'This is criticism at its best: assessing children's literature by focussing on what children love about it, rather that what adults detest ... [it] is one of those rare books which will appeal as much to readers and collectors as to the critical establishment whom Victor Watson is trying to re-educate. I cannot recommend it highly enough.' - Sue Sims, Children's Book History Society'This is that rare thing, an academic book that is as readable as the texts it investigates. Victor Watson's long practical and itellectual experience with children and children's literature informs every sentence of this elegantly written book. He has a braod view of what constitutes series writing, and that breadth is underpinned by a deatiled depth of knowledge of, and obvious love for, the majority of texts he deals with.' - Amanda Piesse, Children's Books in Ireland'... provides not only good arguments for reconsidering this neglected area of children's reading but also a thought provoking view of how children read in general and therefore what effect different kinds of writing and story telling may have on them.' - Books for Keeps

• Introduction: a room full of friends Part I: Innocence aboard: Swallows and Amazons 1.A fellowship of innocence 2.The storm before the calm 3.Nancy Blackett - champion of goodness Part II: Series galore 4.Camping and tramping fiction, 1920-1960 5.The great Nanny-Narrator an the children of the War 6.Malco Saville: the price paid Part III: Fantasy 7.The Borrowers: brief encounters and a little air 8.Watching passionately: Lucy Boston and the Green Knowe series 9.The sun inside the window, shining out: The Dark Is Rising quintet Part IV: In and out of school 10.Jane Austen has gone missing 11.The various voices of Gene Kemp Conclusion: an invisible excellence

'This is criticism at its best: assessing children's literature by focussing on what children love about it, rather that what adults detest ... [it] is one of those rare books which will appeal as much to readers and collectors as to the critical establishment whom Victor Watson is trying to re-educate. I cannot recommend it highly enough.' - Sue Sims, Children's Book History Society'This is that rare thing, an academic book that is as readable as the texts it investigates. Victor Watson's long practical and itellectual experience with children and children's literature informs every sentence of this elegantly written book. He has a braod view of what constitutes series writing, and that breadth is underpinned by a deatiled depth of knowledge of, and obvious love for, the majority of texts he deals with.' - Amanda Piesse, Children's Books in Ireland'... provides not only good arguments for reconsidering this neglected area of children's reading but also a thought provoking view of how children read in general and therefore what effect different kinds of writing and story telling may have on them.' - Books for Keeps

• Introduction: a room full of friends Part I: Innocence aboard: Swallows and Amazons 1.A fellowship of innocence 2.The storm before the calm 3.Nancy Blackett - champion of goodness Part II: Series galore 4.Camping and tramping fiction, 1920-1960 5.The great Nanny-Narrator an the children of the War 6.Malco Saville: the price paid Part III: Fantasy 7.The Borrowers: brief encounters and a little air 8.Watching passionately: Lucy Boston and the Green Knowe series 9.The sun inside the window, shining out: The Dark Is Rising quintet Part IV: In and out of school 10.Jane Austen has gone missing 11.The various voices of Gene Kemp Conclusion: an invisible excellence