I can’t quite remember when I began to read children’s books for myself. I suspect the first were Enid Blyton’s novels. I do remember reading her St Clares and Malory Towers books, also the Famous Five, Secret Seven, and Five Find-Outers And Dog. The first Chalet School book I read was “Carola Storms The Chalet School” and it has been my favourite ever since. I had been given 2/6 for my birthday; the 7th I think. I went to the grocery shop that was in the street near my house, and I bought the book. I remember that they sold various children’s novels, mainly published by Armada. I bought most, if not all, of the Armada CS books and have two or three in hardback. But with Girls Gone By Press reprinting them, I am trying to build up the collection, including fill-ins.
As well as Elinor Brent Dyer, I love the works of Elsie J Oxenham, Mabel Esther Allan, Dorothea Moore, Dorita Fairlie Bruce, Antonia Forest, Evelyn Smith, and Josephine Elder. But as I’m a reader rather than a collector, I will read just about everything. My preference is for school stories. I don’t read pony books and just a few ballet books, mainly Mabel Esther Allan as Jean Estoril. I am not keen on “colonial” books, or adventures.
Just the facts: 60+, wife and mother, with a grown up daughter (who prefers to read books about birds) and two cats. We live in rural Wales.