Plays, poetry and music

Enid Blyton - Mason Willey's Collectors' and Enthusiasts' Guide to First Editions

Plays, poetry and music

On this page, you will find listed some of Enid Blyton's earliest works, much sought after by collectors. The poetry books Child Whispers and Real Fairies were Enid's earliest successes. Responsive Singing Games and Songs of Gladness are very rare items indeed.

The Play's the Thing is a huge tome (approx. 16"x10"), intended for use in schools. Some guide to the reason for its size is given in the preface, which states: "The teacher will find it a great help to show the children the picture of the scene from the play chosen, and to let them pore over it." Alfred E. Bestall,

later to find fame with his definitive interpretations of Rupert Bear and his Nutwood friends, was the illustrator.

A Book of Little Plays (pub. by Nelson) 1927

The Play's the Thing

(musical plays, pub. by Nelson,

ill. by Alfred E. Bestall,

music by Alex Rowley) 1927

The content of this book was re-issued in 1940 in two volumes: Plays for Older Children and Plays for Younger Children.

Six Enid Blyton Plays (pub. by Methuen) 1935

This book was published simultaneously in a cheaper school edition.

The Blyton-Sharman Musical Plays for Juniors

(pub. by Wheaton in six parts,

music by Cecil Sharman) 1939

Cameo Plays Book Four (pub. by Arnold,

ed. by George H. Holroyd) 1939

The other three in the series are not Blyton.

How the Flowers Grow and other musical plays

(pub. by Wheaton, music by Cecil Sharman) 1939

School Plays: six parts for schools (pub. by Blackwell)1939

The Wishing Bean and other plays (pub. by Blackwell) 1939

Finding the Tickets*

Mister Sly-One and the Cats*

The Mothers' Meeting*

Who Will Hold the Giant?*

*Published by The Camelot Press in 1955.

These plays originally appeared in Enid Blyton's Book of the Year, q.v.

Enid Blyton's Book of Her Famous Play: Noddy in Toyland

(music by Philip Green, prod. London) 1955

The Famous Five stage play was produced in London in 1955

Child Whispers (pub. by Saville) 1922

Real Fairies (pub. by Saville) 1923

These two books were originally published in pictorial card covers (by Phyllis Chase), and new editions were published in 1923 in hardback with dustwrappers.

Silver and Gold

(ill. by Lewis Baumer, pub. by Nelson) 1925

A de-luxe edition was issued in 1925, ill. by Ethel Everett.

The Enid Blyton Poetry Book

(pub. by Methuen) 1934

Also published in a school (cheaper) edition.

Enid's earliest success, illustrated by childhood friend Phyllis Chase

A real rarity. All Phyllis Chase illustrated items are much sought after by collectors

Responsive Singing Games

(words and music by Enid Blyton,pub. by Saville) 1923

Songs of Gladness (music by Alec Rowley,

pub. by Saville) 1924

Also known to exist:

The Singer in the Night (song, pub. by Novello) 1925

See also, The Noddy Song Book, The New Noddy Song Book, and Enid Blyton's Noddy in Toyland Music, all listed under Noddy.

Songs of Gladness - an extremely rare item. The pictorial card wraps again by Phyllis Chase