Candy Floss

by Rumer Godden, Adrienne Adams (Illustrator)

A doll named Candy Floss is very happy serving as Jack's lucky charm at his stall at the fair, until a spoiled rich girl steals her.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Margaret Rumer Godden was an English author of more than 60 fiction and non-fiction books. Nine of her works have been made into films, most notably Black Narcissus in 1947 and The River in 1951.
A few of her works were co-written with her elder sister, novelist Jon Godden, including Two Under the Indian Sun, a memoir of the Goddens' childhood in a region of India now part of Bangladesh.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Such a beautiful book, Adrienne Adams' illustrations are exquisite, there are illustrations on every page, this would make a wonderful beginner reader.

Jack runs a coconut shie stall with the help of his partners, a poodle called Cocoa, a doll called Candy Floss and a wind up music box horse called Nuts. Then a little girl comes along who is given everything she wants and sees Candy Floss she demands her father buys her.

The story ends nicely with a message that getting what you think you want doesn't always make you happy and earning something for yourself is more fulfilling than just being given things.

There's some sheet music included of what the music box plays, I love it when some music is included in a book, this song is about someone called Augustine but when we listened to the music we realised that we know this song well as 'Have You Ever Seen A Lassie' or different words but same tune 'Oh You Can't Put Your Muck In Our dustbin' Interesting to find the same tune with three very different sets of lyrics.

Read on openlibrary

[Cam (Lana Belova) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sprinkle of magic that heals the heart of one little girl. Loved this beautiful story, thank you, Rumer Godden!! 🩷



Art by Viabilia

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 A sweet and endearing about how a coconut shy vendor, Jack, and his lovely team (Nuts the Horse, beautiful dancer Candy Floss and helpful dog, Cocoa) help to turn a selfish, grumpy little girl into a more thoughtful and kind little girl. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and, if you love books that take place at carnivals/country fairs, you'll love this book even more!

[Linda Lassman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a child in the early 1960s and loved it. I was thrilled to discover last year, when we were going through my parents' home, that they had kept it, so I am equally thrilled to have it again.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classic doll book from Rumer Godden about the doll in the pink tutu who lives at the fair.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in a collection, so, no pictures. Too simplistic & didactic for me, at least without art and/or at this time of my life. I might have liked it when I was a child, but I don't believe even then I would have reread or treasured it.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad Godden explained what a tanner is, since I'd just come across that in another book. Hogrogian seemed to experiment with gray in most of the panels. My favorite is Jack in the woods with Candy Floss while Cocoa chased rabbits, thick brushstrokes almost like pastels.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my daughters and now to my grandchildren. Lovely story that never gets old.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite books to get out from the library over 30 years ago. I was so pleased to find a copy being sold off by my local library a couple of years ago (the same edition even) - can't believe no-one wants to read it any more.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gorgeous doll with the pink tutu and the inclusion of a spoiled rich girl make this another Rumer Godden classic.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times did I check this book out of the library? I have the edition pictured here, but would love the one from my childhood. I prefer its illustrations.

[Tiffany Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another boy and his doll book.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is my new book crush.
What a great story. Rumer Godden writes with such love and wisdom.