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)”
Tag Archives: Carnegie medal
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”
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)”
Collected Stories for Children (1947)
Collected Stories for Children was written by Walter de la Mare and published in 1947. My edition is a cheap Puffin collection reprinted in 1987 which contains illustrations by Robin Jacques. It was the first collection of stories to win the Carnegie award. The award was surprising since it was the first time that previously publishedContinue reading “Collected Stories for Children (1947)”
The Little White Horse (1946)
There was no award in 1945. The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge was one of the Carnegie Medal Winners I had read before embarking on this chronological project. It was given to my daughter by her Godparent as it was her favourite book as a child, and apparently, it was J K Rowling’s too.Continue reading “The Little White Horse (1946)”
The Wind on the Moon (1944)
The Wind on the Moon, written by Eric Linklater, originally published by Macmillan. It was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1944. There was no award in 1943. As is apparent from the picture above, I read The Wind on the Moon in the Danish translation. This was published as part of a series of internationalContinue reading “The Wind on the Moon (1944)”
The Little Grey Men (1942)
The Little Grey Men, the first fantasy title to appear as a Carnegie Medal winner, was written by Denys Watkins-Pitchford under the pseudonym “BB” and illustrated by him under his real name. It was first published by Eyre & Spottiswoode in 1942 and has been reissued several times since – the latest is in anContinue reading “The Little Grey Men (1942)”
We couldn’t leave Dinah (1941)
I am indebted to an essay by Cheri Lloyd in ‘Out of the Attic – Some neglected Children’s Authors of the Twentieth Century’which helped me contextualise both the story and my thoughts about it. We Couldn’t Leave Dinah is interesting because it is a book about WWII,written at the outset of the war while MaryContinue reading “We couldn’t leave Dinah (1941)”
Visitors from London (1940)
Visitors from London by Kitty Barne is out of print and copies currently sell for £50 and more on abebooks.co.uk. As I have a self-imposed limit of maximum £15 per book, I’ve not read this yet. According to Keith Barker in Outstanding Books for Children and Young People – the LA Guide to Carnegie/Greenaway WinnersContinue reading “Visitors from London (1940)”
Mette Reads Carnegie 