'This is a book that wears its learning lightly but offers much in the way of cultural insight and some serious reflections on the condition and future of the children's book in a digital age.'Prof Kimberley Reynolds, School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, Newcastle University'The book takes a look at unanswered mysteries in the nation's favourite children's books, posing questions like whether Bobbie's train in The Railway Children could really have stopped in time?'Caroline Cook, in Reading Post, 1 January 2014'Their knowledge is encyclopaedic, this volume being a testament to their learning and achievements. [...] throughout the collection Butts and Hunt employ approaches to reading which set the texts within social and historical contexts and thereby bring greater understanding. Their approach ensures that whilst 'righting' some misconceptions which might arise through the reading of children's literature they have only increased the enjoyment for both the scholar and the casual reader. This collection is a must read!'Prof Jean Webb, Director of the International Forum for Research in Children's Literature, University of Worcester'...this collection of short, entertaining and informative essays makes this a light easy read for anyone with an interest in social history and children's literature. It considers questions that, as a child, I would never have thought to ask, but the fun of having so many of these quirks of literature that we grew up with identified makes this book so entertaining.'Nigel Gossop, The Westerman Yarns, 26 January 2014'The authors have put together a series of short articles on various famous and one-time famous "children's writers" including Stevenson, Kipling, Lewis Carroll, Beatrix Potter et al. [...] an interesting, if short, read.' The Haggard Journal, No.112, March 2014"...a fascinating book for older children and adults [...] The book is full of interesting facts and details about your favourite books." Frances Burke-Gaffney, in Children's Web Magazine'It engages in just the kind of sleuthing in which many of us learned amateurs delight.'Avrum Lank, Mixed Moss: The Journal of the Arthur Ransome Society (2014)'...definitely entertaining.'Caldecott Newsletter, (Spring, 2014)"...the longer I dwelt over each chapter the more I became fascinated and appreciative. For those interested in 'Mysteries of Children's Literature' this slim paperback will give them the most enjoyable time." Judy Taylor, in The Beatrix Potter Society Journal, Vol 132, April 2014"...Avoiding any of those over-ingenious reinterpretation common among Sherlock Holmes fans, Butts and Hunt concentrate instead on odd facts and unusual queries... We need more books about children's literature written with the same sense of informed delight about a genre that can be, ad often is, both memorable and endearing..."Nicholas Tucker, The Tablet, 26 April 2014"... Hunt suggests either that the sacrifice of Bobbie's character to the dramatic moment is justified - and/or that the emotional dynamics of the best seller mean that we willingly suspend our disbelief. Nesbit on one side, and her readers on the other, collude in the illusion of a neat and satisfying world. Well, of course, The answer to these suggestions is 'yes' and 'yes'" John Entwisle, The Edith Nesbit Society, Newsletter No. 75 March 2014"...Hunt and Butts are not just throwing us tit-bits of trivia with this set of studies; they are leading to some key, and very modern, issues about the place (and importance) of children's literature in our broader society... This is a fascinating book, whether simply as something to dip into for some thoughts about a favorite story, or as a broader consideration of where children's literature has been and could be going. Butts and Hunt write clearly, thoughtfully and with a subtle undertone of challenge."David Beagley, The Looking Glass: New perspectives on children's Literature, Volume 17, No 2 (2014)"... Entertaining... A really Fascinating book."Samantha Ellis, The Times Literary Supplement No. 5810 August 2014Drawing on their encyclopedic knowledge of children's literature, the authors provide readers with the inside story on many classic works.Mark I. West, Children's Literature Association Quarterly, Summer 2015
