The Chimney Corner Collection by Enid Blyton
Egmont, 2011.
ISBN 9781405260152.
If you are looking for a stocking filler of engaging, magical stories
then this
new collection of Enid Blyton classics is the perfect choice. There is
a reason
that Blyton has remained a favourite throughout generations - this was
originally published in 1947 - and this is the ideal opportunity to
introduce
this generation of emerging readers to her fantasy world. There are 60
stories
in the collection ranging from The Magic Walking Stick to Old
Ugly the
Water
Grub, each full of Blyton's inimitable characters and the perfect
length to
read-aloud or read-alone. Even the title of the collection suggest
curling up
somewhere snug and just reading, particularly during those January days
when the
novelty of the Christmas toys has worn off or the batteries are flat.
Despite their age and the traditional black-and-white drawings, these
stories
remain popular. When I was in the library, I had a special shelf for
Enid
Blyton and despite having a sizeable collection built from scouring
second-hand
shops and book fairs, there were seldom any available for borrowing.
The
circulation stats were amazing. With 2012 being the National Year of
Reading,
perhaps it is timely to connect parent and child through story and
celebrate
these tales so familiar to many. This collection would be an ideal
starting
point.
Barbara Braxton