Surely you’ve met Mr. Magnolia, as brought to life by the incomparable Quentin Blake? He’s been loved by our entire family for the last 40 years, and if you haven’t met him yet, you may not know that the poor man has only one boot. Not to worry. I found him another one the other day.
For Becky’s Square Odds.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
I somehow managed to miss Mr Magnolia as a child, I was probably already onto Agatha Christie by the time he appeared on the scenes!
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I must get this for Tabitha as she loves walking around with only one boot! Suspect though even the charity shop won’t have a copy at the original price of 90p
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Ah, happy days, when children’s picture books cost round-about a quid.
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Were you still of an age to have had this one? First published 1980. But grandchildren give you a further excuse to get to know him.
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yes was too old for it then, but as you say and I have also replied grandchildren provide a great excuse to revisit 🙂
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I think I’m the wrong generation!! But we’ll done finding that boot…I imagine the owner hobbling home with one wet foot 😳
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Exactly! Weird, isn’t it?
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Yes!
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Nearly happened to me a few years ago when the mud got hold of one of mine!
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Oh yes, me too, on quicksands near Weston-super-Mare. Scary.
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But it was freed!
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Eventually …
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I enjoyed that immensely, Margaret. Thank you very much! Now a swift bit of ironing, put the washing out and it’s off to play croquet. In 2 shoes, with a slight limp.
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Well, if you can play croquet, no lasting damage. Phew! Ironing? What’s that? And my washing’s inside … again.
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I just need to avoid hitting myself in the shin 🙄💗
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You may well do. But your opponents? Croquet brings out the worst in us.
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Thanks for introducing me to Mr Magnolia not met before!
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Oh, he’s definitely one of my best mates!
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Mr Magnolia was my daughter’s favourite for quite some time. I feel I know him very, very well and am pleased you located his boot.
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Another fan! I’m so pleased. Not sure this is a boot for him though.
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That boot will look splendid on Mr M’s person. I suspect it could tell a tale or two itself… 🤭
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I should say so. Who’d abandon a boot in mid-walk?
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Definitely a looser in a gumboot throwing competition
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😉
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I’m too old to have grown up with Mr Magnolia but he was one of my favourite read-alouds as a children’s librarian, so I know him well 😀 I’m so glad you found his boot!
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I doubt if he’ll be that appreciative.
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Well, thank you and not sure how I missed Mr Magnolia when my children were growing up even though Roald Dahl and Blakes illustrations were so popular. Yes, must get it for the grandchildren now. And love that boot pic.
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You will end up with all of you able to recite Mr. Magnolia in full till the end of your days.
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Sounds like a plan!
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He came along too late to be amongst our bedtime reading for our daughter so it was delightful to hear the story, although a less strident rendering would be my choice!
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I agree. But it was the best of a bad lot.
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Love the boot 😀 😀
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I could probably go and get it for you if you want 😉
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I have never heard of Mr. Magnolia. I LOVE Quentin Blake’s colourful illustrations. Thank you for the introduction.
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Everyone should have a chance to meet Mr. Magnolia, so I hope you get the chance soon. There was a marvellous programme on TV recently about Quentin Blake and his creative process. Such an interesting man!
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We never read Mr Magnolia. I remember seeing the book in the library and in bookshops but somehow we missed him!
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You’re never too old for Mr. Magnolia though.
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That’s what I thought. I’ll have a look for him.
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