‘’The Family at Red-Roofs’’
was the first proper
story book that I read as a child …
… on my own , right through.
Hardly any pictures.
It was my favourite childhood book.
I was totally
absorbed …
… by the family who
moved into their new house …
… with the red roof.
Molly's first view of red Roofs
Molly, Peter and
Shirley Jackson.
Daddy, Mother and Jenny-Wren
the Maid (EB stories always had a Maid) …
… and their dog,
Bundle (there was always a dog too)
It was quite weighty story line
for a young girl.
The family move to the new house.
But they soon face disaster.
Daddy has to go away to
America to work for six months.
Then Mother (always Mother, not Mummy) became
very ill.
The ship taking their
Daddy to America sank.
Daddy wasn't on the survivor
list.
The news was kept
from Mother whilst in hospital..
Yep, the price show my age ...
Facing separation the
children and Jenny-Wren all rally round …
… each one taking
little jobs to help bring in the money …
… to pay the bills at
Red Roofs.
I still have the
book.
It has a happy ending
…
… obviously.
Mother got better and came home.
Daddy was found safe (had suffered amnesia in the sinking) and also came home.
Happy ever after.
Daddy's homecoming
I remembered the book
over the years.
Actually re-read it a
few years ago.
Anyway … I digress.
The post is really
about the book title.
Red Roofs.
I never owned a dolls
house as a child.
Never really hankered
after one …
… until now.
Not to furnish and
play with …
… no, truly.
But as decoration on
a bedroom floor …
... under the window perhaps ...
… or to top a chest
of drawers.
A neighbour was
selling one.
Her Daddy made the house for her in the 1930/40’s.
My lovely hubby bought it for
me as a surprise.
It has a red roof.
Just like the book.
The inside needs a little TLC...
(note the rather large light switch on the left)
(A 1960's addition Barbie pink loo and outsize lamp shades!)
... but for now ...
The house with the
red roof sits on a chest of drawers.
In our dining room.
***
Do you remember your first proper story book?
