The Famous Five Return

While I'm on the subject of book cover art - or the lack of it - here's the cover of the latest Enid Blyton novel: The Famous Five's Survival Guide (2008). At first glance it looks as boring as the NASA cover below, but its design includes the essentials: the trademark Enid Blyton signature, a silhouette of the Famous Five and a compass (pointing to adventure, of course). Enid Blyton (1897-1968) was recently named Britain's best-loved author in a poll for the Costa Book Award (CLICK). She is the sixth most popular author worldwide, especially loved in India, Japan and Germany. Her books have sold 400 million copies in 90 languages. So it's hardly surprising that her estate Chorion is keen to see new works published. The Famous Five's Survival Guide is the first of a new series of 20 books to bear the Blyton name. CLICK to read BBC Magazine.