Category Archives: Puffin Club

Puffin Post no.1 pages 7 and 8

1966, Kaye Webb, Puffin Club, Puffin Post

Here is the correspondents page – well, letters to Kaye that became the first letters to Puffin Post. The comments could have been made yesterday! (Apart from the lack of reference to the internet, mobile phones and JK Rowling!). The facing page is the first of three pages to tease and test the avid reader of 1966. Can you identify who the first three are?

I’m pleased to say that I scored rather well, as did my daughters.

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Nov 2008

Puffin Post no.1 pages 5 and 6

Alan Garner, Kaye Webb, Puffin Club, Puffin Post

It’s only been a couple of days, but this one was very easy to prepare. Here is the very first author ‘profile’ article. This is a lot of fun for a tiny piece.

I remember the days when Harry Potter didn’t grace our shelves – the only books of magic that made the ‘hot list’ were by the likes of Alan Garner, Susan Cooper (Dark is Rising Sequence) and Tolkien.

As a little aside, it seems strange today to know that Kaye Webb’s predecessor, Eleanor Graham, rejected The Hobbit as she thought children wouldn’t be interested! It was probably a sign that it was time for someone new to take the reins! Kaye spotted Stig of the Dump, which had been rejected by the other publishing houses (and it’s still in print!).

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Nov 2008

Puffin Post no.1 pages 3 and 4

Jill McDonald, Kaye Webb, Puffin Club, Puffin Post

Slightly earlier than planned – here are pages 3 and 4! Of course, now that we have digital presses and (almost) everything is computerised, things have changed slightly. It’s funny to have a Puffin Post without the presence of Jill McDonald on every page – but important none the less.

For those who are interested, the first Puffin Post was only 10.5cm x 7cm – the same size as the old membership books!

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Nov 2008

Puffin Post no.1 pages 1 and 2

Kaye Webb, Puffin Club, Puffin Post


Here are the promised first pages of Puffin Post number 1 (in fact I don’t think it can really be said to have a number, but I have to call it something). It’s wonderful to read Kaye’s words in the light of the rebirth of the club. It’s very poignant considering the upcoming 70th anniversary of Puffin books.

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Oct 2008

How rare is this?

1966, Kaye Webb, Puffin Club, Puffin Post

Very rare! This is the cover of the very first Puffin Post – pre Puffin Club – which was circulated in selected books in 1966. We are very lucky that Ruth saved this amazing piece of history. As you would expect, it hasn’t escaped some wear and tear, but it has been kept very well and restoring this has proved less eye-crossing than most.

To view the ENTIRE contents of this slice of Puffinalia, return to this blog in the weeks leading up to Christmas and I will endeavour to get it posted fairly regularly.

Thanks again Ruth!

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Oct 2008

What’s wrong with me – another Puffin Envelope!

envelope, Jill McDonald, Puffin Club, Puffin Post

This is a lovely example of the earlier envelope graphics that sported the coloured paper. It doesn’t have the flamboyant look of the later envelopes, but it has such charm a playfulness about it that I can see why it was saved.

This is the only example of the early graphic that I have seen (I only ever received the later envelopes when I was a member) I would love to see any other examples if any of you out there would like me to work my restorers art on them.

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Oct 2008

Yet more coverage in the Press!

Press, Puffin Club, Puffin Post, Telegraph

… and the new club has the seal of approval from Madonna! It’s official – it’s in the Telegraph!

I like to think that it means that more children will have the opportunity to find pleasure in something that doesn’t have a screen or go ‘beep’!

I was interviewed by James Vaughan, the author of the piece, to give some background as an old member of the club and my views on its future. It was a pleasant experience and I feel optimistic about the future for the new Puffineers. Before anyone thinks I am benefiting from all this press attention – I’ve done it all for free! If it gets a few kids reading, it’ll be worth it.

link to the Telegraph article

The next time you tear open that envelope…

envelope, Jill McDonald, Puffin Club, Puffin Post


…you might want to think again! This is another image from Ruth’s collection. These wonderful one colour pictures were printed on the envelopes that contained the precious copies of Puffin Post when they landed on your doormat. It certainly left you in no doubt as to what had arrived.

As always, these were drawn by Jill McDonald. Having now seen some examples of Jill’s original work, I have begun to get an idea of how she worked. All of the beautiful line drawings that appeared in Puffin Post appear to have been drawn without guide pencil lines and drafted straight onto what looks like layout paper. Those of you with a background in old fashioned graphic art will know what that means! However she worked, I have yet to find a piece of her work that isn’t beautifully proportioned and carefully considered.

Thanks Jill!

Image from the collection of Ruth – Founder member 1487 – Restored S. Hassan Oct 2008