SOLVED. Childen's: Girl and a swing in a garden with a wall with no door and a boy on the other side. [s]

[Random]

My mother remembers being read this book as a child so we're looking at a time frame of late 40s or early 50s.

It was a short book, something a child could easily read in one sitting. My memory is pretty vague. I remember a girl in a garden and there was a swing. The garden wall had no door and there was a boy (I think) on the other side. There was no door in the wall and so they could only see each other when she would swing high.

Eventually the families put a door in the wall so the children could play with each other.

I wish I could remember more, but its been so many years.

[Random]

Bump - Almost forgot about this query. Didn't realize it had been so long ago.

The only other detail I can remember is that it did have illustrations. It was not a picture book, however.

[Ashley]

Kind of vaguely reminds me of the magician's nephew, but I think they were meeting through connected attics? *bites lip at my inability to remember anything*

[Random]

It's not that. This was a much shorter and simplistic book. There were also no fantastical elements at all.

Thanks for the try though.

[Madison]

Could you be talking about The Secret Garden? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secr...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

The Secret Garden definitely could not be read by a child in one sitting. Also there is no swing involved.

[Yinzadi]

I thought of the Secret Garden too. There was a swing in one of the movie adaptations, which is what brought it to mind. Any chance it could have been an abridgment or adaptation of the story for younger children?

Was this a picture book, or a short storybook?

[Random]

Its definitely not the Secret Garden (I read it every spring), but its an understandable suggestion.

Back in the early 80s when I was a kid, my mother told me about this book. It had been read to her as a child and she loved it. We eventually went to the library to see if we could find it. She talked to a librarian who instantly recognized that she had mixed up this book and The Secret Garden. We checked out both and I remember we read the first one quickly (I doubt it could have taken over an hour, likely less time) and then went on to read The Secret Garden over the course of a week (a few chapters every night).

I'd really love to find it, but it was short enough and we only read it once before we returned it to the library, so my memory is very vague.

I am very positive about the swing and the two children unable to play because of the wall that separated them from one another. And that at the end a door was put into the wall so they could.

It wasn't a picture book, though I remember illustrations. It wasn't a book of short stories. I have the impression that it was likely geared towards the younger end of grade school (for children who were starting to get comfortable reading on their own). I do know that I could have easily read the book on my own (I was 3rd or 4th grade at the time). This may not be extremely helpful since I was reading Stephen King by 5th grade so my concept of reading age appropriate is somewhat skewed. :) I don't believe it was a chapter book.

I have fond memories of that week. My father was out of town for work and my brothers were gone for some reason so it was just the two of us. We'd curl up on the couch in the evening and I'd listen to her read. Over three decades later we both still read The Secret Garden every spring and talk about it. It would be nice if I could include this other book as well. I wish I could remember more about it.

I keep bugging my mom about it, but she has no memories of it at all anymore.

[Random]

Ugh, could I have used the word 'it' more often? That's what I get for writing before I have had caffeine.

I did have one thought. While I mentioned the word garden in my first post, this might be deceptive. It is more with the British use of the word which most Americans would substitute with yard.

I can't say for sure if the book is of British origin, or even for sure if the word garden was used. That's what I remember, but that memory might be faulty.

[Sheila]

Maybe An Episode of Sparrows? It doesn't sound quite right, but there's a garden!

[Random]

No, nothing in the description sounds familiar. I don't remember there being any other children involved (though I can't say that 100%) and I don't remember there being much involved beyond the immediate environment.

Thanks for trying though. :)

[Random]

Bump

[Michelle]

Could it be Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce? The description on Goodreads doesn't sound right, but the one in Chapters.ca sounds promising. It doesn't mention a swing, but there is a girl and boy, a secret garden, and a grandfather clock. Does this sound familiar?

[Michelle]

I also found Rainbow Garden, by Patricia St. John - about a girl who discovers a little secret garden. There isn't much info in the description, so not sure if its a fit, but figured I'd throw it out there.

[Michelle]

Sorry, not sure how old either of those titles is. I'm on my phone and the mobile browser doesn't give me a copyright year.

[Random]

Neither are it, but thanks for trying. I believe the book I'm looking for was a lot more simplistic. It wasn't a very complex plot.

[Cheryl]

Rainbow Garden
Tom's Midnight Garden
for the links, in case someone else is looking. :)

[Kris]

Could it be "Swing Me, Swing Tree" by Marcia Bliss Marks, perhaps? http://www.amazon.com/Swing-Tree-Marc...

[Random]

I'm unsure but I don't think so. I managed to find a vague review that mentioned events that I don't remember and didn't mention anything that I do remember.

It does seem to be around the right type of book though. Simple and short.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Random, are you still looking for this book?

[Random]

I had forgotten about this post again.

I am still looking but have run out of ideas on what to add or keywords to search for.

[Cheryl]

just bumping does help - put us on your calendar ;)

Here's a bump for summer - come back in a couple of months to give it another one, ok?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Still looking?

[Random]

That's a difficult question. I'd still like to find the book, but I'm loosing hope that I'll find it.

Meant to bump the thread, but life has seriously gotten in the way these last couple of years. One crisis after another type of thing.

[Random]

Bump

And I actually remembered on my own this time. :)

[Mir]

Random wrote: "Meant to bump the thread, but life has seriously gotten in the way these last couple of years...."

Sorry to hear. Seems to be that way for many people lately...

This books does sound a bit familiar although I don't remember much. About the reading level of Betsy-Tacy or even simpler.

[Random]

Looking at the description, likely around a similar reading level if maybe a wee simpler and not as long.

[Janet]

Just a vague idea but wonder if it is The Magic Garden by Gene Stratton Porter

[Kris]

The Magic Garden by Gene Stratton-Porter - Janet's suggestion

[Random]

Thanks for the suggestion, but it doesn't look like it. These were young children, well before a romance theme would be involved. Definitely children and not YA.

[Random]

I have allowed this thread to go for too long without bumping.

My mother died early Saturday morning and it reminded me that I still haven't figured out what this book is and now I will never be able to get any more details from her.

I know the chances of finding it are slim and I can't remember any more details, but the subject has renewed importance to me and I would be so happy if I could identify it,

[Pixiegirl105]

I know the story you're talking about. I can't think of the title either but I'll see if my family remembers. :)

Sorry for your loss!!

[Random]

Oh it would be so wonderful if you could. I leave for my mom's wake in about 10 minutes. I will be giving her eulogy tomorrow and I one of the things I will mention is she and I reading books together.

[Pixiegirl105]

I looked for hours and asked my family. They couldn't tell me the name of the book or author. I'm sorry! If I run across it, I will let you know!!!

[Ayshe]

A Wall Around My Yard maybe?
The "Bulletin of the center for children's books" review is:
"A book with cartoon-style illustrations, rhyming text, and a message. A small girl, swinging high near her garden wall, is told by a small boy on the other side of the wall that she had best beware; he might throw things. Timorous, she swings only when the boy is not in sight; one day, her mother backs their car immovably into the wall. The boy's mother gives aid and comfort and, via boy-messenger, the eggs that had been on the grocery list. The two children play, discovering that they can be friends."
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitst...

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

[Random]

Wow, if that's not it, it's very close.

I don't remember the part about the car and I thought the date would have been older. But the length and style seem right on the mark and parts of the description sound familiar.

I'll try to hunt it down and see if I can determine one way or another once I return home.

[Random]

Found a used copy for sale. I'm ordering it now. I'll be back to report once it shows up.

[Mir]

Fingers crossed!

[Random]

A Wall Around My Yard is indeed the book I was looking for.

I still can't remember anything about the car, but the rest is right on with what I remember.

Thanks to Ayshe for finding the answer, and Pixiegirl for giving me hopes that an answer might be found soon, and everyone else for their time and suggestions. I really do appreciate it.

And for those who despair that their book may never be found, I created this thread 7 years ago. :)