The Little Bookroom by Eleanor Farjeon, 1955

A book to be read until it is torn, tattered, dog-eared and candy-stained

If I ever have children, I would make sure that Eleanor Farjeon's "The Little Bookroom" will be part of their library and their childhood. Happy days could end with a story of a "Young Kate" who sang and danced and planted flowers, then a good night kiss and then a tuck into bed. Difficult days could be made better with the story of the Little Dressmaker and her dresses , a tight hug and a warm glass of milk. Eleanor's stories are not just tales to be read then forgotten, they are springboards of the imagination and of lively discussion. In the tale of the "Seventh Princess," would you rather be one of the six princesses or the seventh? Do you love a toy as much as Célestine was loved in the story of "San Fairy Ann?" If you were one of the Princes in "Leaving Paradise," would you? Some stories are funny, like "Westwoods," and some are heartbreaking, like "the Lovebirds," but all of them magically transport the reader to another world. I have no doubt this book will be read until it was tattered, torn, dog-eared and stained with sticky candy. The King and the Corn - Simple Willie tells the story of a boy (or is he the boy?) who values his father's cornfield above all the riches of Egypt's Pharaoh. The King's Daughter Cries for the Moon - The Disappearance of the Princess results in a comedy of errors where even night and day are turned upside-down. Young Kate - Kate finds the freedom and time to sing, dance and plant flowers, for which she is rewarded 50 times over. The Flower Without a Name - Adam forgot to name one of God's flowers. The Goldfish - For some, happiness comes from a world more suited to their size. The Clumber Pup - A young, kind-hearted woodcutter finds love with the help of a dog, a cat and an old woodcutter. Best love letter ever: "My Love! I love you because you are lovely like my Pup." The Miracle of the Poor Island - A girl's sacrifice is repaid in kind by a miracle that saves the people of the island. The Girl who Kissed the Peach-Tree - A girl's love of her peach-tree saves a village from a volcano's wrath. Westwoods - A young Prince woos Princesses with funny rhymes. He finds his true love in the dream country of Westwoods. The Barrel-Organ - A barrel-organ in an unlikely place lifts up a Traveller's spirit and helps him find his way. The Giant and the Mite - When a giant with great strength is paired with a mite of great mind, catastrophe occurs. The Little Dressmaker - What sounds like a traditional fairy tale love story twists into something more delightful. A queen giving her nephew pencil-cases makes me chuckle. The Lady's Room - A lady keeps changing her mind about her room's decoration. Is this a fable about the dangers of discontent or a cautionary tale against fairies as interior decorators? The Seventh Princess - Would you pass on to your child a beautiful park and castle or freedom in the wide world? The Little Lady's Roses - Friendship is kindled with roses. In Those Days - A soldier guards a barren spot. A fable about following orders when the reason is long gone. The Connemara Donkey - Danny believes in his heart the tales of Finnigan O' Flannagan, his white donkey in Connemara. The Tims - In times of distress, the villagers turn to the Tims for advice. Pennyworth - How much fun can be had for a penny? And I Dance Mine Own Child - This sweet story of how a book keeps a child and her grandma together is my favorite of the bunch. The Lovebirds - A poor child's happiest moment is given her by a lovebird. San Fairy Ann - A well-loved doll introduces a sad child to a foster mom. The Glass Peacock - Kind Annar-Mariar shares her christmas tree ornaments with the children of the neighborhood. I love Annar-Mariar's love for her baby brother Willyum. The Kind Farmer - A recognition of kindness transforms a hard, tightfisted farmer into the village philanthropist. Old Surly and the Boy - A winter's miracle unites an old shepherd and a potential apprentice. Pannychis - A story inspired by Andre Chenier's Pannychis. Don't hold a beloved too tightly. In 300 characters: Some stories are funny, like "Westwoods," and some are heartbreaking, like "the Lovebirds," but all of them magically transport the reader to another world. I have no doubt this book will be read until it was tattered, torn, dog-eared and stained with sticky candy. living archive amazon.co.uk amazon.com