I bought a copy of Candy Floss by Rumer Godden when I went to the book fair at Tynemouth in Northumberland back in the Autumn. The book was published in 1959.

I have most of Rumor Godden’s books so I would have bought this one anyway as I didn’t have it already, but I was really attracted by the illustrations, which were done by Adrienne Adams.

Candy Floss was probably aimed at seven or eight year old girls, but it’s good for ‘children’ of all ages!

Candy Floss is a special doll, she’s made from china but isn’t particularly fancy, in fact her clothes don’t even come off as they’re glued to her body. She’s owned by Jack who has a cocoanut* shy at a fair and he believes that she brings him luck. Many people have tried to buy Candy Floss from him as she has such a sweet face, but she’s not for sale.

Clementina is a spoiled rotten little girl and when she says she wants Candy Floss her father asks to buy her from Jack, with no luck. Clementina can hardly believe it, she ALWAYS gets what she wants. But apparently not this time, so Clementina decides to steal Candy Floss.  When they get home Clementina puts Candy Floss into her dolls’ house, a place that Candy Floss has never been and she doesn’t like it. Of course the spoiled Clementina doesn’t take care of Candy Floss and in no time she has a big crack in her body, loose eyes and her dress is torn. Candy Floss just wants to get back to Jack and the cocoanut shy.

After more adventures and jeopardy she gets back to the fair and Clementina learns an important lesson of course!

You can see some Adrienns Adams illustrations for different books here.

*This is how coconut was spelled in the book.