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The Last Battle (1956)

The Last Battle was written by CS Lewis and illustrated by Pauline Baynes. In fact, Pauline Baynes’ illustrations are so iconic CS Lewis wrote to her: “is it not rather ‘our’ medal? I’m sure the illustrations were taken into account as well as the text.” The Last Battle is, in every sense of the word,Continue reading “The Last Battle (1956)”

The Little Bookroom (1955)

The Little Bookroom by Eleanor Farjeon, published by Oxford University Press in 1955, with illustrations by Edward Ardizzone. I am continually humbled by the amount of stuff I don’t know about children’s literature. Eleanor Farjeon is a name I recognise from the shelves at the children’s library, or possibly an anthology of children’s verse, butContinue reading “The Little Bookroom (1955)”

Knight Crusader (1954)

Knight Crusader was written by Ronald Welch in 1954. My edition was published in 1970. It is not illustrated by William Dobbs, which is a shame as apparently, his drawings are incredible. Knight Crusader is the first book in a series about the military exploits of the fictional Carey family published between 1954 and 1972.Continue reading “Knight Crusader (1954)”

A Valley Grows Up (1953)

Written by Edward Osmond, published by Oxford University Press. This is currently out of print and is £28 on abebooks.co.uk. Thus it exceeds my challenge threshold but if I manage to get hold of a copy, I’ll post about it.

The Borrowers (1952)

The Borrowers by Mary Norton, with illustrations by Diana Stanley. The Borrowers is the first is a series of 5 books (and one prequel short story) written by Mary Norton between 1952 and 1982. It was named one of the top ten Medal-winning works, the “Carnegies of Carnegies”. It has been made into a tvContinue reading “The Borrowers (1952)”

The Wool-Pack (1951)

The Wool-Pack (1951), written and illustrated by Cynthia Harnett. Not in print (last reprint 2001). In the period after the Second World War, historical novelist enjoyed high critical esteem. Authors were keen to establish a sense of identity and personal and cultural inheritance, particularly in the aftermath of the Second World War. This popularity isContinue reading “The Wool-Pack (1951)”

The Lark on the Wing (1950)

The Lark on the Wing is written by Elfrida Vipoint and is the second book in a five-book series about the Haverard family. The first two, The Lark in the Morn and The Lark on the Wing, are explicitly about Kit Haverard and her journey from school to becoming a professional singer. The frontispiece ofContinue reading “The Lark on the Wing (1950)”

The Carnegie Winners – 1940s

Books for children came of age in the 1930s. Many children’s books we now consider classics were published then and the inauguration of the Carnegie medal in 1936 reflected a growing awareness of standards in children’s books amongst teachers, librarians and parents. Then, in the 1940s, the first and most obvious effect of the war,Continue reading “The Carnegie Winners – 1940s”

The Story of Your Home (1949)

The Story of Your Home by Agnes Allen was the 1949 Carnegie Medal winner. It appears to have been popular in its day – the edition I have is a 6th reprint (new edition) and was published in 1970. It is no longer in print. My edition also states that the book was first publishedContinue reading “The Story of Your Home (1949)”

Sea Change (1948)

Sea Change by Richard Armstrong was the 1948 Carnegie medal winner. It has been reprinted several times, the last time in the 1970s I think, but it is not currently in print. Cam Renton has been an apprentice seaman for a year when he arrives to join the crew of the Langdale, a cargo ship heading forContinue reading “Sea Change (1948)”