The Good Luck Engine

by Hilda Boswell

A 60s book for small children just learning to read. The Sleepydown branch line is to be closed, and what can Mr Bumble the the mayor do? With a little help from Bonkers the wizard and Old Square the engine, a plan is hatched.

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Hilda Boswell (1903-1976) was a British illustrator and writer of children’s books.

She studied at Hornsey School of Art and the Regent Street Polytechnic. In the 1930s, she illustrated comics for Amalgamated Press, before moving into illustrating and writing children's books from the 1940s.

She is well-known for illustrating Enid Blyton's 'flower' and 'holiday' books in the 1940s and 1950s, an edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses, and her own treasuries.

Her preferred medium was watercolour, and she was influenced by Beatrix Potter, Kate Greenaway and Arthur Rackham.

Reviews

[Patrick Neylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the first book I ever read. I even spelt my name wrong in the front.

[Angie Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must have been my all-time favourite book as a young child. The illustrations immersed me in the magical tiny town of Sleepydown, with talking insects and fairies and wizards as I imagined myself as part of the town.