Holiday at The Dew Drop Inn May 11, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Word Play, Writing & Writers.trackback
When I received this book as a child, I giggled at its title . . . and dove right in to the Dew Drop Inn.
Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn (third in the series, The Family from One End Street) describes Kate Ruggles’ summer holiday at the Dew Drop Inn.
The Family from One End Street beat out Tolkien’s The Hobbit to receive the 2nd annual Carnegie Medal for outstanding children’s book by a British subject in 1937.
Seventy years later, a panel selected it for the Top Ten List of Medal winning works.
Eve Garnett wrote the series to address the social conditions of the working class in England at the time.
Have you met Kate?
Spirit Lights The Way 
I confess I have never come across it. Interesting that books with a mission to do more than entertain are often more memorable and successful than those that simply tell a story, however good that may be.
Good point, Col. Books with a mission seem to have more staying power . . . 1984, Animal Farm, Gulliver’s Travels, Brave New World, Green Eggs & Ham, etc.
Not to mention Dickens.
Yes! Dickens . . . a perennial favorite. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read (or watched) A Christmas Carol.
I am not familiar with the book but went out and googled around to see if it could possibly be the Dew Drop Inn that I remember from the North of England – to no avail. Love children’s literature!
It might be . . . what a great name for an Inn or B&B. 😀
It’s a sad fact that I have never read this book and have to say that it seems almost unknown despite the award you allude to. The Hobbit, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength. Perhaps the difference between the two was down to target audience – The Hobbit, like Harry Potter, is both a childrens and adults tale at the same time. Can ‘Holiday at the Dew drop Inn’ claim the same?
I couldn’t say, Martin. I read it many moons BEFORE I passed the threshold from child to adult. 😛
I have never heard of this, Nancy, how could I have missed the One End Street stories for so long? Must try to track some down. Thank you.
I hope you can track down a copy . . . I think you’d like Kate, Kate. 😉
Yes, I have! I only read the first one, though. But I loved it.
Yay! I didn’t dream it up! My favorite character name from the series . . . Mrs. “Nosey Parker” Smith.
I haven’t met Kate. I love children’s books and illustrations.
I love the illustration of Kate at the fence with her Wellies on. 😀
I’m not familiar with this book at all! I am so glad you introduced me! 🙂
My pleasure, Debra. If you track down a copy, let me know what you think of Mrs. “Nosey Parker” Smith. 😛
I’m a little relieved that I’m not the only one unfamiliar with Kate and this series. Thanks or the introduction 🙂
Sounds like it’s a unknown award-winner. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it when “out and about.” And my copy is long gone.
Would this be the same books with the jingle:
Do drop in, see my pop, he is tops at Dew Drop Inn…. ??
If not… anyone know which book that was? Thanks for the help!!
I’ve never heard that jingle . . . but there are LOTS of Dew Drop Inns on “google.”
Maybe you can find what you’re looking for that way?