Lynne Reid Banks (1929–2024)
Author of The Indian in the Cupboard
About the Author
Lynne Reid Banks was born in London, England on July I929. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she acted and wrote for the repertory stage.Eventually, she turned to journalism, becoming one of Britain's first female television news reporters. Banks was fired from her job as a show more reporter, and while working a different job, she wrote her first novel, which went on to become a best seller. show less
Series
Works by Lynne Reid Banks
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1929-07-31
- Date of death
- 2024-04-04
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Barnes, London, England, UK
- Cause of death
- cancer
- Places of residence
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (evacuated|WWII)
Israel (1962-1971)
Dorset, England, UK
Shepperton, London, England, UK - Education
- St Theresa's School, Effingham, Surrey, England, UK
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Italia Conti Academy - Occupations
- actor
journalist
teacher
writer - Relationships
- Stevenson, Chaim (husband)
- Awards and honors
- Action for Children's Arts (J. M. Barrie Award|2013)
- Short biography
- Lynne Reid Banks was born in London. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she acted and wrote for the repertory stage. Later, she turned to journalism, becoming one of Britain's first female television news reporters. In 1962 she emigrated to Israel, where she married a sculptor, had three sons and taught for eight years in a kibbutz. She now lives with her husband in England. She writes, travels, and visits schools, at home and abroad, full-time.
Members
Discussions
Yellow JuvFic, Honeybee Adventure in Name that Book (January 2012)
Fantasy - pregnant (?) woman in a suburb finds a tiny fairy in her back garden. Fights evil fairy q in Name that Book (April 2010)
Reviews
3.5*
I first read this years ago as a child and have just been rereading it with my kids. Plot wise, I didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as the original. It had its moments but just wasn’t as enjoyable a read. The cultural disrespect and racial insensitivity is still present, though a bit less intense than in the first.
I first read this years ago as a child and have just been rereading it with my kids. Plot wise, I didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as the original. It had its moments but just wasn’t as enjoyable a read. The cultural disrespect and racial insensitivity is still present, though a bit less intense than in the first.
I adored this book as a child in the early ‘90s and was excited to reread it with my sons. I still love the magical premise of the story, as did my kids. Being able to bring toys to life is basically every kid’s dream, after all.
When I originally read this book 30 years ago, it was a very different time. I’m not excusing anything as ok; it was just different, and society has since learned better. That said, even though I love the story, I cringed and edited all the way through reading it with my children. It did present opportunities for educational and edifying discussions about racism, stereotypes, and cultural respect and appreciation.
I’d love to see this series rewritten with collaborators of Haudenosaunee heritage and expertise. It would take a full rewrite, though, to scrub all the problematic bits and reframe certain aspects of the story. It has a lot of good in it, but there’s also a lot that would benefit from a heavy update.… (more)
When I originally read this book 30 years ago, it was a very different time. I’m not excusing anything as ok; it was just different, and society has since learned better. That said, even though I love the story, I cringed and edited all the way through reading it with my children. It did present opportunities for educational and edifying discussions about racism, stereotypes, and cultural respect and appreciation.
I’d love to see this series rewritten with collaborators of Haudenosaunee heritage and expertise. It would take a full rewrite, though, to scrub all the problematic bits and reframe certain aspects of the story. It has a lot of good in it, but there’s also a lot that would benefit from a heavy update.… (more)
Lists
Female Author (1)
Five star books (1)
4th Grade Books (1)
Sonlight Books (1)
For My Kids (1)
1980s (4)
1990s (2)
Read in 1999 (1)
Overdue Podcast (1)
Books About Boys (1)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 59
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 25,490
- Popularity
- #820
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 239
- ISBNs
- 570
- Languages
- 13
- Favorited
- 5
A middle grade fantasy that feels like a bedtime story a parent makes up as she goes along, in the sense that it seems a little hodgepodge with “and then…and then…” vibes. Which isn’t necessarily all that bad, although the writing could be a little less clunky.… (more)