If you’ve ever fancied taking a spin in Noddy’s car around Toyland, get along to an exciting new exhibition celebrating the work of children’s author Enid Blyton. Jo Roberts reports.

There can’t be many people over a certain age who haven’t read an Enid Blyton book.

A new exhibition exploring the life and times of Enid Blyton is going to bring many childhoods back to life and allow people to share the excitement and imagination her books sparked with their own children and grandchildren.

Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Many Adventures of Enid Blyton starts at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury this weekend, with a lifesize model of Noddy’s car forming the centrepiece, against a backdrop of Toyland.

Other treasures on display in this colourful and interactive wonderland of an exhibition include Blyton’s original hand-corrected typescripts of Five have Plenty of Fun (1954) and Cheer Up, Little Noddy (1960) among others. There are also personal and nature diaries spanning the 1920s, 1930s and 1960s, Harmsen van der Beek’s first Noddy illustration (1949), personal family photographs going back to Blyton’s own childhood and her famous typewriter.

Many of the exhibits are on public display for the first time, revealing Blyton’s creativity and the events that shaped her life and storytelling.

“The stories really do hold such a special place in so many people’s hearts and this exhibition will really bring those stories to life as well as give us an insight into the person behind them,” said Mitch Robertson, head of collections at the Beaney.

“I really loved the Famous Five characters and the adventures they went on and I especially loved Timmy the dog, he was so loyal and affectionate.”

There’s an embarrassment of riches to choose from, but Mitch knows what the highlight is for her.

“It’s very hard to choose just one thing when there is so much to see and do in the exhibition, but if I had to choose it would be Enid’s typewriter. It’s wonderful to imagine her furiously typing away with it perched on her knee. She was very hardworking and often wrote 10,000 words a day!

“We have received a lot of interest from people both young and old. It’s a very interactive exhibition so will appeal to our younger visitors. There really is something for everyone.”

EXTRA TIME Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton was born in 1897 in East Dulwich. Soon after the family moved to a semi-detached villa in Beckenham, then a Kent village.

Her first book, Child Whispers, a 24-page collection of poems, was published in 1922.

She is best remembered today for her Noddy, Famous Five and Secret Seven series.

Enid Blyton books have been among the world’s bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600m.

In 2008, Enid Blyton was voted the UK’s best loved writer, beating JK Rowling, Jane Austen and even Shakespeare.

SPARKING DEBATE

The Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts exhibition is likely to rekindle debate among commentators about Blyton’s work and its relevance for children today. Blyton’s fiercest critics have condemned her writing, citing snobbery, racial bigotry and pure escapism.

Kate Edwards of Seven Stories defended the author’s contribution, saying: “It’s impossible to celebrate Britain’s literary heritage for children without including our most successful author, Enid Blyton. She was a prolific writer with a lively imagination and a remarkable gift for connecting with children.”

At the height of her 40 year career, from 1951 to 1954, she produced 192 books – an average of one a week. Blyton’s books, which were often serialised, captivated children in the same way that Harry Potter has in recent times. Always keen to speak directly to her young readers, the author responded to this adoration by setting up the Famous Five Club and the Enid Blyton magazine.

SEVEN STORIES

The National Centre for Children’s Books, called Seven Stories, raised funds to buy a large collection of Blyton typescripts and rare artefacts, fulfilling its mission to save and protect Britain’s literary heritage for children.

Mitch Robertson of the Beaney said: “Seven Stories are custodians of the only collection in the world dedicated to telling the story of British children’s literature from the 1930s to the present day. This exhibition was shown at Seven Stories in Newcastle and we are very lucky to be the first venue of the tour.

“We really wanted to have the exhibition because it is primarily aimed at families and has themes common to the essence of the Beaney – art, imagery, stories, people, words, books. It’s really approachable and fun but still offers intellectual challenge and a memorable experience.”

Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Many Adventures of Enid Blyton is at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury from Saturday, January 31, until Sunday, April 19. Instead of charging admission the Beaney asks visitors to pay what they can to fund future exhibitions. More details at www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney or by calling 01227 862162.