Elisabeth Beresford

Elisabeth Beresford, author famous for her Womble stories, but actually the writer of many more mystery and adventure books for children - many of which were based on Alderney (see our site at www.peakirkbooks.com) died on Christmas Eve 2010. She was awarded an MBE for her services to Childrens' Literature in the 1998 New Years Honour's List.

Snow, snow, ice & snow

Here in Stibbard we have been shivering for the last 2 weeks - and been deep in snow. It still lies on the ground, although the level has gone down a little. The dogs needless to say love it - although the novelty is wearing off. This is the second time this year we have had significant snow (Last January saw lots 0f snow) so we are beginning to think we have moved to a snowy part of the country! It is of course very pretty - the countryside here looks beautiful - and walking locally, although slippery, is lovely as long as you wrap up well. My wellie boots have never seen so much use. I have taken some photographs to illustrate. Just one thing - we have storage heaters in this house - not the most efficient heating - I look forward to having radiators in the future. Meanwhile - lots of lovely log fires blaze to keep us warm.

Telephones

I don't know if its caused by the snow - but our telephone line is down. Stibbard still has snow - more of that to come - but the telephone being out of order - now day 2 - is affecting our business! People can't even leave answerphone messages. It just rings once (as heard by the caller) then stops. Obviously we hear nothing this end. If anyone needs to contact us, our internet connection is currently working, so please send us an e-mail - peakirkbooks@btinternet.com.

Sybil Burr

As usual I have been buying in books - I never stop, I just can't resist them - much to Jeff's dismay! In the latest batch I acquired some Sybil Burr books - an author who is usually much sought after but whose books rarely surface. I suspect the print runs of her books cannot have been very long. I remember her name as an author from when I was young, but can't remember why as I don't remeber reading any of her books.

Sybil Burr wrote several girls' books in the 1950s. She is perhaps best known for her book Life with Lisa, the fictional diary of a 12-year-old girl who lived in Ramsgate - (as did Sybil herself for a time), and whose story concerning Lisa and her obsevations on her neighbours and surroundings, was later reprinted by Puffin Books (1979) and then adapted for Radio 4 in 2003 with Victoria O'Donnell playing Lisa. Sybil wrote a sequel, Leave It To Lisa.
Sybil wrote several full length stories, and some short ones for annuals but I think my bibliography of her books is probably incomplete. If anyone can help me out with extra bibliographic details, I would be grateful & interested to receive them.

Bibliographical details - that we know of.
1. Full length books.
Lantern of the North, illus. Sheila Rose. London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1954.
My Candle the Moon, illus. Sheila Rose. London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1955.
The Saint Bride Blue, illus. Leslie Atkinson. London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1956;
Full Fathom Forty, illus. Leslie Atkinson. London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1957.
Life With Lisa. London, John Murray, 1958.
Leave It To Lisa. London, John Murray, 1960.Operation Blindbell. London, J. M. Dent & Sons, 1960.

2. Short Stories - there are probably many others.
'Lisa Loses Her Hat', Daily Mail Annual for Girls 1953, 1952.
Story in Daily Mail annual for Boys & Girls, published 1954
Collins Girls' Annual, Girls' Own Book, etc in the 1950s (various)
Swift Annual 1 (1954)

Harrogate Childrens Book Fair

The Childrens (& Crime) book fair in Harrogate last weekend was great as ever. Someone commented to me that this was an unusual mix of subjects - but nor really as it happens. There are several authors who wrote in both genre - Gladys Mitchell being a prime example, and many more. I don't know why the two tend to sit side by side - although these are the 2 book fields that interest me both. I know that when I was growing up I went straight from Enid Blyton to Agatha Christie - although this was partly because these were the two authors most prevalent in our local branch library! The love of both of these genres has stayed with me until the present day.
It was good to speak to a multitude of customers at the fair, seeing many regulars, but also introducing ourselves to some customers who we had only sold to over the internet, hopefully the won't have been frightened off meeting us in the flesh, and meeting some potentially new customers. There seemed fewer exhibitors than last time, but I know a couple pulled out at the last minute for personal reasons.
I always enjoy this specialist book fair - whether it be in Harrogate or Bath. I love seeing all the gorgeous books laid out - childrens books are often really well illustrated, and most attractive to look at. Even after all these years I still feel a rush of excitement as I see such lovely books displayed.
As we were going to view a collection of books on the Sunday, we stayed over in Harrogate on the Saturday night and it was lovely to have dinner with some customers turned friends in the evening. This is another great aspect of selling childrens books - you meet great people and several become friends.