"OMG," I whispered, tears in my eyes. "If you had not said those words, I would never have remembered that book so long as I lived."
As soon as I got off the phone, I googled 'Hurdy Gurdy Gondelope' with my breath seized in my throat. Nothing. How odd. Maybe I miss-spelled it. 'Herdy Gerdy Gondelope', I typed.
Nothing.
'Herdy Gerdy Gondelope'
'Hurdy Gerdy Gondilope'
'Herdy Gurdey Gondaloap'
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
I was heart broken. I tried another dozen google-incantations, but nothing worked, so I let it go.
Then, today, for some unknown reason, I remembered it again, and I thought I'd try again. And to my utter delight, this is what I found - The No Such Thing by Penelope Janic. I had made the mistake of thinking the lead character was the book title.
I was ecstatic. I eBayed immediately and found an original (but somewhat pricey) edition and bought it on the spot.
Now all I have to do is wait by the post box in anticipation of reading this most beloved book to my own children.
Do you have a long lost childhood book you'd love to find?
How funny is that? I was searching through my old books looking for one to read with my 8 year old son. For some unknown reason, a book I really loved sprung to mind. All I could remember was a colourful and somewhat silly bird. It annoyed me all morning - I couldn't remember the title.
ReplyDeleteAn hour or so later it popped into my head... a book also written by Penelope Janic. (Although I didn't know that or recall your book until I started searching for mine)
Both were a big part of my childhood - I loved them both. Just found The No Such Thing on Ebay... now waiting for the Ha Ha Bird to appear :-)
Oh my goodness - what lovely synchronicity! and I know JUST the bird you're talking about! I read this book at a school recently - they invited people to come and read a favourite book from their childhood. The kinders I read it to were mesmerised. It's a gorgeous book. I'm so glad you found a copy!
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