1950's childrens novel

[mikey4444]

I am trying to trace a book I read as a child, in the late 1950's - early 1960's.

I have a name of The Enchanted Forest but its not that. I have researched it and its by Enid Blyton, which isn't right.

The plot, as far as I can remember was about a wood or a forest that was being threatened in some way, and the animals decided to move, lock stock and barrell to a new location. These animals are the sort that talk, wear clothes, etc, etc. There were no people in the books, just the animals.

They all make a new home for themselves and live happily ever after. Their houses were built into the trees and had front doors, parlours, etc, rather in the way of Wind in the Willows. I am struggling to remember any more but I know an owl was involved. I also seem to recall that some of the animals smoked pipes. Well, this was rather a long time ago !

There was also a couple of other sequals, following the adventures of the animals.

Sorry that this is not much to go on but I have been searching Wikipedia for months and have drawn a blank.

Perhaps there is somebody in thier late 50's who remembers reading these books

[mosesg]

Is it the animals of Farthing Wood? Remember the TV series so would imagine they came from a book

[mccfluff]

animals of farthing wood has got to be it. loved those books!

[jno]

you could try asking here

http://forums.abebooks.com/abesleuthcom

[mccfluff]

where they really written in the 50's?

[mccfluff]

hmmm according to this it was published in 1979 so may not be it

http://en.wikipedia.o...thing_Wood_%28book%29

[BlueScorpion]

I don't think it can be The Animals of Farthing Wood as those books were written in the early eighties I think

[alid5]

dont think it was 'Animals of farthing wood' remember reading these in the 70s not before then

[alid5]

Could it be the Chronicles of Narnia
http://en.wikipedia.o..._Chronicles_of_Narnia

[mikey4444]

Thanks for all your replies. Farthing Wood was published at least 20 years after I read my book, which was when I was about 9-10, in early the 60's.

However, the story is similar although Farthing Wood would seem to be much more "serious" in the same vein as Watership Down and Duncton Wood. I guess the flight of animals from an old home to a new one is a regular theme in childrens literature.

I guess this quest of mine may be somewhat hopeless as I can remember so little details !

The animals in my book were rather on the lines of the characters in the Wind in the Willows, in that they portrayed all the traits of being human....wearing clothes, sitting down to the table to eat, having front doors and even running water.

Thanks again to all !

[mikey4444]

Success ! I have tried another website ( thanks JNO ! )
"Into the Happy Glade"
"By a Silver Stream"
"Green Glade"

All by Trevor Dudley-Smith, a very prolific author, probably more famous
for "The Quiller Memorandum"

Also far too expensive to buy from the booksellers available on line ( £100 +)
but I am happy that I have found out the info at last.

Thanks to everyone !

[jno]

this one's a bit cheaper, though not cheap

http://www.trademe.co...ing.aspx?id=416849166

since it didn't sell at that price you could try undercutting it... but bear in mind postage from NZ. (About NZ$2=£1)

[Buenchico]

It's probably "The Enchanted Forest and Other Tales" by Robert Crottet, which was published in 1949 by Richards Press, London, with an introduction by Eric Linklater and woodcuts by Eric King

£6.00 (+£3.25 p&p) here:
http://www.abebooks.c...%3D0%26kn%3Denchanted

Another possibility is "The Enchanted Forest. (Fairy Tales with Colour Plates)" by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite & Grenbry Outhwaite, published in 1921 by A & C Black, London

£7.49 + (£4.06 p&p) here:
http://www.abebooks.c...anted%26x%3D0%26y%3D0

"The Enchanted Forest", by Violet Brady (with illustrations by Gordon Browne) was also published in 1921, by Oxford University Press.

(Sorry, I can't find any copies offered for sale)

Those are the only items with 'enchanted forest' in the title, published in the relevant period and within the correct classification, listed in the British Library catalogue.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Aagh!

I've only just read your post above, stating that you'd found what you're looking for!

Sorry!!!

[junglequeen]

Into The Happy Glade by Trevor Dudley-Smith - also By A Silver Stream and others

[junglequeen]

Into The Happy Glade by Trevor Dudley-Smith (aka Elleston Trevor)- followed by By A Silver Stream. Others by same author include Deep Wood, Heather Hill and the Wumpus series Author wrote 25 kids books altogether, under 2 pseudonyms.

[Lin13]

It's Into the Happy Glade by Trevor Dudley Smith who also wrote as Elleston Trevor. I love the whole series but very difficult to find the last one.