Eleanor Farjeon

Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) was an English author who made significant contributions to children's literature through her stories, plays, and poetry. Her most widely recognized work is the lyrics to "Morning Has Broken," which became a popular hymn and was later recorded by Cat Stevens. Farjeon wrote prolifically across multiple genres, producing over 80 works during her career that spanned from 1908 to 1958. Her children's books, including "Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard" and "The Little Bookroom," established her reputation as a masterful storyteller who could blend fantasy with everyday life. Born into a literary family in London, Farjeon was educated at home due to poor health and spent her early years immersed in books and creative writing. The Children's Book Circle presents an annual Eleanor Farjeon Award in her memory, recognizing outstanding contributions to children's literature. During her lifetime, Farjeon collaborated with notable illustrators, including Edward Ardizzone, who provided artwork for several of her publications. Her autobiography "A Nursery in the Nineties" offers insights into her Victorian childhood and the literary environment that shaped her writing career.

Readers appreciate Farjeon's whimsical writing style and ability to capture childlike wonder without being childish. Her poetry and short stories continue to resonate with both children and adults. What readers liked: - Imaginative blend of fantasy and reality - Lyrical, musical quality to the writing - Memorable characters that feel timeless - Moral lessons presented naturally without preaching What readers disliked: - Some stories feel dated in their language and references - Pacing can be slow for modern readers - Collections can be uneven in quality - Some editions lack illustrations that enhanced original versions Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "The Little Bookroom": 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) - "Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard": 4.0/5 (150+ ratings) - "Morning Has Broken": 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Amazon reviews highlight her "gift for creating magical moments from ordinary situations" and praise her "respect for young readers' intelligence." Several reviewers note passing these books down through generations, though some mention their children finding the language challenging.

The Little Bookroom (1955) A collection of 27 short stories combining fairy tales and everyday life, which won the Carnegie Medal and Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard (1921) A novel featuring a wandering minstrel who tells stories to six dairy maids while trying to help a young man reunite with his love.

Martin Pippin in the Daisy Field (1937) The sequel to Apple Orchard, where Martin tells six more stories to young children in a daisy field.

A Nursery in the Nineties (1935) Farjeon's autobiography detailing her Victorian childhood and early literary influences.

Kings and Queens (1932) A collection of poems about English monarchs, with each ruler receiving their own verse biography.

The Silver Curlew (1953) A fairytale novel based on the story of Tom Tit Tot, featuring a miller's daughter who must spin flax into gold.

The Glass Slipper (1955) A retelling of Cinderella that expands on the classic tale with additional character development.

The Old Nurse's Stocking-Basket (1931) A collection of stories told by a nurse while darning stockings, each tale inspired by a different hole in a sock.

E. Nesbit wrote fantasy stories for children in the early 1900s that blend magic with everyday family life, similar to Farjeon's style. Her works like "Five Children and It" and "The Railway Children" feature the same mix of whimsy and realism that characterizes Farjeon's writing.

Walter de la Mare created children's poetry and prose that combines fantasy elements with natural settings during the same era as Farjeon. His works share her talent for musical language and folklore-inspired storytelling.

Lucy M. Boston wrote the Green Knowe series featuring old houses, magic, and time-travel themes that echo Farjeon's approach to fantasy. Her work demonstrates the same respect for children's intelligence and imagination that marks Farjeon's writing.

Mary Norton created The Borrowers series, which shares Farjeon's ability to find magic in ordinary places and objects. Her writing style features the same attention to detail and creation of complete fantasy worlds within realistic settings.

P.L. Travers wrote the Mary Poppins series with a similar blend of magic and everyday life that characterizes Farjeon's work. Her books contain the same mix of whimsy and practical wisdom found in Farjeon's stories.