The Ship That Flew

by Hilda Lewis, Nora Lavrin (Illustrator)

When Peter sees the model ship in the shop window, he wants it more than anything else on Earth. But this is no ordinary model. The ship takes Peter and the other children on magical flights, wherever they ask to go. Time after time the magic ship takes them on different exciting adventures, to different countries, and to different times.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Classics, Fiction, Adventure, Middle Grade, Magic

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1939

About the author

Hilda Winifred Lewis (née Maizels, 1896-1974) was a British writer.

She wrote a noted children's book, The Ship that Flew (1939) which concerns Norse mythology and time travel. It was republished in the Oxford Children's Modern Classics series in 1998. Her three YA books, including the well-received The Gentle Falcon, are available for Kindle and iBooks.
Several of her historical novels, e.g. I am Mary Tudor (1972), received attention. Most of her work is now out of print. Wife to Charles II and I, Jacqueline are available in The Book People's historical fiction paperback collection. The Witch and the Priest (1956) about the seventeenth century Lincolnshire witch trials is well worth reading, even second hand in the freely available but lurid Dennis Wheatley paperback Library of the Occult format.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my mother and grandparents when on sabbatical in Nottingham, they lived next door to Hilda Lewis who gave my family several copies (the book came out in 1939). Years later when I was little my mother pulled this book out and it became one of my most beloved and cherished books. It is one of the most enchanting tales I will ever read. Though I haven't read it in years (seeing as it lives on my mum's bookshelf and not my own), I can recall it to memory clearly. The story of Peter and his brother and sisters is timeless. It travels through ancient Egypt, Normandy England, the Norse Gods and several other places and times. The language is beautiful and just is filled with love and joy. I recently discovered the book was reprinted in 1998. Perhaps I can get myself a copy.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy about four children and their magical travels.

In a dark little shop, in a dark little street, Peter finds a little ship that costs him "all the money he has in the world - "and a bit over." This seems like a high price but it takes him into a magical world.

* * *
I read the first chapter to my nephew this morning and he ate it up. Even just telling him the title: The Magic Begins brought a smile to his face. He took the shillings and pence in stride. My sister and I told him how mysterious dark little streets and shops are a clue in books that something exciting and possibly magical is going to happen and he nodded intently, memorizing that piece of knowledge. The younger brother, like Alice, wanted to know if there were pictures and conversation, and there weren't enough pictures to hold his interest so he clambered down.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was funny for me to discover a book like this that I missed as a kid. It shares so much with my favorite childhod books-- Eager, Nesbit, Lewis-- and I enjoyed it a lot. But it misses some of the humor, and also some of the complexity. It falls just a little short.

One thing I enjoyed, while reading it, was thinking about how we follow rules for POV in kidlit today that older authors didn't seem to bother with. I found this book swooped into the minds of all the characters in a somewhat inconsistent way. It didn't bother me at all, but it did get me thinking about why we observe the literary habits we observe.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite kind of story when I was a little girl. If I'd been able to find a copy on the shelves of my library, I would have checked it out and read it over and over.

The Ship That Flew is the story of four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. One of the brothers, Peter, sees a ship in a shop window and buys it with "all the money he has," a few coins. He soon learns the ship is magic and the children embark on a series of wonderful adventures, traveling to ancient Egypt, Norman England, the home of the Norse Gods, and many other exotic and delightful places.

This book is a wonderland of fun and adventure. I love this story.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know - couldn't guess - how many times I took this book out of the library when I was a kid. It went home with me over, and over and over again. It's actually a little disturbing to me to hold it in a brand-new paperback instead of in the worn library-bound hardcover that I cherished as a child - but I'm thrilled that it's back in print.

I grew up waiting for magic on every corner. My favourites were this lovely little book from Hilda Lewis, ANYTHING by E. Nesbit, and of course, all of Edgar Eager books.

Now it's time - past time! - to share this treasure with my girls. I bought it for Caroline for Christmas in 2010, but she hadn't read it yet, so here it is for us in British History. I can't wait to read about the Normans with the girls, after covering that part of history this week. I think they'll have a richer appreciation of the story than I ever did.

It's an absolute joy to share these childhood treasures with my girls.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very much like Five Children and It by E. Nesbit and Half Magic by Edward Eager though I liked it more. It was episodic (which isn't always my favorite), but the adventures seemed well thought out and the children protagonists were well written. I think I'd have liked this even more had I read it prior to the other two. So, this book follows a bit of a formula, but it does it with style and ingenuity (it isn't a copy or rip-off in any way). I recommend it.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite. I think I read and reread this book over a dozen times from the age of 9-12.

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

During a snowy week in winter, my 5th grade teacher read this book to our class during the noon recess as we were not allowed out (too cold).

I was nine. I enjoyed it so much after the teacher finished it, I checked it out of the library and re-read it. Several times in the next two years.

It is a wonderful magic and time travel fantasy, originally published in England in 1939. Later, the US edition come out in 1958.

In an old curio shop, Peter buys a small toy boat for "all the money he has in the world---and a bit more." (and it was true he remembered later, for he gave the seller a bit of his father's pocket change as well.)

Peter, his brother, and his two sisters soon find the Ship can fly them anywhere---including the past. A series of very amusing and exciting adventures takes place.

If you are every fortunate to find a copy, grab it. Before you pass it on to your children or nieces and nephews, read it yourself. Fifty years ago and I still remember it.

P.s. Help! I can recall the story but only Peter's name. What were the other three?!

Reade sometime in 1959.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled across this in a secondhand bookshop and what a find! Brilliant. Ingenious. Imaginative. Had I read it as a child I have no doubt it would still be one of my favourite books! The way the author wraps it up is particularly lovely (giving nothing away!).

[Marvin Vingerhoed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schattig verhaal over een vliegend schip dat ook door de tijd kan reizen. Mooi geschreven. Heerlijk dat ipv uitgebreide beschrijvingen dingen soms met hink-stap-sprongen gebeurden. Een dier legt zijn kop op de hand van zijn baas, en ja hoor, probleem opgelost ‘volgens Baba (oid) zijn jullie vrienden!’
Ongecompliceerd, had ik even behoefte aan.

[Yuma · Rating 5 out of 5]

my dad couldnt get it in america so he ordered it all the way from england
its very good
its about 4 children
the oldest stumbles into a store hes never seen
he buys a goat with everything he has and a little bit more
they go to different times, and different locations.
they meet different people
make friends but as they expierence a different adventure they learn something new about the boat.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book as a child. I have spent years trying to find it because I could not remember the title or author. Finally found it on Good Reads! I just reread it. Not quite as good as I remembered which is interesting because there are many childhood books that I still appreciate. However I still love the idea of ship that can take you any place in the world or time.

[Zowie Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The epitome of escapism. I used to read my school's copy of this at least once a month as a child, and will never forget my excitement when it was republished and I got my own copy.
This timeless classic proves that a good children's story doesn't need teenage angst, dating or vampires room provide entertainment.

[Amber Scaife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy finds a magic toy boat in a magic shop, and he and his brother and two sisters have all sorts of adventures flying through time in it.
I loved it. A predecessor to The Magic Treehouse books, but much better. I love that the boat turns out to be Frey's, and the encounters between the kids and the Norse gods are great. Definitely recommended.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this as a kid and it's still a favourite.

*edited in 2020: I read this out loud to the children and they enjoyed it as well.

A young man buys a magic ship and he and his three siblings have many adventures through time and space.

[Marlene de Leeuw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can' remember where I got this book. I own it in hard cover. It has traveled the world with me. I read it to my children when they were small. I hope to read it to my grand children. The grand adventures of the four children made every chapter anticipated.

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

A formative childhood book.
The line "All the money in the world and a little bit more" has never left me as a concept, and I am always on the look out for small cluttered curio shops that have always been there yet have never seen before.

[Fiona Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it as a child and one of the most most (mis- ?)quoted phases in my vocabulary is 'All the money you have in the world plus a bit more..' I still see funny little shops in old back lanes and wonder....
Dying to read it again

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

a magical historical fiction, time travel--deliciously imaginative...I don't think the other titles that popped up are by the same Hilda Lewis though (the Harlot Queen?)

[Peter P-t · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an old favourite of mine, given to me by my English grandmother as a child. My son, just turned eight years old, loves it. We're on our third or fourth reading of the book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful! Kids have adventures with a magical ship. 1939 Great Britain

[Hk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel I read that really captured my imagination and fostered my love of reading. I'd love to find a hard copy of it

[Deborah Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic children's book, which is sadly is no longer widely available in Canada. I was a Children's Librarian for 35 years, and always had it on the shelves for good readers about 10 years and up. It is very British and very much in the language of the late 30's when it was written, but so are a lot of other great books. I think North American kids can handle that, and many will also be interested in the time travel and history in the story. I read this book with my best friend when we were about 11, and we loved it! Mind you, we were also fans of Enid Blyton, Alice in Wonderland The Secret Garden etc. Four siblings who play together surprisingly well go on no-adult adventures through time and space. What a great concept for a children's book! And of course, there is lots of food, always important. They can even speak the language of the time and be dressed in the right clothes if they pass their hand over the boar's head at the front of the flying ship. The eldest, Peter, has been given pocket money to buy treats after a dentist visit, and stumbles across an old shop with a cryptic old seller who charges him "everything in the world and a bit over." to buy the tiny ship. But this is an enchanted ship which can grow to accommodate as many people as needed. They go to Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and even bring back a girl their age for a visit. This is an engrossing book that calls out to be read aloud by an adult and discussed.

[Jill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book in so many ways. I love the 1950s style of the story, the children, their speech, and the old coins. The outlook is fresh to me but also reminiscent of books I've read in my youth. I hope that children these days do try to read it. It's worth giggling at the Pounds Shillings and Pence to see how much these kids learned from books. No internet or 'Google' then.

I loved how the three children Peter, Sheila, Sandy, and Humphrey believe in magic when they see the tiny model sailing ship grow large enough for all four of them to get in. They travelled to places they'd read about and some of them in the past. They made friends and kept promises, enjoying their strange transformation with clothes and language that the magic ship gave them when they touched the part of the boat that was calved.

I wondered if children these days would have the imagination to want to travel to strange places they'd read about. Would they go to Nottingham and meet Robin Hood? Would they want to see the treasures of Egypt and meet a Pharaoh, or the Norse Gods of Asgard?

Of all the books I've added to my collection, this is one I think I will keep. It's a reminder of a simpler world when children had their heads in books, not iPhones, and when they talked to each other, quarrelling was just part of life. A very free life of going off on their own adventures without adult supervision.

This book should be a must-read for everyone.

[Sula · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Old-fashioned children's fantasy, that made me think of E. Nesbit's The House of Arden, but with more of an Enid Blyton feel. The fantastical element is fairly simplistic, and the story divides into small adventures rather like E. Nesbit's books, but they all seemed to follow a similar pattern of get into trouble, and then trying to escape. Lacks the more elegant prose of E. Nesbit and generally feels like a fantastical take on many of the children's stories at the time. Possibly it was more ahead of its time when written. Interesting to note that this later edition updates the year the children are from to the year of that edition, 20 years later than when it was first published!

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, enjoyable British fantasy/historical fiction book for kids. (I don’t know why my Kindle version has “historical fiction for teens” in the title; the book is clearly aimed at the 8-12 year old crowd.) It reminds me of E. Nesbit and Edward Eager, so if you like those authors, you will certainly enjoy this. Four British children use a magic ship to travel to distant lands and even back in time, visiting ancient Egypt, Norman England, Valhalla, and even Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest. I suppose, strictly speaking, this isn’t the most “educational” historical fiction in the world, but it’s a rollicking good time, and it’s the kind of book I would have read over and over when I was a kid. The time travel is simplistic, and the kids seem a little slow on the uptake sometimes- it takes them several pages to realize something that the alert reader figured out immediately. So don’t bring a sci-fi nerd’s critical eye to the book, just hop into the magic ship and enjoy the fun.

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my Dad's favourite books when he was a kid. He tried to read it to me when I was little, and I wasn't interested so we never finished it. This past December, he was unwell, and I offered to read the book to him. Well, he, my mom and I read a chapter a night for much of December and had such a truly wonderful time. The magic in this book is so lovely. I can't believe I didn't love this as a kid, because the pacing is excellent, and it's such a fun book. It's also such an incredibly British book, which was often amusing (such antiquated phrases!). There are definitely some uncomfortable racial aspects, which are unfortunately expected for the era. For me, that drops it down at least a star, however my overall experience of reading the book adds a bonus star in my mind, so I'm giving it 5 stars.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a child and recently to my children as a read aloud. This book follows the familiar formula: four siblings go on magical adventures. In this book, they get there in a magic flying boat and their adventures all happen on Earth, but in different time periods. (Well, expect they do go to Asgard, but everything else is on Earth.) The different adventures are mostly episodic and the children don't really change much over the course of the book, but it's a fun read and we all enjoyed it.

[Anna Zehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read. My siblings and I all enjoyed this book as children and as I reread this book, I understood why. It appeals to all - packed with culture, historical events, suspense, charm, descriptions of food while examining the motives and personalities of the characters and offering some philosophy along the way as the children time travel in their flying ship.

[Bruce Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid! Now that I have two grandchildren I would love to find a copy of this book to read to them. Unfortunately, it is out of print—does anyone know where I might be able to purchase this book? Thanks!