Tuesday 19 October 2010

Books and sewing- challenges both

I went into my local Collins book store last week- I did have a voucher to spend but of course didn't take the names of the books I really wanted to buy- a mixture of craft and children's fiction.  But the staff were setting up a new display.  One book- well retro book caught my eye- hey I said I've got that book at home- I read it in my first year of high school- in fact a childhood friend recently discovered my name in the book and the book on her bookshelf and returned it to me- many, many years after she had borrowed it.

I was really surprised to see this book reprinted.  It poses the question- is this what readers want now- a mystery, a step up from Enid Blyton?  As writers are we providing this?

I also wanted to share a craft from scraps and recycled material( thanks Janeen for those cloth serviettes).  I belong to a craft group called Knotty Ladies and they are working towards a market for craft from recycled material for Christmas and charity.

The pattern can be found here.wrap around doll

10 comments:

Claire said...

Interesting to see what is reprinted. At book group recently we looked at several editions of poetry collections. One original dated back to the 1880s, and has been regularly reprinted, and we speculated who the target market is for the most recent incarnation, and decided it was most likely nostalgic adults.

jen storer said...

I shall keep an eye out for that book lorraine...i am definitely a nostalgic adult! Dollies look very quirky! jx

Rochelle said...

cute dolly faces!
I always enjoyed a Nancy Drewe mystery :)

Life's a poem said...

Claire, Jen, Rochelle, yes- I think its nostalgic literature... and adults do buy books of children and teens as gifts- must read the book and remember what it was like. Hey Rochelle I read Carolyn Keen about the same time as I was reading this gem.

Sue Walker said...

I worked in a children's book shop a while back and noted with interest the number of retro-type picture books being reprinted. I agree it is nostalgia that makes them sell. My faves were "Little Toot" and "The Story of Little Babaji." Both still have loads of kid appeal - what 5 year old doesn't like boats and tigers?

anna said...

I love these little wrapped dolls Lorraine - I truly believe there is no scrap of fabric too small to be of use in doll making! These are really beautiful.

Life's a poem said...

Sue,yes we can learn a lot from these
books- I have Little Toot- in an earlier version, waiting for my UK based daughter to read it( to her daughter)!

I think it would be very interesting working in a book shop!!
Lorraine

Life's a poem said...

Arabella, I agree- but when I should be writing, I'm crafting, or gardening, or doing something for my very big family! I have just discovered the Felties book...

Lorraine

Janeen said...

Thanks Lorraine - I love hearing about your life's mixture of reading, writing and crafting! I also heard recently from a bookseller that Enid Blyton books are regaining even more popularity. Crikey! Think I'll change my name. Enid Brian? Janeen Blyton?!
Those dolls are too cute for words!

Janeen

tjoyy said...

wow just catching up with my online life and here are your dolls here! Great post mum