Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A pleasant trip.


Clearing out some children's books yesterday and these turned up. I know I'm supposed to read all sorts of grown up stuff, and I do, but these will always remain my favourites. The tattered one on the right is a copy of the first book I ever borrowed from a public library when I was about 12. Until that day I didn't know public libraries existed. I loved Millicent Margaret Amanda from the moment I stepped into her pages. Decluttering my bookshelves was forgotten while I reacquainted myself with her and she has lost none of her charm. The "nice white cottage with the thatched roof" Muvver, Farver, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie & Uncle, Billy Blunt, Little-friend-Susan, Jilly etc. enchanted me all over again. I realised how clever Joyce Lankester Brisley was. Each one of her stories has a gentle lesson on good manners, thoughtfulness, generosity, respect. All quite old-fashioned (the first book was published in 1929) but still relevant today I believe.
I rescued the battered book, printed in 1950, years back from someone who was going to chuck it out and the others I have picked up in op-shops over the years. Needless to say they won't be joining those that I plan to take to our local op-shop tomorrow. In fact I think I'll go and make a cup of coffee and pop in to visit at The Nice White Cottage With The Thatched Roof again.
Bye for now until next time.

5 comments:

  1. What a nice surprise, to find treasured memories while clearing out clutter!

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  2. I love MMM too! I had one treasured book from my childhood, and have bought more to read to my daughters. My fave story is MMM spends a penny! The Miss Muggins of my blog title is from the owner of the draper's store as well.

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  3. Laurel its hard to pick a favourite but I really like the MMM Makes a Cosy.

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