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Railway Children
Railway Children | E Nesbit
The Railway Children is the classic children's story by E. Nesbit. When Father is taken away unexpectedly, Roberta, Peter, Phyllis and their mother have to leave their comfortable life in London to go and live in a small cottage in the country. The children seek solace in the nearby railway station, and make friends with Perks the Porter and the Station Master himself. Each day, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis run down the field to the railway track and wave at the passing London train, sending their love to Father. Little do they know that the kindly old gentleman passenger who waves back holds the key to their father's disappearance. One of the best-loved classics of all time, with a wonderful introduction by Jacqueline Wilson. Edith Nesbit was a mischievous child who grew up into an unconventional adult. With her husband, Hubert Bland, she was one of the founder members of the socialist Fabian Society; their household became a centre of the socialist and literary circles of the times. E. Nesbit turned late to children's writing. Her first children's book, The Treasure Seekers, was published in 1899 to great acclaim. Other books featuring the Bastable children followed, and a series of magical fantasy books, including Five Children and It also became very popular. The Railway Children was first published monthly in the London Magazine in 1905, and published as a book in 1906, which has been in print ever since. Other children's books by E Nesbit: The Story of the Treasure Seekers; The Wouldbegoods; The New Treasure Seekers; Complete History of the Bastable Family; Five Children and It; The Phoenix and the Carpet; The Story of the Amulet; The House of Arden; Harding's Luck; The Railway Children; The Enchanted Castle; The Magic City; The Wonderful Garden; Wet Magic; Five of Us and Madeline
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Blueroseis
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I couldn't resist purchasing the Railway Children for my Grandchildren as a 208 page unbridged edition was available from Amazon for £3.99

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kissmehardy
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Pickpick

British children's stories are just so charming. I loved the narration of this story, even if I didn't know quite enough about early 20th century life to really get everything. #childrenslit #classics

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megnews
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

Listened to this BBC Children‘s Classic radio play. Very enjoyable. Plan to check out some more in the series.

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PurpleyPumpkin
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Pickpick

I don't recall ever reading this children's classic & I'm glad that I finally did! It's a feel good story that isn't complicated or sad, even though bad things happen. The children are generally unaware of what their parents are enduring. So they make the best of their changed situation. Sure, there are some problematic stereotypes, but for a book written in 1905, it was progressive for it‘s time. #ChildrensClassicRead2022
(September 5, 2022)

TheBookHippie I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! I agree with everything you said! I am so glad I read this!!! AND for 1905 I thought it was quite good. 2y
MemoirsForMe Great review! Totally agree! 2y
60 likes3 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

An endearing read. I like the sentiments the story shows - kindness, compassion, and fortitude. I frown upon the stereotypes of boys and girls; and foreigners. If I had read this when I was a kid, I‘d have enjoyed it immensely. But now I just focus on the fun adventures of the quick witted and courageous siblings, and the heartwarming story.

#ChildrensClassicRead2022

TrishB If I‘ve re-read some of the stereotypes from my childhood as an adult I‘ve generally breathed a sigh of relief that I turned out ok despite all that! 2y
batsy That's a pretty edition! 💕 2y
youneverarrived That‘s a lovely edition 😍 2y
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TheBookHippie @TrishB I agree!! phew... 2y
TheBookHippie As a child I would have really been enamored as well. It was quite a sweet story,
I am glad we read it. What a pretty picture !
2y
LeahBergen Lovely photo (and so many old favourites ❤️)! 2y
CarolynM What a great collection😍 2y
73 likes7 comments
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rabbitprincess
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
Pickpick

I liked this better than Five Children and It, possibly because there were fewer children and more trains 😆

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julieclair
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

A sweet story about the many adventures of 3 endearing children who live near a train track in the countryside near London. The children have hearts of gold, and always try to do the right thing, even if, being human, they may have a few missteps along the way. Written in 1905, the story works well as a period piece. ⬇️

julieclair Some of the language, social norms and attitudes are very different from today, and the children have much less supervision than would be considered safe in today‘s world. I think many of today‘s children, particularly Americans, would find some of the vocabulary and references difficult to understand. #ChildrensClassicRead2022 @TheBookHippie @Pantone2022 #PolarNight @Clwojick 2y
Ruthiella I didn‘t read this as a child, but when I did read British books, I just read past what I didn‘t understand. I was an adult before I finally discovered what a “waistcoat” was! 😂 2y
TheBookHippie @Ruthiella 😂😂😂😂💯 2y
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TheBookHippie @julieclair I agree you have to read this with the timeline in your mind. With that it‘s a very sweet story. 2y
julieclair @Ruthiella I‘m still doing that! 😂 2y
julieclair @TheBookHippie I wish I had read this as a child… I would have absolutely loved it! I still enjoyed it as an adult, but as a child it would have been magic. 2y
20 likes6 comments
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MemoirsForMe
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

This classic certainly had me reaching for a few tissues.😭The mother‘s devotion to her family, the sweet sibling bonds, the overwhelming kindness and unconditional love—touched my heart. Living in today‘s crazy world, I‘m always up for a happy ending. And since Edith Nesbit had quite a tumultuous family life, I guess these happy endings made her feel better too.
#ChildrensClassicRead
@TheBookHippie
#SerialReader

TheBookHippie It‘s like a warm hug. 2y
batsy Lovely review! 2y
See All 6 Comments
MemoirsForMe @batsy🤗🤗🤗 2y
PurpleyPumpkin Aww what a sweet review. 💜 In today‘s world, books like this are so comforting. I‘m starting this one today and looking forward to it. Here‘s hoping I can finish it by the end of the month!🤞🏽 2y
MemoirsForMe @PurpleyPumpkin Hey my friend! Nice to see you! That‘s exactly why I love these classics. Very comforting. Happy reading to you! I‘m sure you‘ll breeze thru this one. 🤗 2y
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Blackink_WhitePaper
Railway Children | E Nesbit
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Pickpick

It is a cute story. I like the good spirit, kindness & siblings love in the story. I adored their mom 🥰 such an ideal mother. There is a good message about standing together in tough times & family bonding. Few things felt irrelevant now, but overall I enjoyed reading this one. My 2.5 year old daughter is obsessed with trains 😬 Can‘t wait to read this with her ! Thanks for selecting this @TheBookHippie #childrensclassicread2022 #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I thought this was such a fun one. And I want an entire book just from their mom's perspective - she was fabulous! 2y
TheBookHippie I agree with your review! I‘m so glad I read it! 2y
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batsy
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Pickpick

When I was a kid I was super enthralled with this book, but reading it now I'm noticing stuff that I'm less enamoured with. Chiefly, it's the traditional politics & the takes on foreigners. It is a product of its time. Younger me would have given this 4 or 5 stars, adult me is thinking this is more of a 3. But I'll let nostalgia win because I still found it an immensely comforting read, with pie for breakfast, children triumphing & a happy ending.

batsy A perfect book for summer/long holidays in the sun! #ChildrensClassicRead2022 @TheBookHippie 2y
erzascarletbookgasm True, just like those Enid Blyton books are products of the time, but we loved them so much then. ❤️ Nice review, I better get started on this. 2y
batsy @erzascarletbookgasm So true! I hope you enjoy this 💕 2y
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AnnR I'm about halfway through the book and totally understand your perspective. There are some “iffy“ parts but I usually try to set that aside the best I can when reading classic children's stories. (Easier said than done sometimes.) The same goes for some books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Frances Hodgson Burnett. 2y
batsy @Ann_Reads Oh, yes! I know what you mean. I turn to a lot of those books because they remind me of how much I loved reading them as a child but there's stuff that's hard to ignore or brush over at times. 2y
Centique I sometimes wish that those books existed “the way I remember them” and not the actual reality. That childhood eye that just gleaned the good bits! But of course I appreciate we need to face up to all the problems within them and critique them too. Thank goodness we have a lot of authors writing new fabulous and inclusive childrens books 🙌 2y
Centique By which I mean… I reread some and can‘t get over the problematic parts either 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
batsy @Centique Exactly! You said it so well. When I read them now I'd like to retreat to that same comfort they provided as a kid, but if course it'll never quite be the same. 2y
TheBookHippie I totally agree. I very much enjoyed it as an adult and realized the times it was written in and why. 2y
81 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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Daisey
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

This was a delightful listen! I know it‘s important for readers to see realistic struggles in some of the stories they read, but I also just love a classic story full of kindness where all the problems are solved and everything ends happily. No matter the difficulty, these three siblings get through it together and make new friends along the way.

#ChildrensClassicRead2022 #audiobook

Daisey @TheBookHippie Yet another classic story I‘ve not read before and am so glad I picked up for the readalong! 2y
TheBookHippie @Daisey It is just like a hug!!! ♥️♥️♥️ I‘m so glad you join in! It is simply a wonderful story. 2y
MemoirsForMe Great review! Totally agree! 2y
52 likes3 comments
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batsy
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Starting #ChildrensClassicRead2022 August selection with my treasured copy that I read as a child 💚

@TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️ 2y
AnnR Love the Snoopy coffee cup! 2y
mabell And a Trixie Belden peeking out! 2y
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erzascarletbookgasm I love Snoopy!! My Trixie Beldens and Nancy Drews were all eaten by silverfish! 😭 2y
LeahBergen Aww! ❤️❤️ 2y
Sparklemn The Trixie Belden looks like it's in great condition. Most of mine are “gently used“...but loved. 2y
batsy @Ann_Reads I was so happy to find it! He totally makes my day 😆 2y
batsy @mabell 😁 2y
batsy @erzascarletbookgasm Oh no, I'm sorry about that! It's so hard to maintain a collection of books over years in our climate 😢 I'm just clinging on to all my foxed copies as long as I can. 2y
batsy @Sparklemn Haha, yes most of mine from when I was a kid are "gently used" too, and in different paperback editions. These are fairly new that I picked up at a discount store—can't resist a Trixie Belden! 2y
TheLudicReader Omg, Trixie Beldon! I also love The Railway Children. The movie makes me cry every time. 2y
batsy @TheLudicReader I've not watched any adaptations! I know the 1970 one seems well regarded. I'm going to try to after this re-read. 2y
TheLudicReader @batsy…that version, with Jenny Agutter, is lovely. 2y
batsy @TheLudicReader I have only heard good things about it; it appears to be well-loved :) 2y
MemoirsForMe Snoopy! 😍🙌🏻 2y
batsy @UwannaPublishme The best! ❤️ 2y
sisilia The Snoopy mug! 😍 2y
batsy @sisilia ❤️ 2y
80 likes1 stack add19 comments
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TheSpineView
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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#Maymoms @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @eggs
#Iconic

Mrs. Waterbury is an iconic Mom.

Eggs Cover Love 💕 3y
52 likes1 comment
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yoavshai
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 281.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

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Minervasbutler
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Pickpick

An old edition of the excellent Backlisted podcast prompted a read of this children's classic which somehow I had never read as a child, despite being a huge Nesbit fan. If you can read the final scene without welling up you're a heartless beast.

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Veebee
Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Pickpick

The simplicity, innocence, kindness and togetherness of a bygone era. The book was published in 1906, when it used to be steam engines. One can enjoy the fun , frolic and adventure of a childhood in English countryside. And who was not fascinated by Railways, as children !

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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So I never ever read this before, but am discovering it with my children. We've really gotten into the audiobook thing! We, or some of us, as the youngest has done some listening behind her sister's back, have now covered The Magic Faraway Tree, Folk of the Faraway Tree, Adventures of the Wishing Chair and The Wishing Chair again. We all need to be present with The Railway Children though - I don't want to miss anything!

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Miguel_A
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
This post contains spoilers
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So I recently finished one of the books I've been reading, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, so I started a new little book called The Railway Children. It's a story where 3 children of a father that mysteriously disapeared have to leave the country and have to live in a small cottage in the countryside. The 3 children wave to the Station Master, without knowing that the Station Master was the cause of their father's disapearance.

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wordslinger42
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I finally got my #bookspin list ready, @TheAromaofBooks 😊 I'll just be participating in the regular spin and double spin challenge this time around, but would love to try bingo next month!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Glad to have you back for another round!! 4y
33 likes1 comment
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eram10
Mehso-so

“Girls are just as clever as boys, and don't you forget it!”

This is a light book mainly for children but somehow works for all age groups.It shows how three siblings enjoy their life near a railway station and with its employees.
The plot starts with the children's father going away for some mysterious reason which the mother does not disclose to the kids.

“everything has an end, and you get to it if you only keep all on.”

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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

Such Famous Five vibes from this book. Makes me wonder why I ever gave up reading children's books 😊

batsy It's one of my favourites 💕 5y
19 likes1 comment
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

Anyone remember watching the 1970 movie with Jenny Agutter? I loved it as a kid and reading the book was a comforting experience. People looking out for people...kinda timely given our current predicament. Stay safe, everyone. #covid19readathon

23 likes1 stack add
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MumWhoLovesToRead
Pickpick

Lovely read

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TheEllieMo
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The Railway Children spent a lot of time waiting for a -#Train

#LetsTravelAugust
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 👌🏻🚂 5y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Samplergal
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Pickpick

A delightful book for young readers( and not so young as well). I never read this as a child, and enjoyed it at 63. Reminiscent of another time, this one still works. The children smart and inquisitive, enjoy their time living near the railway station in the countryside. #booked2019 #PublicDomain. Read through serial reader, a great app for public domain books. Only one more prompt to be finished the entire year of prompts.

Butterfinger I loved this as a child. I need to reread it because I don't remember much except the children were waiting on their father. I think. 5y
TheLudicReader I loved that movie soooo much as a kid. 5y
Cinfhen Lovely choice and YES to @SerialReader ✅✅✅ 5y
See All 7 Comments
rabbitprincess Serial Reader is awesome! I have this one on my Read Later list. 5y
Samplergal @Butterfinger you are correct. It reminded me of Heidi for some reason. It funny how I was such a voracious reader as a kid, and yet, still didn‘t get to so many classics. 5y
Butterfinger @Samplergal what did you decide to read for the paranormal prompt? 5y
Samplergal @Butterfinger Beloved! I don‘t know why I didn‘t think of it. I started it several yrs ago and just picked it up again. 5y
73 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Clutterbucks_Queen
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Might scan read an old childhood classic before picking up my library books tomorrow! 🥰
Since I finished The girl with all the gifts today, being left with nothing to read will be so booooring 😴

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ScorpioBookDreams
Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Looking for my next Serial Reader book and decided to finally read the Railway Children!

Caroline2 Oh I loved this book when I was younger, it‘s so charming. 😍 6y
ScorpioBookDreams @Caroline2 I love the old film so can‘t wait to see what the book is like. 6y
Caroline2 From what I remember the film is very faithful so I think you‘ll enjoy it. 😀 6y
44 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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scripturient
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While I‘m nursing a cold and am doing everything to get well again before heading to our #litsyreadingretreat on Friday, I was thinking about comfort reading. Now there is a new entry on this on my blog: www.theconstantreader.net/blog 😊

TheDaysGoBy Feel better! 6y
wordzie Oooh pretty ❤ 6y
julesG Feel better! 6y
See All 7 Comments
squirrelbrain Get well soon! 🤞 6y
shanaqui Those are lovely looking editions! Comfort reading is so important. 6y
cobwebmoth Hope you feel better soon! 6y
Sarah83 Oh No... Not again 🙄 6y
94 likes7 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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My kids refused to read this with me, so I spent the afternoon reading it to myself.

Lcsmcat I remember reading this to my kids! 6y
thebacklistbook Is this anything like the boxcar children? 6y
Bookwormjillk @thebacklistbook A little bit. It has the same sweet, old fashioned vibe. The kids live in a house instead of a boxcar though. And they consider themselves poor because they only have one servant. 6y
39 likes4 comments
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Jee_HookedOnBookz
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#ANewChapter #railway @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Can never go wrong with Usborne 😊 Love this collection of stories! Has beautiful illustrations too!

48 likes2 comments
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laurieluna
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My partner found 2 folios for sale for only £4 online and went and got them for me! Great titles too. A bit of damage on the slipcases but the books are immaculate. And isn't that what slipcases are for? 😄 #foliofreaks #foliosociety

bullbunny Oh I have read the railway children, I own a different or did lol 6y
batsy I love The Railway Children! I'm sure it's beautiful with the illustrations 😍 6y
ravenlee I adore both of those books! 6y
See All 8 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm That‘s a steal, lucky you! The illustrations of Folio editions are always beautiful. 6y
laurieluna @bullbunny @batsy @ravenlee @erzascarletbookgasm they're lovely, great additions. Had my eye on both for a while. The sale this year isn't very good so was sad that I probably wouldn't add to my collection this time until my partner went hunting online and found these. A steal 👌 6y
Sarah83 Looks great 😍 6y
LeahBergen Lovely! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
minkyb ❣️ 6y
90 likes8 comments
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AvidReader25
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Yay for bookish Christmas loot! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! 🎄

batsy Lovely! All of my faves ❤️ Though I haven't read that Wodehouse 6y
AvidReader25 @batsy I‘d never even heard of it! 6y
Kalalalatja Pretty editions 😍😍 6y
LeahBergen Lovely!! 😍😍 6y
30 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
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A true classic, and loved the film too. Some great mystery in this one.
#ComeLittleChildren #OctoberPutASpellOnYou

87 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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alysonimagines
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“There‘s no end to this tunnel,“ said Phyllis—and indeed it did seem very, very long.
“Stick to it,“ said Peter; “everything has an end, and you get to it if you only keep on.“

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alysonimagines
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“So you‘ve made another lot of friends,” said Mother; “first the railway and then the canal!”
“Oh, yes,“ said Bobbie; “I think everyone in the world is friends if you can only get them to see you don‘t want to be un-friends.“ 😊❤️

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alysonimagines
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“Whenever an Editor was sensible there were buns for tea.” 😅😅😅

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alysonimagines
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I read this book when I was a kid and have no memory of coming across the word “snarky” in it. 😂😂😂 Whenever I find a word or expression in an older book that‘s still in use today, it seems funny to me. But I guess E. Nesbit used it long before I ever did!

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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

A very sweet riches to rags story. Unrealistic? Definitely but worth a read.

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kathleenaflynn
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A children‘s classic I never read as a child. I found this copy on the street and am enjoying it so far — about 1/4 in.

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JillR
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Pickpick

It‘s been a bit of a slog, but we finally finished this tonight, continuing my quest to read with my children all the books I didn‘t read when I was a child. Seth fidgeted through nearly all of this with lots of sighing and annoyance at the writing that feels so dated to him, but then we got to the end, both tried really hard not to cry, and he admitted he‘d actually enjoyed it. A big deal when you‘re 10 and trying to be cool 😆 #raisingreaders

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Lcsmcat
The Railway Children | Edith Nesbit
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Kaye Will this be the last post before Shut Down ? I keep watching the clock. It‘s 7:04 AM 7y
Lcsmcat Me too! I was in a rush to post it for that reason! 7y
AmyG @Kaye I was surprised this worked. Lovely book, btw! 7y
Lcsmcat @AmyG Thanks. It was a favorite when my kids were little. 7y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Teakillamockingbird
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Decided to become an Usborne Independent organiser. Best business ever. I love books I‘m training to become an ECP so I know lots of schools and parents. And the books are stunning. This is my kit Qb you can join and just sell to friends or you can make a business out off it. Please check my page on Facebook where you can look at catalogue place an order or find out about joining. https://www.facebook.com/puddleduckbooks/

Ms_T Good luck! Usborne regularly visit my workplace 😃 7y
21 likes1 comment
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JillR
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Bookish gift #5: one for Seth‘s pile although I‘ll admit this one is more for me! Another classic I never read as a child. I‘m loving the cover #raisingreaders

batsy I love this book! That's a great edition. 7y
erzascarletbookgasm Lovely edition 7y
Cathythoughts Enjoy 💕 7y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments