Last Straw

by Margaret J. Baker

Three children find a magic corn doll that enables them to experience summers of long ago.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Margaret Joyce Blake's Publications:
The Fighting Cocks, 1949;
Nonsense Said the Tortoise (in U.S. as Homer the Tortoise), 1949;
Four Farthings and a Thimble, 1950;
A Castle and Sixpence, 1951;
Benbow and the Angels, 1952;
The Family That Grew and Grew, 1952;
Treasure Trove, 1952;
Homer Sees the Queen, 1953;
The Young Magicians, 1954;
Lions in the Potting Shed (in U.S. as Lions in the Woodshed), 1954;
The Wonderful Wellington Boots, 1955;
Anna Sewell and Black Beauty, 1956;
Acorns and Aerials, 1956;
Bright High Flyer, 1957;
Tip and Run, 1958;
Homer Goes to Stratford, 1958;
The Magic Seashell, 1959;
The Birds of Thimblepins, 1960;
Homer in Orbit, 1961;
Into the Castle. 1962;
The Cats of Honeytown, 1962;
Away Went Galloper, 1962;
Castaway Christmas, 1963;
Cut Off from Crumpets, 1964;
The Shoe Shop Bears, 1964;
Homer Goes West, 1965;
Hannibal and the Bears, 1965;
Bears Back in Business, 1967;
Porterhouse Major, 1967;
Hi-Jinks Joins the Bears, 1970;
Snails' Place, 1970;
The Last Straw, 1971;
Boots and the Ginger Bears, 1972;
The Sand Bird, 1973;
Prickets Way, 1973;
Lock Stock and Barrel, 1974;
Home from the Hill, 1968;
Sand in Our Shoes, 1976

Reviews

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

when their home is destroyed by a fire, Guy, Rose and Bell Tompkins are sent to stay on a farm in Somerset. midwinter is not the ideal time for a farm holiday, and Bell in particular is sad because all her dolls were lost in the fire. But then while they are exploring the attic, they find an old corn dolly, whom Bell names Poppy, and who has the power to transport them through time to past summers. while the children enjoy time travelling with Poppy, it does lead them into one or two awkward situations. And then there is the worry of what will become of the farm if the harvest fails. Can Poppy save the day?
this is a charming gentle fantasy story with echoes of English folklore, and Poppy is a delightful character, still devoted to the welfare of the farm, despite no longer being given her due as protector of the harvest. No wonder the children want to take her home with them, who wouldn't?

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very pleasant time travel book. Sent to stay at a farm without their parents after their London home burns, three children discover an old straw doll in the attic. She is magic, and can take them back to past summers....but can her harvest magic save the farm? Nothing extraordinary, but a very pleasant read.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am in the process of re-reading books I have kept from my childhood. I don’t have any memory of this one, and I can see why. The magic happens without any sense of astonishment or wonder. While well-written, the story lacks any drama or suspense.