Forgotten Vintage Children's Lit We Want Republished! discussion

Subject to update... A Listopia List exists for all member's books mentioned in this thread from 8 Mar 2023 - 25 Feb 2024. Please add your votes there, or commented below, or both, as you prefer. ;) https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Capn's Top 10 (or so) in Need of Reprinting

Update #3: 09/12/2023:
1. The Hounds of the Mórrígan by Pat O'Shea
2. The Cloud Forest by Joan North
3. Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree / The Magic Within by Melody Collins Thomason
4. The Oak King and the Ash Queen by Ann Phillips
5. Billy Buck / The Visitor: A Story of Suspense by Josephine Poole
6. The Black Gull of Corrie Lochan by Margaret MacAlpine
7. The House at Spaniard's Bay by Meta Mayne Reid* (*ALL of her stuff!)
8. The Witch-Child by Imogen Chichester
9. The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy by Penelope Lively
10. A Visit to Folly Castle by Nina Beachcroft
11. Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss
12. Adam's Common by David Wiseman
13. Well Met By Witchlight by Nina Beachcroft
14. The Conjuror's Box by Ann Lawrence
15. Mystery at Long Barrow House by Nancy Faulkner


A note on Meta Mayne Reid in particular - as the cultural value of Ireland's "Tinkers" and community of travelling people is highly topical and to be included in school curricula, NOW is the time to reprint her entire bibliography! Tinkers occur in a great many of her novels, and always in a positive (sometimes mystical) light.

Anyone else got a wish list they wish publishers could see? (Can be as long or as short as you'd like). :)

(Original list) Capn's Top 10 (or so) in Need of Reprinting
1. The Witch-Child by Imogen Chichester
2. The House at Spaniard's Bay by Meta Mayne Reid* (*ALL of her stuff!)
3. The Oak King and the Ash Queen by Ann Phillips
4. A Visit to Folly Castle by Nina Beachcroft
5. The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy by Penelope Lively
6. Adam's Common by David Wiseman
7. Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss
8. Mystery at Long Barrow House by Nancy Faulkner
9. The Conjuror's Box by Ann Lawrence
10. Well Met By Witchlight by Nina Beachcroft

Update #1: 11/04/23
1. The Cloud Forest by Joan North
2. The Witch-Child by Imogen Chichester
3. The Black Gull of Corrie Lochan by Margaret MacAlpine
4. The House at Spaniard's Bay by Meta Mayne Reid* (*ALL of her stuff!)
5. The Oak King and the Ash Queen by Ann Phillips
6. A Visit to Folly Castle by Nina Beachcroft
7. The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy by Penelope Lively
8. Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss
9. Adam's Common by David Wiseman
10. Well Met By Witchlight by Nina Beachcroft
11. The Conjuror's Box by Ann Lawrence
12. Mystery at Long Barrow House by Nancy Faulkner

Update #2: 18/04/2023:
1. The Cloud Forest by Joan North
2. Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree / The Magic Within by Melody Collins Thomason
3. The Oak King and the Ash Queen by Ann Phillips
4. The Witch-Child by Imogen Chichester
5. Billy Buck / The Visitor: A Story of Suspense by Josephine Poole
6. The Black Gull of Corrie Lochan by Margaret MacAlpine
7. The House at Spaniard's Bay by Meta Mayne Reid* (*ALL of her stuff!)
8. The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy by Penelope Lively
9. A Visit to Folly Castle by Nina Beachcroft
10. Adam's Common by David Wiseman
11. Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss
12. Well Met By Witchlight by Nina Beachcroft
13. The Conjuror's Box by Ann Lawrence
14. Mystery at Long Barrow House by Nancy Faulkner

Update #3: 09/12/2023:
1. The Hounds of the Mórrígan by Pat O'Shea
2. The Cloud Forest by Joan North
3. Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree / The Magic Within by Melody Collins Thomason
4. The Oak King and the Ash Queen by Ann Phillips
5. Billy Buck / The Visitor: A Story of Suspense by Josephine Poole
6. The Black Gull of Corrie Lochan by Margaret MacAlpine
7. The House at Spaniard's Bay by Meta Mayne Reid* (*ALL of her stuff!)
8. The Witch-Child by Imogen Chichester
9. The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy by Penelope Lively
10. A Visit to Folly Castle by Nina Beachcroft
11. Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss
12. Adam's Common by David Wiseman
13. Well Met By Witchlight by Nina Beachcroft
14. The Conjuror's Box by Ann Lawrence
15. Mystery at Long Barrow House by Nancy Faulkner

Of these, some of my favourites, these are the ones that I think would hold up best to reprinting today and are listed in order of suspected profitability/widest-appeal. :)

Three that spring to mind:

Pat O'Shea, The Hounds of the Morrigan
Mary Wesley, Haphazard House
Nicholas Stuart Gray, The Seventh Swan (or, indeed, anything)

Oh right, Nicholas Stuart Gray! I have a bunch of his stuff shelved (like Over The Hills To Fabylon) that it seems I'll never get to actually read.. because $500 is too much for a single used book! Ouch!) :( Good thinking! I see that The Apple-Stone and Mainly in Moonlight are on OpenLibrary at least (though I prefer hardcopy!)
The Hounds of the Mórrígan is also on OL, though I see some battered old Puffins are going for about $5, so I might pick one up. :) Haphazard House is also on OL - neato, didn't know about this one!!

I was thinking about this last night and there are so many to choose from. For the time being I've come up with these:

Alan Garner, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
Joy Chant, Red Moon and Black Mountain
Geoffrey Trease, The Hills of Varna
Jane Louise Curry, The Watchers
Joan Aiken, The Whispering Mountain
Leon Garfield, Smith
John Gordon, The Giant Under the Snow
Andre Norton, Dark Piper
Rosemary Sutcliff, Song for a Dark Queen
Robert Swindells, Brother in the Land

For Brother in the Land it has to be the original edition not the later one with the happier ending.

Len wrote: "I was thinking about this last night and there are so many to choose from. For the time being I've come up with these:

Alan Garner, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
[au..."

Seriously?! They REWROTE the ending?! :O

Capn wrote: "Len wrote: "I was thinking about this last night and there are so many to choose from. For the time being I've come up with these:

Alan Garner, [book:The Weirdstone of Brisingamen|1..."

Yes they did. I don't know who the "they" were. The original ending is very pessimistic, Yorkshire is devastated - which is bad enough - people are dying from radiation sickness and it is clear what is left of the government is looking after itself. Someone thought, when the book was reprinted, that a nuclear holocaust should have a cheery side and humanity will always prevail.

"They" were probably The Committee for Atomic Energy, then. XD

Oh dear.

Capn wrote: "Subject to update, and in no especial order....
I second Penelope Lively's Hagworthy title, to which I'd add her The Whispering Knights. Meanwhile I wonder if either Geoffrey Trease or, especially, his near namesake Henry Treece have had their juvenile titles reissued in recent years?

Chris wrote: "Capn wrote: "Subject to update, and in no especial order....
I second Penelope Lively's Hagworthy title, to which I'd add her The Whispering Knights. Meanwhile I wonder if either Geoffrey Trease or..."

Would love to see your top 10 (give or take), Chris! :D

Capn wrote: "Oh right, Nicholas Stuart Gray! I have a bunch of his stuff shelved (like Over The Hills To Fabylon) that it seems I'll never get to actually read.. because $500 is t..."

I think Grimbold's Other World is on Internet Archive. That would be my other choice for a reprint. Yeah, they're expensive. This is where interlibrary loan comes in handy.

Sem wrote: "Capn wrote: "Oh right, Nicholas Stuart Gray! I have a bunch of his stuff shelved (like Over The Hills To Fabylon) that it seems I'll never get to actually read.. beca..."

That's good to hear, re: IA, because every attempt I've made at an ILL in Switzerland has resulted in polite but firm emails telling me it's a no-go. :S (These were for books I later, out of frustration, purchased in the $20-60 range. Not cheap, but yeesh - supervised reading room in Bern only?! For Mabel Esther Allan, and not even rare ones?!).
In the end, no joke, it cost me less than the cheapest train ticket....

Somehow, I thought you'd say that. XD Even here it's not what it used to be. Fortunately, BC's public library system has extensive holdings although there are still odd...gaps...in what I can order. I want a play that's on the shelves in Vancouver but it's not listed in the Illume catalogue as available through ILL (because it's a pamphlet?). I remember the days when a book couldn't be sent but they made photocopies for me.

Len wrote: "I was thinking about this last night and there are so many to choose from. For the time being I've come up with these:

Alan Garner, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
[au..."

Some of these are still in print - certainly Smith and The Whispering Mountain

I think my favourite children’s books currently out of print are:
Sophia Scrooby Preserved by Martha Bacon
Fresh Fields for Daisy by Margaret J. baker
As Far as Singapore by Pamela Brown
Five Dolls in a House by Helen Clare
The Load of Unicorn by Cynthia Harnett
Me and My Million by Clive King
Between the Forest and the Hill by Ann Lawrence
Revenge of Samuel Stokes by Penelope Lively
Fiddler’s Quest by Patricia Lynch
Call of the Bush by Mary Elwyn Patchett
The Prices Return by Virginia Pye
Wintle’s Wonders by Noel Streatfield
A Winter Princess by Mary Treadgold
Seven League Ballet Shoes by Lorna Wood

Also many books by Mabel Esther Allan, some of which came back in print for a while but currently seem to be out.

Chris wrote: "Capn wrote: "Subject to update, and in no especial order....
I second Penelope Lively's Hagworthy title, to which I'd add her The Whispering Knights. Meanwhile I wonder if either Geoffrey Trease or..."

Cue for treason, which I think is Geoffrey Trease’s best book, is currently in print and available as paperback, on kindle and as an audiobook. Several others seem to be available.

Just thought of another. Carol Kendall, The Firelings. It seems obvious to me that any child who read The Gammage Cup (one of the best children's books ever and very much in print) would want to read everything else by Kendall even if it wasn't as good. It merits a Kindle edition at the very least, surely.

(adding those to my to-read shelf now...!)

Capn wrote: "(adding those to my to-read shelf now...!)"
Kendall managed to be Tolkien-inspired and unique which is no mean feat. You'll want to add The Whisper of Glocken as well. It's in print. OL has the editions with the original covers and illustrations.

Sem wrote: "Capn wrote: "(adding those to my to-read shelf now...!)"
Kendall managed to be Tolkien-inspired and unique which is no mean feat. You'll want to add The Whisper of Glocken as well. It's in print. O..."

Thanks! Will do! :D

Melody Collins Thomason. The Magic Within (aka Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree).

Sem wrote: "Melody Collins Thomason. The Magic Within (aka Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree)."

Awwww. I just bought that one - I probably could have gotten it cheaper with the alt title! XD Drat!

Capn wrote: "Sem wrote: "Melody Collins Thomason. The Magic Within (aka Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree)."

Awwww. I just bought that one - I probably could have gotten it cheaper with the alt title! XD ..."

I hope it wasn't too expensive and that you enjoy it.

Sem wrote: "Capn wrote: "Sem wrote: "Melody Collins Thomason. The Magic Within (aka Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree)."

Awwww. I just bought that one - I probably could have gotten it cheaper with the a..."

Nah, it wouldn't have been too costly. I tend to prioritize my reading by what's cheapest... :) ('Free' books sadly don't win out, because, again, I can't bring electronics with me into the bath, and being locked in the bathroom is pretty much my only opportunity for any reading these days). :S
Looking forward to it - it was on my to-read shelf for quite a long while!

My electronics come with me into the tub. XD

Sem wrote: "My electronics come with me into the tub. XD"

You're probably a lot less clumsy than I am. XD

Capn wrote: "Sem wrote: "My electronics come with me into the tub. XD"

You're probably a lot less clumsy than I am. XD"

I dropped a book in the bath when I was a teenager. Face down. Since then I've been very very careful.

Louise wrote: "Len wrote: "I was thinking about this last night and there are so many to choose from. For the time being I've come up with these:

Alan Garner, [book:The Weirdstone of Brisingamen|1..."

Garner is still in print - I bought a boxed set:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Capn wrote: "Sem wrote: "My electronics come with me into the tub. XD"

You're probably a lot less clumsy than I am. XD"

I have dropped many books in the bath over the years, so I don’t risk anything electronic in there. Books can always be dried.

Chris wrote: "Capn wrote: "Subject to update, and in no especial order....
I second Penelope Lively's Hagworthy title, to which I'd add her The Whispering Knights. Meanwhile I wonder if either Geoffrey Trease or..."

I just saw the OUP has recently reprinted The Whispering Knights: https://elt.oup.com/catalogue/items/g...

I've updated my Top 10 list. It's going to eventually climb to over 20 titles, I'm sure XD

Summarized from above, with trackables:

Sem's choices:
Pat O'Shea, The Hounds of the Mórrígan
Mary Wesley, Haphazard House
Nicholas Stuart Gray, The Seventh Swan and Grimbold's Other World (or, indeed, anything)
Carol Kendall, The Firelings (author of The Gammage Cup & The Whisper of Glocken, which are in print)
Melody Collins Thomason Miss Quarterberry and the Juniper Tree / The Magic Within*

Chris's choices:
The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy** and
The Whispering Knights both by Penelope Lively NB: The Whispering Knights IS back in print! :)

Louise's choices:
Sophia Scrooby Preserved by Martha Bacon
Fresh Fields for Daisy by Margaret J. baker
As Far As Singapore by Pamela Brown
Five Dolls in a House by Helen Clare
Two-Thumb Thomas by Barbara C. Freeman
The Load of Unicorn by Cynthia Harnett
Me and My Million by Clive King
Family on the Tide by Frank Knight
Between the Forest and the Hills by Ann Lawrence
A Pony in the Luggage by Gunnel Linde
The Revenge of Samuel Stokes by Penelope Lively
Fiddler's Quest by Patricia Lynch
Call of the Bush by Mary Elwyn Patchett
The Prices Return by Virginia Pye
Wintle's Wonders by Noel Streatfield
A Winter Princess by Mary Treadgold
Seven League Ballet Shoes by Lorna Wood
(plus several titles by Mabel Esther Allan - Louise is the Moderator and Founder of the Mabel Esther Allan Goodreads Group)

*on two lists (mine and Sem's)
** on two lists (mine and Chris's)

Capn wrote: "Summarized from above, with trackables:

Sem's choices:
Pat O'Shea, The Hounds of the Mórrígan
Mary Wesley, Haphazard House
Nicholas Stuart Gray, [book:The Seventh Swan|1..."

While I was searching newspapers I came across a list of recommended reading for children who like Harry Potter made by the VPL and printed in the Vancouver Sun (7 July 2000). I kept dozens of recommended reading lists from various libraries and should check through for other books that have faded into obscurity.

Oh what a good idea! I never come across such lists* - very helpful!

*except automated GR recommendations, which are sometimes hilariously off the mark

Capn wrote: "Oh what a good idea! I never come across such lists* - very helpful!

*except automated GR recommendations, which are sometimes hilariously off the mark"

Public libraries used to have lists of recommended reading in various genres. Probably still do. I can't resist a list.

Capn wrote: "Oh what a good idea! I never come across such lists* - very helpful!

*except automated GR recommendations, which are sometimes hilariously off the mark"
When I added a book the other day I glanced at the 'readers also enjoyed' or whatever they call it and thought 'that's an odd selection of books and they have nothing to do with the book I've just finished.' Then the penny dropped. They were books I'd read in recent months. Any poor sod who reads that book is going to have random books from my shelves slung at them.

Weirdly enough, I actually figured that out because they were YOUR books, too! XD I saw the bilge water one come up and thought, "Ah, because Sem read that..."

What a stupid algorithm, assuming people read only one genre!!! :p

Capn wrote: "Weirdly enough, I actually figured that out because they were YOUR books, too! XD I saw the bilge water one come up and thought, "Ah, because Sem read that..."

What a stupid algorithm, assuming pe..."

It seems to work better on Amazon. But at least now I know why their recommendations are weird. They'd be less weird if the algorithm allowed for genre as well as what readers have shelved. On the other hand, who knows how many people will read the bilge water book because of me.

Capn wrote: "Summarized from above, with trackables:

Sem's choices:
Pat O'Shea, The Hounds of the Mórrígan
Mary Wesley, Haphazard House
Nicholas Stuart Gray, [book:The Seventh Swan|1..."

Some fantastic books and authors!

I have no idea why I didn't just do this in the first place:

Listopia: Forgotten Vintage Children's Lit. We Want Republished!
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Please add your votes to it! (If you've already commented on this list, I've added your books in already. Feel free to vote for others you feel should be here). I added the titles that are currently still in print/available to buy new in the comments section, rather than take up room in the list.

For those new to Listopia, you can vote on ANY list, anywhere, any time, but you only get 100 votes per list (100 books voted for). When you run out, you can ask pals of yours to vote in some missing books on your behalf, but of course you ought to reciprocate as well... I spend way too much time on Listopia. ;) Let me know if you'd like me to proxy vote for you - happy to oblige, provided I'm not already at 100 votes. ;)

Thanks, will take a look.

I had not heard of Meta Mayne Reid so went hunting for the Carrigmore Castle series - only managed to find books 3 and 4 but was definitely entertained. Thank you for the suggestion!

https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...

Constance

CLM wrote: "I had not heard of Meta Mayne Reid so went hunting for the Carrigmore Castle series - only managed to find books 3 and 4 but was definitely entertained. Thank you for the suggestion!

https://perfe..."

Oh I'm glad you liked them! :D They don't seem comparatively too hard to find* - hopefully others pop up soon! (*although obviously my views on this are skewed by buying almost exclusively rare and OOP vintage books..!)

I also didn't know it was serialized for the radio - thanks for that! :) Great post, as always. ;)

Edit: I've got 3 more of hers queued, and am looking forward to reviewing Phelim and the Creatures, The Glen Beyond the Door and Sandy and the Hollow Book soon :)