Do you remember these …?

Do you remember The silver brumby? The popularity of children’s science fiction with authors like Andre Norton and Robert Heinlein? Or what about Rosemary Sutcliff’s fabulous Eagle of the Ninth set in Roman Britain? Do you remember the fuss about the relationship between Noddy and Big Ears?

If you do then you are probably, like me, one of the baby boomers who enjoyed the golden age of children’s publishing during the 60’s and 70’s.

During Heritage Week the Centre for the Child in the Central Library decided to have a display of books from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s from our Store collection. We wanted to encourage people to walk down Memory Lane and indulge in re-reading their own personal favourites.

This display has been so successful that we have extended to time period beyond Heritage Week and have these treasures on display for a few more weeks.

Cookie, the new children’s title by Jacqueline Wilson

Cookie

I have been fortunate enough to get a review copy of Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson.  For those of you who are unaware of Jacqueline Wilson she is an extremely popular children’s author especially with girls.  Her books are generally about dysfunctional families or children unhappy with some aspect of their lives.  They are told with humour and I feel a great insight into how children view the world and how they feel.  Jacqueline has won many awards over the years and was awarded an O.B.E in 2002 and was the Children’s Laureate for 2005-2007.

The main character in cookie is Beauty Cookson.  She goes to a posh girls school and hates it.  The girls are stuck up and tease her as Beauty is rather plain and very timid.  Her mum is her dad’s third wife and very young.  Dad is a bully which probably why he has been married three times.  He terrifies his wife Dilly and little Beauty.  He has very strict house rules and is constantly criticising Beauty for her lack of looks.  Mum and daughter live in fear of him.  After an awful birthday party with the girls in her class that have bullied her all year Dad does something unforgivable.  Dilly and Beauty run away .

In starting their new life together Dilly and Beauty grow strong as a team and within themselves.  Mum’s new hobby gives them an income and Beauty finds happiness and a new nickname.  A lovely warm hearted story of a girl finding her confidence and strength.

My recommendation as a Chrissie Prezzie (it’s not that far away) for a girl in year five at Primary school up to about year seven.