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Noddy #1
Noddy Goes to Toyland
Running away from the wood carver, Noddy the woodman makes a new life for himself in Toyland.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
101 people are currently reading
1546 people want to read
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,134 books6,317 followersSee also:
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
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July 11, 2017
Do you remember the Noddy stories? Of course you do. But do you remember where Noddy came from? Or why he is called "Noddy"? Or why he seems to be only real little boy living in a town of toys? I didn't, so I thought it might be worth having another look at Noddy, and this first book, Noddy Goes to Toyland seemed a good place to start. Noddy actually made his debut as a serial of the first two books in a Sunday newspaper in 1949, but Noddy Goes to Toyland was published as the first Noddy book, later on in the year.
It has always intrigued me as an adult, why Noddy produces such extremes of reactions. Millions of young children love Noddy, and still clamour for stories about him — and adults equally complain about him as much as they ever did. Perhaps it is simply that Enid Blyton is so all-pervading. Certainly there was nothing to object to in this little book. I found the story to be imaginative and interesting, and quite surreal in places. (Surreal?? Noddy? Well ... yes! And there's nudity too I'm afraid, but ... oh you'll see!)
There were things that I couldn’t remember about Noddy, although I suppose I must once have known them many many years ago. Why was he called "Noddy" for a start? (His head is on a little spring, so it was an obvious name for him.) But Noddy Goes to Toyland, told me in eight chapters just enough to satify my first questions, and to make me want to read more.
It starts with Big-Ears the Brownie, a kind of dwarf-like creature with a tall pointed red hat and a long white beard. He is rushing through the woods on his bicycle, when he bumps into someone. Both of them are very surprised, and don't really know what to make of each other. Big-Ears can tell that this funny little fellow without any clothes on isn't a brownie. He says to Big-Ears that he's not a pixie or a goblin either, and is nodding all the time. When asked why, he says,
"Because I'm a little nodding man". (He's nothing if not logical.) "My head's balanced on my neck in such a way that I have to nod when I speak."
Big-Ears is bursting with questions, which the funny little person tries to answer.
"Where do you live?" asks Big-Ears.
"I belonged to Old Man Carver away in the woods, you know. He made me," is the reply.
"You've got funny eyes — and funny hair too," remarks Big-ears.
Noddy explains that his eyes are blue beads, and his hair is made out of bits of fur from Old Man Carver's cat's back. (The cat didn't mind, apparently, so that's all right.)
It turns out that Noddy has run away, because he's lonely. But Big-Ears says that because the little wooden man is not a brownie he can't live with him in his own town (there are obviously a lot of rules in this place) so he offers a lift on his bicycle to the station, so that he can catch a train to Toyland. And since he doesn't have a name, Big-Ears calls him "Noddy".
When they get to the station, Big-Ears decides he will go with Noddy on the train to Toyland. A lovely little train "made of brightly painted wood" arrives, full of passengers who all seem to be toys. In their carriage are two dolls, a wooden soldier and a pink cat. The dolls say helpfully that Noddy has forgotten to get dressed, but Noddy points out that he hasn't forgotten, as he has never had any clothes — so Big-Ears promises that they will get him some clothes in Toyland. The train rumbles along,
"its gay wooden carriages jollying behind it, full of toys and pixies and brownies"
and they go through Golliwog Town. There are lots of golliwogs going about their business, playing cricket in the park, walking the baby in a pram, cycling and driving and so on. There is even a statue of a noble "Golliwog I" in the town square. The train stops to let three golliwogs on, and they have a bit of a scuffle with the pink cat, who keeps getting her tail trodden on. Then the journey starts again, through Rocking-Horse Town and Clockwork-Mouse Town, where the clockwork mice are very careful not to get into the same carriage as the pink cat. (She gets off anyway, at the next station, which just happens to be Toy-Cat Town.)
Noddy, (who all along seems to have made very sensible and truthful observations) asks,
"Where do I get out? ... This is all Toyland isn't it? What station do I get out at? Is there a Nodding Man Station?"
Apparently though Big-Ears knows better and the two get out at Toy Village — and so ends the first chapter.
Toy village is full of lots of bustling crowds, and Noddy is feeling very self-conscious about not having any clothes to wear. A teddy bear with a blue ribbon points them towards the shops, and Big Ears explains to Noddy all about money, and how you have to work for it, and then exchange it for all the things you need. But shops are expensive, so it's off to the market where there are plenty of well-stocked stalls.
"I'm strong. I can work very hard. I'll be able to pay you back quite soon, dear Big-Ears",
says Noddy, as Big-Ears spots some lovely red shoes. Noddy is kitted out with blue trousers which are nice and wide at the bottom, plus a red shirt, a yellow belt, and a yellow tie (with red polka-dots) to match. Noddy now looks very smart, but Big Ears can't afford a coat for him, just a hat. Noddy is quite taken with a blue doll's bonnet, but Big-Ears laughs at him,
"You can't wear a bonnet; you're not a baby doll. Really, you don't know very much, Noddy."
So Big-Ears picks out a better hat for Noddy; a tall hat like his own but blue with a little bell right at the top.
Everything is looking good, but then a big toy policeman confronts Noddy, demanding to know whether he is a real toy. If he's not, then — shock, horror — he's not allowed to stay in Toy Village. Noddy is frightened. He thinks he's a toy, and knows he doesn't belong to the fairy folk. The policeman says that the only way to decide what Noddy is, will be to go before the Court for a ruling.
Big-Ears is not worried, feeling sure that the Court will rule in Noddy's favour, but Noddy still needs somewhere to live. They go in search of a house, and see lots of dolls houses of all types, and a toy farm, but all of them are already occupied. So why not build one themselves, out of toy bricks? They get a House-for-One from a great shed which contains plenty of bricks suitable for building houses, shops and even castles. Big-Ears tells the soldier on guard that he'll have to send them a bill because he hasn't got any money left, but that doesn't seem to matter.
They carry their House-for-One flat-pack to where there is a space between two other houses. Noddy comes out with another one of his sensible ideas, wanting to put the roof on first so that if it rains they won't get wet. Big-Ears explains why this is a silly idea — but then proceeds to build a wall himself forgetting to leave a space for the window. Noddy forgets to leave a space for the door — but eventually they get there. A neighbour, Mr. Tubby Bear, says he has a ladder and adds the chimneys for them, inviting them in for a cup of tea when it's all finished. They all have tea, and cake, and Noddy learns what a bath is. But he gets very upset when he remembers that he might not be allowed to stay in Toy Village after all.
In the next chapter, Noddy and Big-Ears walk through Toy Village and look at all the different sorts of houses and everybody getting on with their lives. They pass an impressive castle, and watch the soldiers doing drill in the castle grounds. Then they see a 'Noah's Ark', an enormous boat with a male and female of every species of animal and bird inside. Noddy doesn't know that though, and just wants to open the door to have a peek. Of course hordes of animals rush out and Mr. and Mrs. Noah have to chase them all back in again.
I'm not going to tell you the next bit, but it involves a lion and a little doll, and shows just how courageous Noddy really is.
The final chapter is called "Is Noddy a Toy, or Not?" and follows what happens when Noddy is finally up before a very stern judge. He needs all the help he can get, to establish the right to reside in his little house, which he already knows he loves dearly. And anyone who has read any Noddy books will know what the ending is.
There are quite a lot of things to learn from this book, about always speaking the truth, being loyal to your friends, helping others, being brave, personally responsible, working hard, only buying things you can afford ... (not to mention the useful tip that it isn't really a good idea to go running through the forest without any clothes on).
The pictures are a delight. The artist "Beek" (Harmsen Van Der Beek) who created all these early pictures has used mainly bright primary colours, which is what young children like. There are plenty of them too; one on every page, with whole-page illustrations in between.
Noddy in fact has origins in much older stories. Around 1800 E.T.A. Hoffman wrote "La Puppe", ("The Doll"), which was reworked again into Charles-Louis-Étienne Nuitter and Delibes' Ballet "Coppelia" about a wooden marionette which comes to life. There are probably others too, but Carlo Collodi's "Pinocchio" of 1883 is perhaps the clearest earlier parallel of a little wooden boy with a heart.
This is such an imaginative, well constructed and gently humorous story that it is tempting to give it 5 stars. I love the fantasy element, but have to confess to being slightly worried about the blue-pencilling between different stations and villages. Is this ghetto-ising? Why do the clockwork mice have to have their own town? Or the golliwogs (which is the one everyone concentrates on, of course)? Why do they not count as "toys" too? And why is Noddy allowed to stay there, since clearly he is self-aware and not simply a toy either? Psychologists, sociologists and philosophers alike would have a field day with Noddy. To what extent are any of these toys conscious, for instance?
The tone is chatty, and could be deemed twee, which is perhaps also part of what adults do not like. But all these points aside, the story is charming, and the sort which can be picked up again and again to be enjoyed. It is comfort reading of the best sort, guaranteed to put a smile on a child's face. If they are ill, fed up, or just feeling sorry for themselves, they might well turn to Noddy. Children may not be stretched by Noddy; he is not "amazing" enough to rate 5 stars here perhaps. Nevertheless he is perennially popular, never dating with generation after generation and Noddy Goes to Toyland intrigues and entertains me enough to rate it four stars.
I once heard a question in a popular television quiz game, "What colour is Noddy's hat?" The knowledgeable (but rather nerdy) regular contestant was puzzled. I do wonder how he would have fared with, "In which book does Noddy appear starkers?"
But we know, children, don't we?
It has always intrigued me as an adult, why Noddy produces such extremes of reactions. Millions of young children love Noddy, and still clamour for stories about him — and adults equally complain about him as much as they ever did. Perhaps it is simply that Enid Blyton is so all-pervading. Certainly there was nothing to object to in this little book. I found the story to be imaginative and interesting, and quite surreal in places. (Surreal?? Noddy? Well ... yes! And there's nudity too I'm afraid, but ... oh you'll see!)
There were things that I couldn’t remember about Noddy, although I suppose I must once have known them many many years ago. Why was he called "Noddy" for a start? (His head is on a little spring, so it was an obvious name for him.) But Noddy Goes to Toyland, told me in eight chapters just enough to satify my first questions, and to make me want to read more.
It starts with Big-Ears the Brownie, a kind of dwarf-like creature with a tall pointed red hat and a long white beard. He is rushing through the woods on his bicycle, when he bumps into someone. Both of them are very surprised, and don't really know what to make of each other. Big-Ears can tell that this funny little fellow without any clothes on isn't a brownie. He says to Big-Ears that he's not a pixie or a goblin either, and is nodding all the time. When asked why, he says,
"Because I'm a little nodding man". (He's nothing if not logical.) "My head's balanced on my neck in such a way that I have to nod when I speak."
Big-Ears is bursting with questions, which the funny little person tries to answer.
"Where do you live?" asks Big-Ears.
"I belonged to Old Man Carver away in the woods, you know. He made me," is the reply.
"You've got funny eyes — and funny hair too," remarks Big-ears.
Noddy explains that his eyes are blue beads, and his hair is made out of bits of fur from Old Man Carver's cat's back. (The cat didn't mind, apparently, so that's all right.)
It turns out that Noddy has run away, because he's lonely. But Big-Ears says that because the little wooden man is not a brownie he can't live with him in his own town (there are obviously a lot of rules in this place) so he offers a lift on his bicycle to the station, so that he can catch a train to Toyland. And since he doesn't have a name, Big-Ears calls him "Noddy".
When they get to the station, Big-Ears decides he will go with Noddy on the train to Toyland. A lovely little train "made of brightly painted wood" arrives, full of passengers who all seem to be toys. In their carriage are two dolls, a wooden soldier and a pink cat. The dolls say helpfully that Noddy has forgotten to get dressed, but Noddy points out that he hasn't forgotten, as he has never had any clothes — so Big-Ears promises that they will get him some clothes in Toyland. The train rumbles along,
"its gay wooden carriages jollying behind it, full of toys and pixies and brownies"
and they go through Golliwog Town. There are lots of golliwogs going about their business, playing cricket in the park, walking the baby in a pram, cycling and driving and so on. There is even a statue of a noble "Golliwog I" in the town square. The train stops to let three golliwogs on, and they have a bit of a scuffle with the pink cat, who keeps getting her tail trodden on. Then the journey starts again, through Rocking-Horse Town and Clockwork-Mouse Town, where the clockwork mice are very careful not to get into the same carriage as the pink cat. (She gets off anyway, at the next station, which just happens to be Toy-Cat Town.)
Noddy, (who all along seems to have made very sensible and truthful observations) asks,
"Where do I get out? ... This is all Toyland isn't it? What station do I get out at? Is there a Nodding Man Station?"
Apparently though Big-Ears knows better and the two get out at Toy Village — and so ends the first chapter.
Toy village is full of lots of bustling crowds, and Noddy is feeling very self-conscious about not having any clothes to wear. A teddy bear with a blue ribbon points them towards the shops, and Big Ears explains to Noddy all about money, and how you have to work for it, and then exchange it for all the things you need. But shops are expensive, so it's off to the market where there are plenty of well-stocked stalls.
"I'm strong. I can work very hard. I'll be able to pay you back quite soon, dear Big-Ears",
says Noddy, as Big-Ears spots some lovely red shoes. Noddy is kitted out with blue trousers which are nice and wide at the bottom, plus a red shirt, a yellow belt, and a yellow tie (with red polka-dots) to match. Noddy now looks very smart, but Big Ears can't afford a coat for him, just a hat. Noddy is quite taken with a blue doll's bonnet, but Big-Ears laughs at him,
"You can't wear a bonnet; you're not a baby doll. Really, you don't know very much, Noddy."
So Big-Ears picks out a better hat for Noddy; a tall hat like his own but blue with a little bell right at the top.
Everything is looking good, but then a big toy policeman confronts Noddy, demanding to know whether he is a real toy. If he's not, then — shock, horror — he's not allowed to stay in Toy Village. Noddy is frightened. He thinks he's a toy, and knows he doesn't belong to the fairy folk. The policeman says that the only way to decide what Noddy is, will be to go before the Court for a ruling.
Big-Ears is not worried, feeling sure that the Court will rule in Noddy's favour, but Noddy still needs somewhere to live. They go in search of a house, and see lots of dolls houses of all types, and a toy farm, but all of them are already occupied. So why not build one themselves, out of toy bricks? They get a House-for-One from a great shed which contains plenty of bricks suitable for building houses, shops and even castles. Big-Ears tells the soldier on guard that he'll have to send them a bill because he hasn't got any money left, but that doesn't seem to matter.
They carry their House-for-One flat-pack to where there is a space between two other houses. Noddy comes out with another one of his sensible ideas, wanting to put the roof on first so that if it rains they won't get wet. Big-Ears explains why this is a silly idea — but then proceeds to build a wall himself forgetting to leave a space for the window. Noddy forgets to leave a space for the door — but eventually they get there. A neighbour, Mr. Tubby Bear, says he has a ladder and adds the chimneys for them, inviting them in for a cup of tea when it's all finished. They all have tea, and cake, and Noddy learns what a bath is. But he gets very upset when he remembers that he might not be allowed to stay in Toy Village after all.
In the next chapter, Noddy and Big-Ears walk through Toy Village and look at all the different sorts of houses and everybody getting on with their lives. They pass an impressive castle, and watch the soldiers doing drill in the castle grounds. Then they see a 'Noah's Ark', an enormous boat with a male and female of every species of animal and bird inside. Noddy doesn't know that though, and just wants to open the door to have a peek. Of course hordes of animals rush out and Mr. and Mrs. Noah have to chase them all back in again.
I'm not going to tell you the next bit, but it involves a lion and a little doll, and shows just how courageous Noddy really is.
The final chapter is called "Is Noddy a Toy, or Not?" and follows what happens when Noddy is finally up before a very stern judge. He needs all the help he can get, to establish the right to reside in his little house, which he already knows he loves dearly. And anyone who has read any Noddy books will know what the ending is.
There are quite a lot of things to learn from this book, about always speaking the truth, being loyal to your friends, helping others, being brave, personally responsible, working hard, only buying things you can afford ... (not to mention the useful tip that it isn't really a good idea to go running through the forest without any clothes on).
The pictures are a delight. The artist "Beek" (Harmsen Van Der Beek) who created all these early pictures has used mainly bright primary colours, which is what young children like. There are plenty of them too; one on every page, with whole-page illustrations in between.
Noddy in fact has origins in much older stories. Around 1800 E.T.A. Hoffman wrote "La Puppe", ("The Doll"), which was reworked again into Charles-Louis-Étienne Nuitter and Delibes' Ballet "Coppelia" about a wooden marionette which comes to life. There are probably others too, but Carlo Collodi's "Pinocchio" of 1883 is perhaps the clearest earlier parallel of a little wooden boy with a heart.
This is such an imaginative, well constructed and gently humorous story that it is tempting to give it 5 stars. I love the fantasy element, but have to confess to being slightly worried about the blue-pencilling between different stations and villages. Is this ghetto-ising? Why do the clockwork mice have to have their own town? Or the golliwogs (which is the one everyone concentrates on, of course)? Why do they not count as "toys" too? And why is Noddy allowed to stay there, since clearly he is self-aware and not simply a toy either? Psychologists, sociologists and philosophers alike would have a field day with Noddy. To what extent are any of these toys conscious, for instance?
The tone is chatty, and could be deemed twee, which is perhaps also part of what adults do not like. But all these points aside, the story is charming, and the sort which can be picked up again and again to be enjoyed. It is comfort reading of the best sort, guaranteed to put a smile on a child's face. If they are ill, fed up, or just feeling sorry for themselves, they might well turn to Noddy. Children may not be stretched by Noddy; he is not "amazing" enough to rate 5 stars here perhaps. Nevertheless he is perennially popular, never dating with generation after generation and Noddy Goes to Toyland intrigues and entertains me enough to rate it four stars.
I once heard a question in a popular television quiz game, "What colour is Noddy's hat?" The knowledgeable (but rather nerdy) regular contestant was puzzled. I do wonder how he would have fared with, "In which book does Noddy appear starkers?"
But we know, children, don't we?
August 28, 2021
Year of New Authors
A refugee from an oppressive regime flees to an unknown land. When a friendly local takes him under his wing, he's taught the ways of this new country and offered financial assistance. All is going well as our little hero makes friends and even builds a home, but the law becomes involved, threatening to tear away his safety and new life. Facing asylum court, will the Judge be unwilling to overlook his physical differences, or will they grade him on the worthiness of his character? For kids!
Any gammons still reading this? Here, I'll make you arseholes feel better: in the original edition I read, there is a segregated town filled with the controversial Golliwog toys, those things that made you bellow that the 'PC brigade' had taken over when they were taken off marmalade jars in the early 2000s. Happy now? Well, on page 21 there's also a picture of one in a mixed relationship, living in the multi-cultural Toy Village, pictured right (right is the hand you cup round your mouth when booing footballers, the left is probably spilling your Stella):
Ok, now they've gone, good. This is my first Enid Blyton, despite being a fully grown man. While I obviously knew of Noddy (and its nightmarish animations from my youth), anything I heard of Blyton was usually about the modern discomfort surrounding her early works and their ensuing editing, such as Big Ears becoming Big Beard at some point, and the Golliwog toys being replaced with goblins when they're being mean, or black baby dolls in newer cartoons.
Knowing all that, I was expecting the painfully uncomfortable worst when I opened this older version of the story, and I found it to be utterly... Kind of alright?
My synopsis might be over dramatic, but it is accurate to the plot, including the 'asylum court' scene, and it's a nice tale of someone being taken in and accepted for what they do, rather than what they look like. The story itself is harmless, even progressive if you want to read it that way, it's just the questionable toys that raise an issue for a modern audience. Blyton at the very least presents the 'Gollies' in the most neutral way possible, as just another of the many types of toys living their lives (the clockwork mice also have their own segregated town, for instance), and not as inherently evil things as I thought she'd presented them (though I heard that's subject to change in her later books, which I will be unlikely to read, because this is Noddy and, again, I'm a grown man, I only read this for my year of new authors). Regardless, I think absolutely nothing is lost to the story in replacing them with a better toy for modern child readers, both because they were a horrible stereotype and children nowadays would have no idea what the hell they are (thankfully), so any kick back on the new edits seems very bizarre to me.
Another product of a glad-to-have gone age, and simutaneously a lovely example of championing refugees. Hmm.
A refugee from an oppressive regime flees to an unknown land. When a friendly local takes him under his wing, he's taught the ways of this new country and offered financial assistance. All is going well as our little hero makes friends and even builds a home, but the law becomes involved, threatening to tear away his safety and new life. Facing asylum court, will the Judge be unwilling to overlook his physical differences, or will they grade him on the worthiness of his character? For kids!
Any gammons still reading this? Here, I'll make you arseholes feel better: in the original edition I read, there is a segregated town filled with the controversial Golliwog toys, those things that made you bellow that the 'PC brigade' had taken over when they were taken off marmalade jars in the early 2000s. Happy now? Well, on page 21 there's also a picture of one in a mixed relationship, living in the multi-cultural Toy Village, pictured right (right is the hand you cup round your mouth when booing footballers, the left is probably spilling your Stella):
Ok, now they've gone, good. This is my first Enid Blyton, despite being a fully grown man. While I obviously knew of Noddy (and its nightmarish animations from my youth), anything I heard of Blyton was usually about the modern discomfort surrounding her early works and their ensuing editing, such as Big Ears becoming Big Beard at some point, and the Golliwog toys being replaced with goblins when they're being mean, or black baby dolls in newer cartoons.
Knowing all that, I was expecting the painfully uncomfortable worst when I opened this older version of the story, and I found it to be utterly... Kind of alright?
My synopsis might be over dramatic, but it is accurate to the plot, including the 'asylum court' scene, and it's a nice tale of someone being taken in and accepted for what they do, rather than what they look like. The story itself is harmless, even progressive if you want to read it that way, it's just the questionable toys that raise an issue for a modern audience. Blyton at the very least presents the 'Gollies' in the most neutral way possible, as just another of the many types of toys living their lives (the clockwork mice also have their own segregated town, for instance), and not as inherently evil things as I thought she'd presented them (though I heard that's subject to change in her later books, which I will be unlikely to read, because this is Noddy and, again, I'm a grown man, I only read this for my year of new authors). Regardless, I think absolutely nothing is lost to the story in replacing them with a better toy for modern child readers, both because they were a horrible stereotype and children nowadays would have no idea what the hell they are (thankfully), so any kick back on the new edits seems very bizarre to me.
Another product of a glad-to-have gone age, and simutaneously a lovely example of championing refugees. Hmm.
March 7, 2018
Stumbling upon Noddy gives a nostalgic feeling. Enid Blyton has created magic and memories here.
Recommended for children.
Recommended for children.
July 27, 2023
A mix of pure nostalgia, an absent husband, crazy rainy weather, and an intense longing to experience my dad's love again, I
had
to read a Noddy book! It brings me back to my childhood and hence, closer to dad!
Noddy Goes to Toyland is the first Noddy book. Noddy runs away and meets Big Ears, who takes him to Toyland. Being a brownie himself, he cannot take him to Brownieland. But the court must first determine whether Noddy is a toy before he can take up permanent residency in Toyland. Does he pass the citizenship test?
Apart from the nostalgia factor, I quite enjoyed this minor foray into childhood. Noddy is named so because his head keeps bobbing up and down. Noddy stories are today considered outdated and racist but I am surprised that nobody over the decades bothered at all about Noddy running around stark naked throughout Toyland! And then the fashion faux pas of red shoes, bright blue trousers, red shirt, and yellow tie. It's psychedelic Noddy!
Noddy Goes to Toyland is the first Noddy book. Noddy runs away and meets Big Ears, who takes him to Toyland. Being a brownie himself, he cannot take him to Brownieland. But the court must first determine whether Noddy is a toy before he can take up permanent residency in Toyland. Does he pass the citizenship test?
Apart from the nostalgia factor, I quite enjoyed this minor foray into childhood. Noddy is named so because his head keeps bobbing up and down. Noddy stories are today considered outdated and racist but I am surprised that nobody over the decades bothered at all about Noddy running around stark naked throughout Toyland! And then the fashion faux pas of red shoes, bright blue trousers, red shirt, and yellow tie. It's psychedelic Noddy!
November 11, 2015
More interesting than expected, i think noddy is actually a bobblehead doll. The story is kinda racist and there are golliwogs so... yeah there's that. On the other hand there are pictures of a golliwog holding hands with a little white doll so maybe it was quite progressive for the times, or i'm just reading too much into it ;) .
November 16, 2017
Pure nostalgia. If you have children and you stumble across this book I think they will enjoy.
November 19, 2021
When I was little I loved Noddy so I thought I would try it now as an adult and I was still charmed by the story. I know Noddy and Enid Blyton got a bad rap for as one article I saw said "Blyton's work has been criticized during her lifetime and after for its racism, xenophobia and lack of literary merit. ... " and I totally don't agree or approve of the way she talks about black golliwogs but I think the writing and story lines for the most part are great and in this one I think the story line was about being accepted, helping each other out and admitting when you mess up. All morals and good things that we should be teaching children.
July 5, 2018
As sweet as ever. Noddy was the first book I ever held in my hands and devoured. I guess, I was around 4, then. Decades later, I was overcome with the same felicity, on flipping through the pages of this one. Such adorable illustrations and cute storyline.
January 10, 2020
I love the series, and cant believe they were banned.
December 30, 2024
My sister had the Noddy series as a child and I know I read them too but I didn't remember much. I recently read this one to my daughter (just turned 3) and was amazed that we got through all of it in one day - we haven't read such a long book before. Anyway, I enjoyed it well enough. It was interesting to (re-) learn where Noddy came from and how he got his name. It's a cute story with themes of belonging and being judged on your actions rather than appearance or origin. I read the 2008 edition and there's nothing particularly objectionable in it - Big Ears is still Big Ears but the Golliwogs have been replaced with toy monkeys. If my daughter continues to show an interest I may get her the next book in the series.
November 20, 2018
Noddy takes off from a wood carver ala Pinocchio I guess but for Noddy things are different. He does run around starkus for a while before getting some clothes and assistance along his road to being a respectable member of society in Toyland - the first of the Noddy books which I'm sure I read as a child, but it was interesting to read now with a different view. Another plonker of a cop though, with the name Plod it is no wonder they didn't like Blyton much.
January 8, 2018
Oh!
What a fun reading.
The innocence and the purity of the content reminds me of those times of my childhood, where there was no hatred, ego, evil thoughts, etc.
Childhood was the only essence of life , when my heart was pure and my mind was mine alone.
Though, this phase is short lived, comic books like this one will make your heart young and you will re-live this period.
What a fun reading.
The innocence and the purity of the content reminds me of those times of my childhood, where there was no hatred, ego, evil thoughts, etc.
Childhood was the only essence of life , when my heart was pure and my mind was mine alone.
Though, this phase is short lived, comic books like this one will make your heart young and you will re-live this period.
November 7, 2020
Very much of its time, but my five year old was mesmerised. I had also forgotten that some of it was ahead of its time with the appearance of a female judge despite it being written during a time in Britain where a middle class woman's place was in the home
June 8, 2021
Got a bunch of children books to practice french as the ones that people have borrowed me are still too far ahead for me.
This book is okay. You can tell it was written a lifetime ago as it has an innocence that doesn't exist anymore
This book is okay. You can tell it was written a lifetime ago as it has an innocence that doesn't exist anymore
June 29, 2018
Children love every bit of this book. Artwork is great
March 26, 2019
They built Noddy's house out of little blocks. It was quite beautiful.
May 3, 2020
Interesting. Just loved it.
May 18, 2020
In all the years I’ve been a Noddy fan, I never read about how Noddy came about to be in Toyland. I quite enjoyed reading this one to the kids.
August 23, 2020
Enjoyable.
November 29, 2020
Book with quite an ingenuity. Wooden toys are going to be back in rage and Noddy will be famous again. Nice book for 4-5 year olds
July 18, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous! So lovely to go back to the books of our childhood. This is a sweet little story that makes my inner child very happy.
September 29, 2021
This is such a cute little book! I used to love it!
January 28, 2022
Noddy is a very funny fellow. He made me laugh till my belly hurt! But still, I finished this in a day. Short but interesting🙂
November 9, 2023
An excellent series for toddlers (5+) with many lessons about real life and building good habits!
May 19, 2025
I like that
July 29, 2025
I remember watching several different adaptations of the TV show when I was a kid. So I decided to try out the book series. Great start and beautiful illustrations. Looking forward to reading more.
March 29, 2021
My son became obsessed with the new Noddy on Netflix so when I saw the old books in a car boot sale a couple of years ago I knew I had to get them. He is at the age now where he will fully immerse himself in a story and will happily sit there and listen for a long time.
He enjoyed this story and learning how Noddy came to be and I enjoyed reading it to him. The colourful illustrations gave us plenty of talking points and we're both excited to see what adventures Noddy and Big Ears have on the next book.
He enjoyed this story and learning how Noddy came to be and I enjoyed reading it to him. The colourful illustrations gave us plenty of talking points and we're both excited to see what adventures Noddy and Big Ears have on the next book.
September 8, 2023
Such a lovely book! I didn't remember how Noddy got his name but I loved re-reading this.
Read
January 29, 2017Tells the story of a strange person - a wooden nodding man - and his descent into Toyland, after detailing his creation at Old Man Carver's place (he has blue eyes because that's where two bores were holed into his head and stuffed with blue beads; his hair is that of a cat's fur, which gave permission and willingly donated). His head is balanced in such a way that he must nod when he speaks. They decided to get him settled in and plan a trip to Toyland by boarding a train, which is colorful, having a red engine, blue funnel, and yellow wheels. They pass by all the other toy towns there such as Monkey Town or Clockwork Mouse Town, just to give the reader a hint of what to expect. This is where they go shopping for clothes so Noddy doesn't have to walk around naked and build his House-For-One, with a little help from neighbors. But before too much fun can begin Noddy gets his first court date, to decide whether he is a toy or not, and things are looking grim. This books adventure begins when all the animals from Noah's Ark are let out the gate and the male lion refuses to return. Through some confusion (the lion wasn't actually going to hurt the girl doll) Noddy makes the lion return back to Ark after throwing his shoes at him, and performs a good deed which can be used as testimony at the trial. Noddy is deemed a toy, meaning he can stay at Toyland, and the first thing he aims to do is pay his friend back for helping him out by working hard enough. Heaps of adventures are planned.
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