#9 The Railway Children

When I was a little girl, my dream was to have my own library. A vast collection of all different types of books, a library similar to the size of the one belonging to the Beast in Disney’s 1991 classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’. So it became a thing between my Momo (word for Mother’s mother, Grandmother, in Swedish) and I that she would give me a book for my birthday and at Christmas. There is now a designated section on my bookshelf for all of those wonders I was given. Some were books about flowers or dogs, I was even given a vintage edition of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. Momo gave me this book about 5 years ago and I had never read it. Sadly, she passed away in March 2017, so I thought it would be most appropriate to include it in my blog as she would’ve loved to have seen these entries.

Once again, I have chosen a classic. Written by E. Nesbit, it was first published in 1906 by Puffin. It is a sweet little story, perfect for children. I can see why Momo thought it was a good one to have on the shelf. It is told in third person but in a very personal way. I found myself wondering if I was learning about the characters through another sibling or the next-door neighbour. It makes the children come alive and makes you feel as though you are there, watching them all have a brilliant summer.

Late one evening Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are playing with one another whilst their Mother and Father are occupied with other things. Suddenly there is a knock at the door accompanied by two strange men who summons their Father. Next thing the children find out, is that their father has had to go away and won’t be coming home for a long time. So their Mother packs them up and moves them deep into the countryside, a new adventure for the family.

Bobbie, Peter and Phil are soon occupied with household chores, exploring the new house and the gardens that surround it. When looking over the rolling hills, the children notice a railway line with a station not far from the house. This becomes the new adventure for the trio.

Throughout the story, the children find themselves making new and surprising friends of all different ages. A few times they become local heroes by being in the right place at the right time and using their instinct. This book is full of excitement, a read that makes you smile throughout when reading.

Little did I know that there was a film of ‘The Railway Children’ so I would be happy if people cut a corner or two and watched this all-time classic. I have a feeling that it is going to be my choice of film for the next family night.

I thank my Momo for buying me this book as well as many others to help build my library. Through this blog I am further extending it, which I’m sure she would’ve love to have seen.

Hx