Swallows and Amazons

I read the book to my two when they were quite young and before we had a camping holiday on the bank of Lake Coniston. They spent the entire holiday "playing" swallows and amazons in their boat. My two were clearly quite naive as daughter was indeed "titty"

We didn't go in the end - DGS chickened out - he is a bit of a worrier and likes routine.

There were 12 books in the series, all written in the '30s or '40s.

Deeda, it is a bit slow I agree. Loved the story though.

I tried the Virginia McKenna one on GS1 a couple of years ago and he pronounced it boring! No super heroes I'm afraid. (I loved it)

It's our bedtime book atm. The children love it but there were a few shocked sounds the first time they heard the name Titty lol.

You can watch the original here on Youtube. It's one of the classics now, a lot like CS Lewis's Narnia. It always makes me want to go back home.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8FQRQWx4yQ

The earlier film made in the mid seventies with Virginia Mckenna as Mrs. Walker is a lot more faithful to the book, but DGS definitely prefers the new one

I loved that series as a child, and it must have led to my love of the Lake District too.
I think they must have been in the local library, because it was difficult to buy books in those days.

The original story is lovely. I'm from the Lake District and I loved it as a child. Even if they have added to it, it will probably be just as good.

8 year old DGS really enjoyed it. Arthur Ransome groupies find it hard to swallow.

Sorry I couldn't be any more help but I suppose it depends on what sort of thing your DGS likes. Mine love "real" films with "real" people especially if the plot is set in the "olden days" which they love. some lovely scenery and steam trains etc. too.

This new version has just come out on DVD Luckygirl I bought it for them to watch at half term and they all really liked it. DGS is 7 and his sisters are 11 and 9 so it can be tricky to find films that appeal to them all. They did all enjoy watching it and have watched it again so that's a good sign. Mind you they are all very "outdoorsy" children and the film appealed to their sense of adventure, with DGD 2 asking if they could "get a rowing boat please grandma?" "to row in the sea" I don't think so ! The German spy bit is a touch naff but the children thoroughly enjoyed it . Some quite good people in it too.