Monday 31 March 2008

Mollie Clarke books ... Such childhood gems!

Mollie Clarke

A gem of a book is this!!
Published in 1953!



Published in my favourite place! ;-)
Wheaton had been in Exeter for many many years.
It once had a shop in Fore Street Exeter
Before that, I believe there were premises in High Street.It also had a factory on the Marsh Barton Estate, Exeter.
Here are some snippets from that great site, Exeter Memories:
Sadly, Wheaton was eventually swallowed up by some larger concern.
Years ago, I used to frequent the Fore Street shop as it was brilliant for educational publications.
And it was Wheaton that published many of Mollie Clarke's charming books.


Mollie Clarke books were a joy!


I remember many of them from my childhood.


Simple ,yet so charming!


With cute illustrations


Mollie Clarke became an Infant advisor for Devon.
I never met her but my mum was fortunate enough to meet her when Mollie Clarke occasionally visited the school in Torquay, where my mum was teaching.




I wonder if you remember Mollie Clarke books?

Mollie Clarke is no longer alive but her lovely books live on!


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22 comments:

  1. April31 March 2008 at 12:11

    I have tagged you as one of my favourite blogs - please stop by and have a look

    April xx

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  2. Simone31 March 2008 at 12:22

    I don't remember those books but they remind me of Mabel Lucie Attwell books and I had those as a child. The images are so innocent and wholesome. I used to wear clothes like the children pictured! I didn't think I was THAT old!

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  3. gayle31 March 2008 at 13:43

    Hi, Just discovered your blog, can't remember how but I started at Flossie Teacakes and moved to someone elses. Love all the Ladybird book pictures. I still have a few from when I was wee. I made my first pincushion recently so was interested in seeing yours. I'll be back!

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  4. Lucy Bloom31 March 2008 at 15:50

    Hi Sal, I've never come across these books but they are absolutely delightful!
    Lucy x

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  5. Mary1 April 2008 at 02:47

    Sal I opened the link to Exeter history and have just spent an age looking through - so very interesting, especially the war years. I was taken to a panto at that Theatre Royal in the '50's and remember having high tea first in a posh restaurant. Also the The White Hart - and the very old cafe with the leaded windows for tea.
    Don't remember these books but the illustrations are so sweet and innocent - oh for those times again! You really have a fabulous collection.

    Off on a Spring Break trip to see family - Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania - see you when I return next weekend.
    Take care - Mary.

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  6. Louise1 April 2008 at 08:39

    I am so pleased we got to see Jenny Wren, I love wrens, they are just too cute for words! Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures with us. I can't recall ever coming across Mollie Clarke books, I shall be looking out for them from now on, the illustrations are just up my street! Fancy your Mum having the pleasure of meeting Mollie Clarke, what a great story to tell. x

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  7. Ally Jay1 April 2008 at 09:08

    Thise illustrations are lovely. A little bit like Lucy Mabel Atwell, or is it atwell Mabel Lucy, or Mabel Lucy.. hopefully you know who I mean.

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  8. Country Cottage Chic1 April 2008 at 16:40

    I haven't seen them before but they are charming! I love old children's books too.

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  9. Rubyred1 April 2008 at 18:20

    Love the Mollie Clarke books,I remember some of those Learning with Mother books too!Ahh,childhood memories,thanks for sharing.

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  10. Kitty2 April 2008 at 11:01

    Absolutely beautiful illustrations, aren't they? x

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  11. Twiggy3 April 2008 at 13:40

    Stunning, wouldn't they make lovely embroidery motifs?
    Twiggy x

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  12. Jennie3 April 2008 at 19:04

    oooh I've tagged you too!
    I love the way you show the illustrations. I love books, especially childrens books and I absolutely love your blog!

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  13. Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED5 April 2008 at 12:18

    The illistrations on this are adorable...

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  14. WobbleJon23 October 2008 at 14:40

    I found this page when I googled Mollie Clarke. I have a book of hers (Wee One) to sell on ebay if you're interested in bidding. No one has bid yet!
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=180301342459
    Sorry to bother you if not.

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  15. Sal23 October 2008 at 15:15

    Thanks. I saw it on ebay this morning,so am watching it.Hope you get this reply!! ;-)

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  16. Shirley13 May 2010 at 04:50

    Lovely to see the Mollie Clarke books featured. I have 19 of her books. Although I am now a grandma, I have kept them since getting them when I was 5 years old (1953!). They have such lovely illustrations.

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  17. Sal13 May 2010 at 08:27

    Oh yes Shirley,I agree!
    Thank you for visiting!!
    Sal ;-)

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  18. Unknown16 February 2020 at 11:22

    Ah how much fun to find your blog, I wonder if you are still keeping it up.
    I have Little Rogue from Mollie Clarke. I live in France, and it was my favourite childhood book! Was trying to find more information about Mollie, as some of her books are based in Africa and Russia. I wonder what her background was?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 October 2023 at 02:03

      The Little Rogue was my favorite as well from my aunt Kate when she visited from England to NY. I felt bad that crocodile was pulling on the poor elephant’s trunk.

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    2. Sal26 October 2023 at 10:20

      I loved all of her books! Thank you for re- visiting!

      Delete
  19. Sal14 June 2020 at 21:38

    As well as writing beautiful books, she was in education, I think. I believe that she was a teacher...and maybe a head teacher.
    I know that my mum ( also a teacher) met her a few times. This was in Devon.
    I’ll try to find out more! Sal 😁

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  20. Sal17 April 2021 at 08:59

    Hi, I don’t know any more than I’ve already said. I’ve looked in the books that I have but there’s no information about her.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! ;-)

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