Tuppence for Paper and String

by Brenda Ashford

Each and every single one of the 100 plus children I have cared for over the past 62 years are very much in my heart.'It is 1945, the war is finally over and victory marches fill the streets of London. Brenda and her friends, happy that at long last the war is over, hope that they'll soon leave the days of rationing and worry behind. Before long Brenda's skills as a real life Mary Poppins are in demand again. Moving from house to house, Brenda never stays long, but just enough time to sprinkle a little magic and happiness.Word quickly spreads of this wonder nanny, who gets up to feed fretful babies in the middle of the night, who delivers quiet wisdom, and calmly restores order and happiness. Facing tragedy in her own life, Brenda never gives up on her quest to help the most troubled homes, changing hundreds of children's lives forever. TUPPENCE FOR PAPER AND STRING is a warm, uplifting and incredibly moving tale of a 1950s nanny, and her determination to give the children in her care the best possible start in life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2013

Reviews

[Liz Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few chapters at the beginning of this book that are repeated from her last book, A spoon full of Sugar. I found this a bit irritating but the book did get more interesting and actually rather sad with the story of the death of her parents. I did find the constant affirmations that Brenda never wanted to marry and have her own children rather as though she was still trying to convince herself rather than the reader. It was an interesting read but it does show that in some professions work does stop those people from having what others would call a normal life, their being quite insulated from the outside world. I did wonder if too happy and blissful childhood did not help you grow up and maybe you might yearn all your life or try and make your life go back to how it was as a child.

[Victoria Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that great, unfortunately. I usually love these "old lady rambling" stories, but this one was a bit much. Very padded by Ashford repeating over and over about her decision to remain a spinster and how young people play too many computer games. I can take it once, but when it appears over and over it's too much.

There are good bits, the actual stories are interesting, each chapter is ended by a few childrearing tips, and her overall childrearing philosophy is very sound, and was radical in her day.

I think this needed a right good edit. Could be about half the length but twice as good.

[Jane Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. It tells of her time as a nanny after the second world war, and it was interesting reading the things parents did then that they wouldn't do now.

[Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a lot of repetition with her first book - still valuable insights.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the progressions of history, both events and changes in lifestyle and culture which are noticeable in a book that spans 60 years.

It would be quite an exciting job, going into a household that's in chaos - working out how the people in it (particularly mum) best operate, then providing training, support and lots of hardwork to get them on their feet again - making yourself redundant in the process.

[Panda · Rating 3 out of 5]

saccharine self satisfaction from Über nanny Brenda... A gripping read for those of us who actually had a nanny.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Follow up book but much was repeated and so could have been condensed and incorporated into one volume. First book 4*s, this one 2.