Reading a post title on one of my forums that everyone has a Kindle now made me a bit sad. I don't have a Kindle and don't want one, it can never substitute real books to me. A technical device, however clever it is, will never be able to provide all the tactile pleasures of opening a new or an old book, replicate its smell, the crispness or softness of pages, the smoothness of paper.
And what about the so called pre-loved books, you open an old volume and find little scribbles and inscriptions that make you wonder who was the person that read this book years ago.
I have always enjoyed reading, since my early days. I love books, collect them, my life would be incomplete without them. They are my salvation and escape from at times almost unbearable reality.
I read recently in the Guardian an interesting feature on how the book has become a precious object once more. The article was about the cover designs. It mentioned the Booker acceptance speech Julian Barnes made recently where he paid an animated tribute to his book designer.
The Folio Society is a world known company which has been publishing exquisite editions of the classic texts since 1947. I joined the Folio Society about ten years ago, when we lived in the States, and every year I choose a few volumes to add to our collection.
To start the new year with the bang (even of mini-proportions, lol), I would like to offer you a beautiful Folio Society edition of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It is a gorgeous book with the most fascinating illustrations.
Bound in full cloth, blocked in black and gold with a design by Charles van Sandwyk and with a printed paper label inset.
264 Pages, 85 illustrations, 35 in colour, by Charles van Sandwyk
Printed endpapers and slipcase. Set in Founders Caslon.
To be entered in the draw please follow two simple steps:
1. Answer the question by leaving a comment below this post
+
2. Leave a comment on any other post.
Only people who will do both steps will be entered in the draw. I love reading comments, so please indulge me, you can choose any older post to leave a comment.
You do not have to follow my blog to be entered in the draw. If you decide to follow my blog, I will be thrilled, of course.
Please leave me some means of getting in touch with you if you win: your Twitter name, or forum name (if you come from any of the comping forums), if you use a Blogger, make sure there is an email address in your profile.
And the question is:
What is (are) your favourite book(s) for children?
This is a not a sponsored giveaway, I have bought the book and would prefer it to go to someone who loves books and who would appreciate a new addition to their home library.
This giveaway is open to the UK residents only, sorry, as the book is quite heavy.
Good luck! The winner will be chosen on 1 February.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many thanks for all your wonderful entries, I enjoyed reading them all. I wish I had a prize for each and everyone, alas, it is only one copy.
The raffleking made a choice for me from a long list of entries.
And the winner is..... drumroll please - Sharon! Congratulations, Sharon! I will get in touch with you as to where to post your prize and hope you will enjoy it!
I found 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' and the other books magical stories. I am anandi2 on Twitter and my email is anna@gingerpaw.co.uk
ReplyDeleteMy favourite children's books are The Tiger Who came to Tea and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, both of which I can recite from memory, having read them so much over the years.
ReplyDeleteFollowing via GFC. Have commented on 'How to Eat Custard!' which made me smile.
I have a huge library of children's books, many of which are a little dog eared but I have just started a new library for my first grandchild, due any day now! Already in excess of 50 favourites.
Sorry forgot to add contact in previous comment. @01592_katie
ReplyDeleteCan you edit for me please? Thanks
As the daughter of a book binder I couldn't agree more about the pleasures of 'real' books Galina, and what a beautiful book this is! Thank you for the chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite children's book wasn't actually a book, though it now is! My parents started collecting for me editions of the most beautiful 'educational children's magazine' when I was a child. 'Once upon a time'. It was large format, with beautiful illustrations and stories and I used to treasure them, reading them time and time again. My dad bound them all up to make a hard cover book, which we still have to this day! :)
What an absolute treasure you are, Galina. Your kindness knows no bounds.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite books as a child were The Railway Children and The Secret Garden. I could immerse myself in the stories for hours on end. I remember my mum asking me why I read my books behind one of the chairs in the sitting room. It was because it was like my secret little place, away from all the distractions like the radio or tv. It's funny thinking back on it now. I used to put my ear plugs in and 'drift way', I enjoyed every minute :)
I really enjoy 'Aquila' by Andrew Noriss. Superb book that I read to children (or myself) regularly. I love 'The Jolly Postman' and 'The Jolly Christmas Postman' and especially 'Burglar bill' by the Ahlbergs - my grown-up children still go around saying things like 'That's a nice tin of beans - I 'ave that'.
ReplyDeleteEnid Blyton titles are also treasured. Sorry, but I simply can't choose just one : )
Lesley Bambridge lesley@bambridges.plus.com @bunnysideup PS. Real books are your friends and cannot be replaced by robots
my favourite as a child was Peter Pan - my brothers named me Wendy after seeing the film:) I also loved Enid Blyton and still have them all ready for my little ones to read. There favourite is anything by Julia Donaldson.
ReplyDeleteI love books and have read to my little ones since they were weeks old and I think this is one of the reason my little girl is so advanced in her reading - she is 6 and has just read Peter Pan:)
@kikicomp
It must be lovely to identify so closely with a book - hope your little one keeps up her love of reading.
DeleteWhen I was a child, I read all the Willard Price "Adventure" series over and over and over again. In recent years they sparked controversy, along with Enid Blyton, for being racist and classist though I can honestly say that, as a child, I never absorbed any old-fashioned bigotry from them just a huge sense of wonder and excitement. I think one day when I have children, I'll carry on reading them the fairytales that my parents read me that they in turn grew up with - the more dark folktales from central Europe which were always a mix of horror and delight.
ReplyDelete1) My favourite childrens books have got to be Enid Blyton books. I still read them now, I think my favourites are probably Secret Seven and Famous Five :) They just don't write childrens books like them anymore!
ReplyDelete2) Have also commented on Russian Doll Mania :)
@DaisyBeeFull
The Hobbit. A supply teacher read the first chapter to us at school and it was the first book that totally drew me in. It was the first book that once started, I couldn’t put down. I still re-read it every couple of years in fact.
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind Galina! As a child I was always reading and devoured Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven series, often reading late into the night with a torch under the bedclothes! I also liked fairytales and classics like Great Expectations, What Katy Did next, Little Women etc.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was born, I started reading to her every night and we shared a love of Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland and anything by Dr Seuss. I can still recount Dr Seuss' ABC - much to the family's amusement! Jessica is 18 now but won't part with her favourite childhood book "It's my Birthday and I'm going to bake a cake". She has also come to love books and we are both agreed that a Kindle holds no appeal for us as there's nothing like holding a good book in your hands and not being able to put it down.
Lynn Wild
My favourite book was The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier,It was the first book I'd ever read that left such a lasting impression. It is sad, funny, inspiring, gripping and, above all, a triumph of hope over adversity absolutely riveting I still love it now
ReplyDeletehave left a comment on your Happy New Year! post
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Will also comment on Twitter contact @chrismse1
ReplyDeleteSorry forgot to say have commented on `How to Eat Custard` seems he was having fun. @chrismse1
ReplyDeleteI used to love Roald Dahl and my eldest son finds them funny, plus we read the Mr Men Books
ReplyDeleteI have commented on How To Eat Custard
GFC - robertfox24
Twitter - @bloomingfox
Facebook - Kirsty Fox
Email - robertfox24 [AT] aol [DOT] com
What a fantastic Giveaway!! My favourite book as a child was my naughty little sister, I am the big sister you see :)
ReplyDelete@VictoriaJayne23
Commented on 'Russian Dolls Mania'.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite children's books are many. They include Aesop's Fables, Winnie the Witch, The Famous Five and Children on Cherry Tree Farm by Enid Blyton and Five Children and It by E. Nesbit.
@maisietoo
Have commented on How to Eat Custard. @UtterlyBumpty. My favourite children's book of all time has to be When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne. All to be read in a reproachful Nanny voice warning her charges of erring from her guidance! I love them all but adore The Kings Breakfast and Bad Sir Brian Botany And I can never meet a James without saying "James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George DuPree took great care of his mother, though he was only three."
ReplyDeleteAdding a comment by buchani that I have deleted by mistake, sorry, still half-asleep in the morning, but here is what she said (as retrieved from my email): Enid Blyton's books especially the faraway tree books where my favorites growing up I can't wait until my own daughter is old enough to enjoy them. Ive commented on How to eat custard - Thanks
ReplyDeleteI always loved Enid Blyton's tales of The Faraway Tree - beautiful stories that have stood the test of time.
ReplyDelete@emma1111111
As a teacher I am lucky to have access to lots of children books. But as a child I loved Flat Stanley - such a strange concept it just made my imagination run wild! @ltibby17 on twitter.
ReplyDeleteOliver Twist by Charles Dickens
ReplyDeletetwitter kezie666
I love the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett...and of course the wind in the willows;)
ReplyDeleteFrances Hodgson Burnett the secret garden @fionamaclean on twitter
ReplyDeleteThank you Galina....
ReplyDeleteAs luck would have it, 'The Wind in the Willows' was, and still is, my favourite childhood book. I can't remember how many times I read it, but 50 years on, I can still clearly recall the opening line: 'The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring- cleaning his little home....' Ah, happy times! I no longer have a copy of the book, and would dearly love one, to introduce Mole, Ratty and Toad to my grandchildren! @muskrat16
we love reading roald dahl. makes the kids giggle and keeps them intrested :)
ReplyDeleteI bought the Folio version of The Box of Delights and it's beautiful. They really are gorgeous. I think The Faraway Tree books are my favourite.
ReplyDeleteWe all love books (and even have famous publishers in our family tree the Macmillans). I love we are going on a bear hunt and the gruffelo. Following in gfc too @jessws2011 in twitter
ReplyDeleteOh where to start? Probably would go with Enid Blyton's St.Clare's series. @ericahughes
ReplyDeleteCommented on Mince pies: Heston vs The Authentic Bread Company
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful edition of the book! I love this book, especially now as I live close to the stretch of the Thames where the story is set, and as dragonflies are my favourite crafting theme this version would have special meaning for me. Much as I love it, it doesn't beat my all-time favourite children's book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I have a beautiful box set of The Chronicles of Narnia. It was given to me by my grandmother and I hope when she is old enough to give it to my own granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteI've commented on your beautiful "Don't call me a bloody nuisance" poem
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt Oscar Wilde's stories, especially The Happy Prince - my granddad used to read it to me as a child. Twitter account @JoreenSingh
ReplyDeleteanything poohbear related was the best in my opinion, closely followed by Enid Blytons Famous Five series. I commented on how to eat custard, after I had had a chuckle at it.
ReplyDeleteI guess you like herrings??
I love the Mr Men books for children, funny and silly, just what children love.
ReplyDeletedo believe you cant go wrong with Aesops Fables - I know its an oldy but the stories all have a relevant message to tell that applies to lifes learnings
ReplyDeleteI grew up with the Famous five and Secret Seven, just love them. I have three boys and tryign to get them to read is a nightmare, hubby dosent like reading so trying to get them to love reading like me. So I have purchased the Secret Seven for the younger two and Famous five for the older one. It is a slow progress but gettign there.
ReplyDeleteI have commented on another one of your blogs about the ingridients for relish. I hav ealos followed and tweeted on twitter potplant113
ReplyDeleteFor me its always got to be Beatrix Potter books, I bought the books with my pocket money as a young girl and now 30 years later have the set which has been read alot by my boys.
ReplyDeleteFor me its got to be Beatrix Potter and the Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies i bought this as a small girl now 35 years later have read the books sooo many times to my sons.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite book has to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It's a timeless classic. I also like we're going on a bear hunt.
ReplyDeleteI love The Very Hungry Caterpillar and we're going on a bear hunt.
ReplyDeleteI have commented on another of your blogs here:
ReplyDeletehttp://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2012/01/mahna-mahna-muppets-love-cravendale.html#comment-form
I love the enid blyton books like the enchanted wood and magic faraway tree. Its great reading them to the kids and seeing their little faces light up. When mine were very little i loved buying them all the ladybird favourites like the gingerbread man etc. Get them loving books young and they will (hopefully) read for life
ReplyDeletesimontink@aol.com
@simontink on twitter x x
I still have a copy of a book called "Lord of the Forest" by BB (Beaver Books). I have had since I was nine (now 44). Its the story of an Oak tree from the late 13th Century to the mid 20th. It follows the path of British events through time as experienced under its boughs. I adored it when I first read it and recently dipped into it again. Its a thin volume and simply written but the concept really gripped me as a child. It fired my imagination about time, about history and natural history too. I have loved sharing it with my nieces and nephews.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know more of the author as this book really did form my attitudes and interests to the present day.
Also commented on "Is it worth paying more for products endorsed by celebrities" I am aso trying to find the follow button for twitter (@mawhittaker) as I have really enjoyed reading the blogs I have seen x
ReplyDeletefirst of all thank you for holding such a lovely competition, i love all books, new old and digital. they all have their own lovely qualities and i wouldn't be without any of them!
ReplyDeletemy favourite books for children are the very cliche'd harry potters, but i love them, can't beat 'em in my book. i also love all the classics i read as a child myself, the wind in the willows, the borrowers,charlotte's web.. so many happy memories.
my email is magickmarz@aol.com, and i've yet to go find another post that takes my fancy but i'll leave my email on that comment too, so you know it's me.
thanks again
mazzy
Hi Galina,
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Folio Society books before but never actually seen inside one before your blog post, I never realised how beautiful they were. I must put them on my wishlist, as they most certainly look the type of books to be handed down to future generations as well. I think there is something magical about picking up a beautifully illustrated book.
In fact 'Wind in the Willows' is one of my favourite books ever, I have many lovely childhood memories of making my mother read and reread it to me, and I also loved the film. "On the Open Road" with Toad was one of my favourite scenes and the scene with the Washerwoman when Toad was in prison. I remember feeling so sad when I accidentally taped over the film as a child. Anyway, even if I don't win I am very intrigued to have seen inside a Folio Society book, so thanks for that.
My favourite book for children has to be Enid Blyton's 'The Wishing Chair' and 'The Faraway Tree' and I also loved C.S Lewis's 'The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe.'
Left a comment on your 'A boy in Dear Zoo pyjamas' post. @SarahJLCooper
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful prize, I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteCommented on 'Where's Eddie (It's Your Story personalised book review'
@Isis1981uk
I have commented on your delicious semolina carrot cake post :-)
ReplyDeleteWe love One Snowy Night! The kids adore me reading this to them as I lose my normally serious demeanor and attempt lots of comedy voices for the different animals. There's often very exaggerated hand gestures too :-)
I would have to say the hungry caterpillar - its a great book that engages you and is a timeless classic I will share it with my kids - if/when i have them!!
ReplyDeleteP.s - commented on the Russian dolls receipe - absolutely love that and am a total bookworm - helps me rewind!! hannahcomps@hotmail.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI love so many children books but Alice through the looking glass is my favorite. Its just full of great characters that capture your imagination straight away and you get hooked right at the start and can't wait to turn each page to follow the story, just great,brings back so many good memories. Its a true classic that will be around forever hopefully.
ReplyDeleteTeresa1963@operamail.com
I loved reading all of Roald Dahl's stories and also the Famous Five and Secret Seven books. Am looking forward to sharing these with my two little girls - although they are only 3 and 1 at the moment so I have a little longer to wait!
ReplyDelete@emmathebradshaw
I have commented on 'The Little Tiger Press' post.
ReplyDeleteI loved Anne of Green Gables and the Wind in the Willows
ReplyDeleteThere are so many, I used to love Anne of Green a gables and the Wind in the Willows, also Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl.
ReplyDeleteI commented on theRussian dollS recipe post
ReplyDelete@andrealm78
The Chronicles of Narnia
ReplyDeleteOoo, there are so many.. There are the obvious Harry Potter books, The Golden Compass, Secret Garden, etc.. I had a wide range of books I was into when I was younger and still do now, though I'm so bad with names that after I send this I bet I'll remember loads more and think 'why didn't I say that?!!'.
ReplyDeleteI posted a comment on Public Display of Autism (poem by Tina Moreland) and my Twitter name is @LifeInsomniac.
ReplyDeleteThe Chronicles of Narnia were my favourite books as a child but I'm miffed as an adult to learn that there was a religious agenda behind them.
ReplyDelete@00annabellee00
I posted a comment on 'Bresaola rolls with rocket and parmesan'
ReplyDelete@00annabellee00
My all time favourite childrens books are the two Binkle and Flip books by Enid Blyton, those naughty rabbits have amused me greatly since I first encountered them around the age of five. I still have copies of them and still read them regularly. My only regret is that Ms Blyton did not write more of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous looking edition. I'm definitely with you on the Kindle vs Books issue. It wouldn't exactly be the same to sit down with your kids and look at a Kindle!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite children's book is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. It is beautiful, but heartbreaking!
I've commented on the Trout Baked in Salt post!
@Laura_Cookies
Anything by Shirley Hughessuch lovely illustrations and old-fashioned values.
ReplyDelete@dragonfly6363
Famous five and Secret Seven books. Especially Five on a Treasure Island.
ReplyDeletedan372002@hotmail.com
What a beautiful edition of a lovely book! One of my favourite childhood books was A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
ReplyDeleteI have commented on http://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2011/10/soup-for-cold-autumnal-dinnertime.html
Twitter @compcake
My own favourite was Alice in Wonderland, but my boys couldn't get enough of the Roald Dahl books.
ReplyDelete@happyfox
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - Classic!
ReplyDeleteJames and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
ReplyDeleteOoo, so many to choose from. I rather like Stories for 9year olds. It's a compiltion of different stories. Rikki Tikki Tavi being one of the favourites in it.
ReplyDeleteAt the hole where he crawled in
Red-eye called to wrinkle-skin...
Love it!
OMG my brother used to get called Rikki Tikki Tavey, I dodn't know it's a real character!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite children's books are The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Black Beauty, The Wind In The Willopws and My Family And Other Animals, or for younger children, Funnybones, Where's Spot? and Not Now, Bernard. Also the unpublished book wot I wrote and am currently illustrating :)
ReplyDeleteGreat comp, thanks x
commented...andhad a giggle at...this: http://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-eat-custard.html
ReplyDeleteI used to get Little Golden Books (Pokey Little Puppy was my favourite) from the supermarket every week (I grew up in the States). My pocket money always went on books - well, until I was allowed to buy eyeshadow!
ReplyDeleteI loved getting Little Golden Books (my favourite was The Pokey Little Puppy) from the supermarket every week (I grew up in the States). From then on, my pocket money always went on books - until I was allowed to buy eyeshadow, at least ;)
ReplyDeleteneekeem@yahoo.co.uk
Oh Galina, I cannot believe that I have won such a beautiful book. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You don't realise what this means to me. Please know that I will look after it and treasure it always. x
ReplyDelete