Martin Pippin in the Daisy-Field

Martin Pippin #2

by Eleanor Farjeon

Wandering minstrel, Martin Pippin, encounters six little girls on his travels - who beg him to tell them stories. This he does whilst they are making daisy chains, and so his wonderful tales of magicians, mermaids, pirates and pigs are here-recounted.

The collection includes one of Farjeon's most famous and charming stories, 'Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep.

This classic, magical collection will be loved by adults and children alike - perfect for bedtime reading.

Genres: Childrens, Short Stories, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Literature, Young Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Daughter of Benjamin Leopold Farjeon, sister of Herbert Farjeon and J. Jefferson Farjeon.

Eleanor Farjeon was an English author of children's stories and plays, poetry, biography, history and satire. Many of her works had charming illustrations by Edward Ardizzone. Some of her correspondence has also been published. She won many literary awards and the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award for children's literature is presented annually in her memory by the Children's Book Circle, a society of publishers.

Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1956)

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this book as a child, so when I came across it in the same Puffin edition again, I had to have it. It's the second of two, but I never read the first. Martin Pippin is a young man who tells stories to six little girls hoping to put off bedtime while he tries to guess who their parents are. The stories he tells are fun and magical, like fairy tales but with no witches. Martin is a slightly fantastical creature himself, which makes it less creepy than it may sound. I'd forgotten that it ends in a surprising way - but I don't think I ever really liked the framing story as much as the individual stories. My favourite was and still is 'Elsie Piddock Skips In Her Sleep'. Such a great title!

[Emma Grace Blumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never appreciated this one as a child (except for one or two of the stories that I would re-read over and over while skipping the interludes) but I really do love it as a whole book now.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love love lovelovelove this book!! 8 little girls who want to stay out late and play in the daisy field. Martin Pippin comes to send them to bed, but they bargain with him: he must first guess each one's name and who their mother is, and before each guess he must tell a story. So loving and clever and nostalgic. I treasure my copy.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A follow up to 'Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard' i was delighted when i found it at the library. Sweet stories and such a simple and lovely concept makes this a book to be treasured for sure. I'm hunting for a copy for myself now, as an adult, so that i may treasure it all over again.

[Sem · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the wonderful 'Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep' (which I've also read in a separate edition illustrated by Charlotte Voake), 4 stars for the other stories, 2 stars for the uninspiring and sentimental interludes.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fairytales for all ages.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic resource for storytellers, & a book that impressed me lastingly.

[Anna Schubert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good, but not nearly as good as Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard. The framing story isn't quite as compelling, the ending is much weaker, and there is definitely some dated racial language .