FOR YOUNG READERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29324, 1 October 1960, Page 3

FOR YOUNG READERS

In an earlier book, “Tell Me About the Saints,** Mary Cousins had a rather unexpected success, and it seems likely that she may repeat this with her latest volume, “More About the Saints” (Hutchinson, 159 pp.). The saints described in the present book are chosen from those who lived between the first and the sixteenth centuries, beginning with St. John the Evangelist and ending with St. John of God. "More About the Saints” is not an easy book to describe; for the stories in it differ greatly in length, some occupying only two or three pages, others being very much longer. The variety of experience recorded is surprising, too; in fact the only thing' saints seem to have in common is their love of God and. their capacity for being happy in the most unpromising circumstances. Some of those described by Miss Cousins are people of great importance in secular history, people like Thomas of Canterbury, Louis of France and Joan of Arc; and it is particularly interesting to read about them considered from a more spiritual point of view. “More About the Saints” will certainly attract young people who already have the appropriate background, and many adults would also find it a most rewarding book.

Pamela Mansbridge’s latest story for girls is called HOLIDAY IN LONDON (Nelsqn, '2ll pp.). It is about a group of Americans in England and develops this situation in an interesting way. Rhona Preston, an actress of some celebrity, takes her 14-year-old niece. Mary Blake, to London with her, while she herself is making a film. Mary’s excitement at this unexpected. trip is somewhat dashed, when she learns she is to have her distant cousin Annabel for company. Annabel is much older than she is. and is hopelessly stage-struck. Everyone except Annabel herself can see she has no talent, but her sense of frustration makes her a difficult companion. She even thinks her famous aunt is thwarting her career. Naturally she has little time to spare for Mary, who is rather a loose end until she meets two English schoolgirls, Pat and Sue Wright, in Hyde Park. After that, sight-seeing becomes more interesting. Of course, there is the' usual complication of some missing jewels and consequent misplaced suspicions; but “Holiday in London” tells an attractive story in spite of the triteness of part of the theme. ¥