SOLVED. Short Children’s novel in a similar style to Enid Blyton. A brother and sister live with their unkind aunt until they discover a hollow tree to live in and run away. [s]

[Ellie]

All I remember about this book is that these children lived with their horrible aunt. They had one female friend who went to school with them, who lent them the money to go to the seaside for their class trip, and she was the only one that knew where they had run away to. They lived in the tree for a while until they were discovered, and I believe they ended up living with this girl and her family. It was in quite an old-fashioned style (so I fancy it was probably written pre-70s, although I read it 2005-2009. It was from a second hand boon store) and quite a short novel. Any ideas? Been looking for years for this one

[Becca]

Was it fantasy or realistic? Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest by Matt Haig, possibly, if there are fantasy elements?

[Angela]

It's called Hollow Tree House by Enid Blyton. Their friend is called Angela and they make little baskets of wild strawberries to sell. It was one of my favourite books growing up.

[Kris]

Hollow Tree House (also: "The Riddle of the Holiday Tree" / "The Young Adventurers and The Holiday Tree") by Enid Blyton - Angela's suggestion - sounds like your book.

Google Books preview:
https://books.google.com/books?id=Sm1... There are different cover images.

Quotes from the book:
- 'If we don't take the money tomorrow, our teacher won't buy a ticket for us - and we shan't be able to go. We're the only ones who haven't taken the money yet.'
- Then he told her about the two pounds they had to take to school the next day, if they wanted to go to the seaside.
- 'We'll just say we earned the money ourselves. That's quite true.' They were very silent as the train sped homewards. It was horrid to be going home to someone they were so afraid of. 'I'll give Aunt Margaret some of my shells,' said ...
- 'Well, one day the two children ran away from their horrid aunt, and went to live in the tree-house together, and the other little girl brought them food. ...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Can you give us an update on your other thread here?

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ellie]

Thank you yes, that’s the one! Now to hunt down a copy