. Our plans include full about a dozen publishers' posters. We assembly instructions and materials list. change the contents of each pack roughly Advisory Service Price £1.00. every four to five months as we obtain new We try to answer any question put to us material from the publishers. If you have a about children's books. Apart from school special request (eg. a girls' school, a nursery bookshops themselves which we know quite class, a middle school, a special event), let us a bit about, we like to think we're a good Authorgraphs know and we'll try to oblige. It all depends place to start with if you have a problem or a This is the centre-fold author profile from on what we have available. We charge 90p query. If we can't answer your enquiry Books for Keeps which can be used as an each which covers postage, folding and straight off the top of our heads, we'll put you author display piece. packing. You could of course write to a dozen in touch with someone who can. Authorgraph No. 2 Penelope Lively or so publishers and get your publicity free but when you add up the cost of stamps and Authorgraph No. 3 Malcolm Saville If you want any of these items, please use bear in mind that you may or may not get Authorgraph No. 5 Pat Hutchins the order form on page 24 or write to the suitable posters, it's probably easier, quicker Price 40p each. SBA at Lee. All cheques and postal orders and cheaper to write for our packs. .payable to the School Bookshop Association.