Books for the Children

IN a recent selection of children's books, far and a was the best is " Impunity Jane," bs Romer Godden (Macmillan. 7s. 6d.). The story of this doll has imagination. originality and understanding, and its pulse beats in such a way that no child could help loving Impunity Jane. " Folk-Tales of the Channel Islands," by Dorothy K. Collings (Harrap, 7s. 6d.) is not in the same class as the Oxford University Press Myths and Legends" series. but it is nevertheless an entertaming contribution to folk lore, Despite a rather confusing cntribution in " The Tale of the Two Priors." it ,S should do much to encourage the young to clamour for a holiday on the Channel Islands. Harrap, too, have published " Clouds, Rings and Crocodiles," by H. P. Wilkins (7s. 6d.), a more modern story : by Spaceship round the Planets.
LAST year Capt. Frank Knight wrote " Voyage to Bengal " and doubtless readers of this will welcome " Mudlarks and M yssteries " (Macmillan, 10s. 6d.), his latest seafaring story. Here again the author caters for the many younger readers with a love of the sea. "John and the Chess Men," by Helen Weissenstein (Plurnix House. 95. 6d.), is an unusual and fascinating book. an excellent story and a simple explanation for the uninitiated of the rules of chess. Yet another seafaring tale for boys by Richard Armstrong. " Danger Rock " (Dent, 8s. 6d.) breaks its way through icebergs in the and fires the imagination of every true adventurer. From Dent also come three well• tried favourites in their Children's Illustrated Classics: " Tom Sawyer." by Mark Twain (8s. 6d.1. " Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain (85. 6d.)-both illustrated by Walter Hodges-and " The Children of the New Forest." by Capt. Marryat, illustrated by Lionel Edwards (11s. 6d.). 0. H.
TN relation to a book reviewed recently, " Commonsense in the Nursery." by Mrs. Frankenburg. the reviewer writes: " In such a very short rev ew of Mrs. Frankenburg's hook I did not. perhaps. express myself clearly enough. " She did not suggest that death should be kept hidden from the child. as my review suggested. She does consider it a difficult subject to deal with. and gives her advice accordinglyon pages 137-8 of her otherwise excellent book.
" I still deplore her remarks u
about the unsuitability of the hymn she quotes on page 72, where she considers thoughts of death should not he encouraged at bedtime."