tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post8029771751263460931..comments2024-02-26T06:20:23.823+00:00Comments on March House Books Blog: Books from my Bookshelf - About Us by May GibbsBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-69475784698021897932016-08-23T13:33:03.646+01:002016-08-23T13:33:03.646+01:00Thanks so much Shashi. I was super excited to fin...Thanks so much Shashi. I was super excited to find it. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-68072060525624126512016-08-22T23:07:00.480+01:002016-08-22T23:07:00.480+01:00Oh how wonderful Barbara. You have indeed found a ...Oh how wonderful Barbara. You have indeed found a treasure. I am so happy that your search for the book has ended.<br />It has beautiful illustrarionsShashi Nayagamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104875758016386977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-61975263533444670422016-08-21T17:11:40.628+01:002016-08-21T17:11:40.628+01:00Thank you so much Gary. I’m a little late in repl...Thank you so much Gary. I’m a little late in replying to this, but I hope your weekend is going well. xBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-52414654761029350762016-08-21T17:10:22.840+01:002016-08-21T17:10:22.840+01:00Hello Claudine, you are so right about being early...Hello Claudine, you are so right about being early. In fact, I might just catch an earlier train from now on!<br />I agree with you about the ending and the kangaroo, such a shame she didn’t stick with her original story, but then it may never have been published.<br />Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-54060010336243795422016-08-20T00:27:51.262+01:002016-08-20T00:27:51.262+01:00Hi Barbara,
Ah, the wondrous magic of finding a s...Hi Barbara,<br /><br />Ah, the wondrous magic of finding a special book you've been seeking. The story, somewhat quirky. The illustrations, exquisite. Thank you for sharing this. A pleasant weekend to you, Barbara.<br /><br />Gary klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-28354899733099062312016-08-19T10:33:14.802+01:002016-08-19T10:33:14.802+01:00I love the illustrations, so bright and fun. But l...I love the illustrations, so bright and fun. But like you, Barbara, the story ending left me unsatisfied and I keep thinking about the kangaroo, too. As for the tortoiseshell cat, aha finally! Finally their brilliance is made known to the world (thought this book came out in 1912).<br /><br />Lesson here: always be early for your hair appointments. So happy for you that you found this beloved book, Barbara! Yanting Guehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04788603550626277974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-43915597654811330002016-08-17T09:34:47.710+01:002016-08-17T09:34:47.710+01:00Hi Marcia, I think you are right about The Wizard ...Hi Marcia, I think you are right about The Wizard of Oz, even the images remind me a little of those done by Denslow. I must admit I hadn’t compared it to Alice or The Wizard and probably wouldn’t have done so had it not been pointed out to me, but I can see it now. I’m glad you like the illustrations. T are not to everyone’s liking, but I love them and the colours remain just as bright as they must have been when the book was published. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-71270194603111968042016-08-17T09:26:31.997+01:002016-08-17T09:26:31.997+01:00Hello Darlene, it’s magical isn’t it? I felt the ...Hello Darlene, it’s magical isn’t it? I felt the book was waiting for me, and I suspect you felt the same. Thanks so much for your comment. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-67740474686775065002016-08-17T09:10:03.615+01:002016-08-17T09:10:03.615+01:00Hi Colleen, it's a shame the Australian versio...Hi Colleen, it's a shame the Australian version remains unpublished. I can’t understand why the manuscript still languishes in the State Library of NSW. May Gibbs is such a phenomenon in Australia you would think some enterprising publisher would apply for the rights to publish. The story certainly has charm but it kind of losses its way from time to time. The chimney pot people and the Smuts are certainly clever, and I love the way the author suggests the Smuts are dying out. were the days of ‘pea-soupers’ (fog) when smoke and smuts would have been commonplace. <br />Willie is hilarious, I always look forward to his comments. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-57245969323249039342016-08-17T08:47:16.727+01:002016-08-17T08:47:16.727+01:00
Hello Sue, I don’t find the pictures at all creep...<br />Hello Sue, I don’t find the pictures at all creepy, but I guess I’m biased because I’ve been looking for the book for such a long time. The story, on the other hand, is distinctly odd, and it does have an ‘Alice’ feeling about it. <br />Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-125891878927752432016-08-17T08:27:52.479+01:002016-08-17T08:27:52.479+01:00Hi Julie, I think you might be right. Never give ...Hi Julie, I think you might be right. Never give up is going to be my new motto.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-82090627723442470142016-08-17T00:59:43.554+01:002016-08-17T00:59:43.554+01:00What a great find! I'm with you, the story'...What a great find! I'm with you, the story's a bit odd, but the illustrations carry it. Seems like Gibbs may have been influenced by the success of The Wizard of Oz, as well as Alice in Wonderland. Both books were already popular when this much shorter version of a young girl's journey to a strange land was written. And like many, it probably wouldn't have been publishable by today's standards (editors are constantly rejecting 'it was all a dream' manuscripts and most authors know it's a poor way to tell a story.) BUT, May Gibbs sounds like a fascinating woman and I'm very happy you've introduced us to her. Her illustrations are brilliant!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-38240064299186483452016-08-16T22:17:46.359+01:002016-08-16T22:17:46.359+01:00Don´t you just love it when you find a book you ha...Don´t you just love it when you find a book you have been looking for, for a long time? It happened to me on the Isle of Wight. I walked in an old bookstore and there it was in the middle of a heap of books. I couldn´t believe it. This book looks adorable but the storytelling is quite different from what we are used to now.Always love the old illustrations!Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04252671846285594734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-1169963422297583352016-08-16T16:11:54.741+01:002016-08-16T16:11:54.741+01:00Oh,Barbara! I know how you felt ---finding a book ...Oh,Barbara! I know how you felt ---finding a book you have wanted for so long. It is thrilling! I would love to see the Australian version of the story, it looks enchanting.The revised Edwardian London version is a bit odd. I love the little dog Wog. I also love the cats purring the poor little gutter girl to sleep- keeping her warm. I am so glad you found the book for your collection. Thank you for sharing it with us! I do enjoy your blog and your exchanges with Willie!colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08151269790181106294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-60651347510712556302016-08-16T09:33:52.249+01:002016-08-16T09:33:52.249+01:00I think there's something slightly sinister an...I think there's something slightly sinister and creepy about the pictures (although the dog is cute) and the story is a kind of second-rate Alice in Wonderland. I think I would have much preferred the flying kangaroo and the original version - it's a shame she had to change it. But interesting to see how times change - well done on finding this rare book! S.P.Moss (Sue)http://www.burmeon.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-79947973102683124222016-08-16T08:02:29.437+01:002016-08-16T08:02:29.437+01:00Unique is a very good description Stephanie. I jus...Unique is a very good description Stephanie. I just found it a little odd, but it doesn’t stop me enjoying it for what it is. Thanks for leaving a comment. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-45096293132984788112016-08-16T07:53:59.122+01:002016-08-16T07:53:59.122+01:00Hi Stephanie, the planets were definitely in align...Hi Stephanie, the planets were definitely in alignment that day. It doesn’t happen very often so it’s nice to celebrate and share when it does. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-63292289534517209932016-08-16T07:51:29.101+01:002016-08-16T07:51:29.101+01:00That was meant to be, you walking into the booksho...That was meant to be, you walking into the bookshop and seeing that book, things happen like that, and I am a great believer in things come to those who wait. <br />Julie xxxxxKC'sCourt!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16768777808237333266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-53385393327275622362016-08-16T07:43:39.096+01:002016-08-16T07:43:39.096+01:00Thanks Donna.Thanks Donna.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-4673790712121885522016-08-16T01:17:26.126+01:002016-08-16T01:17:26.126+01:00I love that you found this even though you only ha...I love that you found this even though you only had a little bit of time before your appointment. I really like the illustrations. Definitely a unique story. :) Thanks for sharing it with us! Stephanie@Fairday's Bloghttp://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-83721119868823014812016-08-15T21:47:35.553+01:002016-08-15T21:47:35.553+01:00How cool that you just happened upon it. It seems ...How cool that you just happened upon it. It seems like fate. And because you found it, you were able to share it with the world!Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-65110744601639052642016-08-15T19:48:13.470+01:002016-08-15T19:48:13.470+01:00What a darling story and such wonderful pictures. ...What a darling story and such wonderful pictures. I love the name Wog. How adorable is that? I'm so glad you came across this book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-31056500790269662282016-08-15T19:18:47.657+01:002016-08-15T19:18:47.657+01:00I really appreciate that John, thank you. I hope y...I really appreciate that John, thank you. I hope your submersible ‘experiments’ are going well. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-27155312015505493562016-08-15T19:13:53.604+01:002016-08-15T19:13:53.604+01:00You are absolutely right – it was just waiting for...You are absolutely right – it was just waiting for me to come along. Perhaps it knew it would be going somewhere where it would be loved!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-80211793617831785432016-08-15T19:12:33.143+01:002016-08-15T19:12:33.143+01:00Thanks so much Linda, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much Linda, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com