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The Sparkly Waistcoat by Sue Wickstead

Oct9

Very Beautiful

The Sparkly Waistcoat by Sue Wickstead is a most delightful book for preschool children and those in early years.

The action is in the lead up to Christmas but would be a charming book to read any day of the year.

We witness the bonds between a grandmother and her grandson, as well as the bonds formed between her as a teacher and her class.

The sparkly waistcoat is pivotal to the tale. It is worn in December and can be worn by any child in any role in the Christmas play. This gives us all the message that everyone is equal even though they play different parts.

The waistcoat is lost. We see how everyone searches for it. It reminded me of the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep. There is much rejoicing when it is found.

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Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Oct1

Rolling Back The Years

Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is the tenth book in the Malory Towers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character development and timeline progression. Originally penned by Enid Blyton, Pamela Cox continues the stories in the same style. The swap-over is seamlessly achieved.

In this book Felicity Rivers and her friends are in the fifth form (year 11). They have to set an example to the younger girls but June still has a sense of fun.

We drop in on the girls as they are preparing for a tennis tournament and also a music competition. Everyone is working hard. We see the importance of praise. “It wouldn’t be so bad if we got a word of praise now and again… Millicent should take a leaf out of June’s book… she encourages them [the girls playing tennis] with plenty of praise.” People work better when shown the carrot rather than the stick.

It is not all about winning. “I shall do my very best to make sure that we win”… “but even if you don’t, I hope that everyone who takes part will learn something of value from the experience.” It is good to be a part of a team and not a lone wolf.

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Five Go To Mystery Moor by Enid Blyton

Oct1

Foiled Again!

Five Go To Mystery Moor by Enid Blyton is the thirteenth book in the Famous Five series.

Though the books were penned in the 1940’s and 1950’s they still appeal to children today.

Once more, a little holiday turns into an adventure as the children stumble into crimes happening on the moor.

Timmy the dog is the hero of the day, again. His love for owner George means there is nothing he won’t do for her. The baddies are foiled again.

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Winter Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Sep18

Kindness & Friendship

Winter Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is another marvellous book for girls aged eight years and over. It is the ninth book in the Malory Towers series. Whilst it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the books in numerical order for continuity of that tales. Each book begins where the previous one left off.

The Malory Towers series was first penned in the 1940’s by Enid Blyton. Pamela Cox has made the seamless transition as she writes in the same style as the originals.

We rejoin Felicity Rivers as she enters the autumn term in the fourth year (year 10). The girls are tasked with producing a play for Christmas.

Two new girls start the year. They are very different personalities. We witness tension, clashes and misunderstandings.

I absolutely love the Malory Towers series, possibly even more than I did when I first discovered then fifty years ago. The original six books were a constant companion in my early teens.

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