Apple Bough (by Noel Streatfeild)

(Amazon UK link)

'Apple Bough' is a delightful book for children by Noel Streatfeild.

The Forum family used to live in a rambling old house called Apple Bough, and the four children still remember it with nostalgia. Myra, the oldest, is twelve when this story starts: a sensible, motherly child who adores her younger siblings and worries about the future. She deeply misses her dog Wag, who had to be left in England with a friend when the family started touring the world.

The reason for the touring is that Sebastian, next in age to Myra, is a child prodigy violinist. Noel Streatfeild's books usually feature brilliantly gifted children, and 'Apple Bough' is no exception. Sebastian was discovered at the age of eight by a famous Russian conductor, and was contracted to tour initially for six months, but this gradually extended until the family seem to spend their entire lives travelling. There are 'rest periods', but they're usually in European or American cities where Sebastian can study with great teachers.

David and Polly, the parents, both love travelling. They're musicians and artists themselves, and are convinced that the children love being 'world citizens' as much as they do. However after four years of travelling, the children - including Sebastian - long to have a stable home, and to see their grandparents in England again. They find it impossible to tell their parents of their wishes, since Sebastian is earning huge amounts of money and is under contract, and Polly is convinced that the family must always stay together. But at last they do visit the UK and after chatting to her grandparents, Myra begins a low-key campaign to find them a permanent base.

I do like Noel Streatfeild's books! They're intended for children of age eight and upwards; I read and enjoyed most of them when I was around nine or ten, then I read them again in my teens, and still re-read them from time to time as an adult. 'Apple Bough', which was first published in 1962, is one of my favourites. It's a lovely book to curl up with when I need a bit of time to myself. It's not all that long, under 200 pages, so I can read it in a couple of hours without a break.

It's primarily a character-based novel, and inevitably in a short book there's some low-key caricature. While Myra and Sebastian are very well-rounded people and I can relate quite strongly to Myra, their younger siblings Wolfie and Ettie are a little larger than life. Both are strongly extraverted, and also artistically talented: Wolfie being a natural actor, and Ettie a highly promising ballet dancer.

The parents David and Polly are delightful, and clearly adore their children. But it's hard to imagine quite such a vague and dreamy couple travelling the world and keeping track of their family so successfully. They employ a governess, Miss Popple, who is rather typecast for the role: comfortable and organised, gradually taking charge not just of the children's education but of the food and housework, and general management of the family.

It's not the kind of book that would appeal to children whose main literary diet is 'Goosebumps' and the like, but for a thoughtful or creative child I would recommend it highly. I used to love reading about 'successful' children in the arts world, even though my own talents were always more home-based, like those of Myra.

Some of Noel Streatfeild's books are intended mainly for girls, but this one would appeal to either gender; one of my sons has read several of her books and very much enjoyed them. It could also work well as a read-aloud book for any age - the chapters aren't too long, and there's plenty to interest an adult as well as a child. The idea of children being unable to communicate their deepest wishes to their parents struck home with me quite forcibly as I re-read this book recently, and could lead to some interesting conversations.

Overall it's a nostalgic book, describing as it does a more relaxed way of life where strangers were generally to be trusted, and children could feel a positive pride in their abilities and their nationality without this causing any difficulties. Of course it's escapism - life wasn't so idealistic even in the 1960s - but then I like my entertainment to be positive and relaxing.

There's a little light humour now and again, and some quite moving sections too when the children are prepared to sacrifice their own desires to keep the family harmonious. The ending is deeply satisfying; not entirely unexpected, but heart-warming and encouraging.

Definitely recommended, to anyone over the age of about eight.