It's been 75 years since the first of Enid Blyton's The Famous Five books released. Sohini Das Gupta picks out five jackets that capture their timeless frolic
Growing up, you dreamt of summer hols full of tongue sandwiches and adventures, clotted cream and caravans. Of still coastal nights, made breathless by secrets strewn across Kirrin Island, Demon's Rock or Smuggler's Top. You knew that the lashings of danger would taste as cool as ginger beer in the presence of your designated protector, whose only weakness, bless his mongrel heart, is chasing rabbits.
For this is the life that Enid Blyton's Famous Five — siblings Dick, Julian, Anne, cousin George(ina) and her beloved dog Timmy — lead through the 21 books that make up one of the most celebrated children's series of all times. But you know that already. You know it is their endless adolescence that's kept Uncle Quentin tied to his study, and Aunt Fanny, to her matronly resignation, through 21 glorious summers, unprotesting, unageing. Much like your love for Ju and gang, 75 years after Five on a Treasure Island was published in September 1942.
To mark the friendship, we bring you five stunning The Famous Five covers, conceived by illustrators in different decades. Jolly good, eh?
Five Go Down to the Sea, 1970, Knight. Cover by Betty Maxey
The cover is a mess of twilight hues, with white specks for a starry night, just perfect for the gang's twelfth adventure. You can only see the wind-swept silhouettes of the five, their heart-in-mouth anticipation your one reality. Maxey gets my vote for the sheer sense of mystery in this one.
Five on a Treasure Island, Longman's, 1977. Cover by Sheila Bewley
Honestly, when it comes to this book, it's a crime to not go with the iconic boat-rowing scene on the first edition, created by the godmother of Famous Five illustrations, Eileen Soper. But I'm willing to risk the guilt-trip simply because marvellous as Soper's depiction is, it's one we are all familiar with. Sheila Bewley's dreamy white rendition, on the other hand, is an aberration of the best kind. This is not what a Famous Five cover is supposed to look like—pristine, in repose! Yet, somehow, the jagged-moon walls of the Kirrin castle and the dark-green ivy creeping around the children convey the sense of freedom so integral to the series.
Five Go to Smuggler's Top, 1991, Knight. Cover uncredited
The animated postures of the five, the mist underplaying the brightness of the children's clothes, the stony hike lying ahead of them, the dirty gold title font on top — there is little not to like about the cover on this edition, except the anonymity of the artist.
Five On a Hike Together, 2001, Hodder and Stoughton. Cover by Richard Jones
Oh, the personal favourite in the series, after Five on a Treasure Island and Five Go off in a Caravan! Most 90-s kids grew up to the super-animated 2000 edition illustrations by Richard Jones. Throw in team George in action, with good old Tim baring fangs at invisible assailants. Does it get any better?
Five on a Treasure Island, 2015, Hodder and Stoughton. Cover by Quentin Blake
Same adventure, different chapter. This is probably the only version of Treasure Island that shows the five rowing out to Kirrin Island at night. And what a sea-blue night! Re-imagined into Gen Y-friendly simplicity by the inimitable Sir Quentin, whose illustrations of Roald Dahl books have enchanted children for years, this one has a shaggy Timothy leading at the deck. Just like he's supposed to.
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