Puffin Covers 2

[callmemadam]

Redcap Runs Away by Rhoda Power. Puffin Story Book 103. First published 1952, Puffin edition 1957. Cover and text illustrations by C Walter Hodges.

Rhoda Power (1890-1957), wrote several historical books for children. The best known are probably Boys and Girls of History, written with her sister Eileen, and We Were There. I think I read We Were There at school but nowadays Redcap Runs Away is possibly the only one of her books still being read. It's the story of a boy who runs away to join a troupe of travelling entertainers but the plot is just a device for telling medieval tales. The one which struck me as a child and which I’ve always remembered, is Our Lady’s Tumbler.

Comments

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

I remember We were There and Our Lady's Tumbler. That was filmed - possibly for television - but I don't thunk that i ever saw it.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I don't remember a television version. It would have been interesting.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

It's a distinctive style you can spot immediately, isn't it? Like Ardizzone. I love the illustrations CWH did for The Little White Horse.

[debodacious.livejournal.com]

I have a hardback copy. Our form teacher read this to us in my last year at primary school and I always remembered the tumbler story. It is referred to (though not by name) in one of AF's books - End of Term I think, but can't check as her books are at the new house.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I don't think I've ever seen a hardback copy.
I'm not going out in the rain to the book chalet to look up the AF reference, so I'll take your word for it.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Was it perhaps in connection with bringing a hawk into the play?

[joyeuce]

We had a book by Rhoda Power when I was little, and I am now irritated by my inability to remember the title! It was a collection of folk-tales, or stories that sounded as if they ought to be folk-tales, including one about lapwings. I was frightened by some of them as a child (my father did a very good line in dramatic reading aloud), but would quite like to re-read now.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Doesn't ring any bells with me and she wrote several collections of stories. Seven Minute Tales?

[joyeuce]

A bit of googling suggests it may have been Ten Minute Tales. I wonder if my father still has it?

Now I want to read Redcap Runs Away ...

[coughingbear]

I remember having Our Lady's Tumber read to us, but I don't think I ever owned the book. The art is lovely - I recognise the style from other books, maybe Rosemary Sutcliff? Will have to have a look on my shelves tonight.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

ISTR CWH illustrated The Armourer's House and Brother Dusty-Feet but can't check ATM.
Also William Mayne's A Swarm in May.