We Couldn't Leave Dinah facts for kids
Front cover of unknown early edition
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| Author | Mary Treadgold |
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| Illustrator | Stuart Tresilian (first ed.) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's war novel, pony book |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
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Publication date
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1941 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 272 pp (first edition) |
| OCLC | 41974333 |
| LC Class | PZ7.T6893 Le PZ7.T6893 We2 |
| Followed by | The Polly Harris |
We Couldn't Leave Dinah is an exciting children's book written by Mary Treadgold. It was first published in 1941. This adventure story takes place on a made-up island in the English Channel. The story happens during World War II, when the island is taken over by German forces. Mary Treadgold won the 1941 Carnegie Medal for this book. This award is given to the best children's book of the year.
In the United States, the book was first called Left Till Called For. It was published in the same year, 1941. Later, in 1964, it was published again with its original title.
Contents
Story of the Book
This book is set during the summer holidays at the start of World War II. The Templeton family lives on a fictional island called Clerinel. This island is located in the English Channel. The Templeton children are all members of the local Pony Club. Caroline rides her lively pony, Dinah. Her brother Mick rides a calmer pony named Punch. Their younger brother rides a chubby pony called Bellman.
Island Invasion Plans
Rumors begin to spread that German forces might invade Clerinel. The Germans had already taken over the nearby Channel Islands. Clerinel's location and landscape make it a perfect spot. It could be used to launch an invasion of the South Coast of England. Mr. Templeton talks about leaving the island with his children. Caroline is very upset by this idea. She famously says, "We couldn't leave Dinah."
The Fancy-Dress Carnival
Peter Beaumarchais, the Pony Club's chairman, plans a fancy-dress carnival. This event is for their Anniversary Day celebration in mid-September. Caroline decides to dress as Elaine, the Lily Maid of Astolat. Mick chooses to be a simple local fisherboy. He borrows clothes from Petit-Jean, a stable-boy. During the party, Caroline sees some unfamiliar riders in costumes. These riders turn out to be German invaders. They use the fancy dress to easily get into the Martello tower.
Hiding from the Germans
The English residents quickly leave the island. But Caroline and Mick are accidentally left behind in the rush. Their home is taken over by the German general. So, they camp out in some caves. These caves have been set up like stables for ponies. With help from Peter, they manage to stay hidden. They also plan how they will escape from the island.
Discovering Spies
Later, Mick finds a secret message and decodes it. He realizes that there are spies working for the English on the island. Mick believes he can help find useful information. He offers to teach Nannerl, the German general's granddaughter, how to ride. Nannerl joins the Pony Club. When Caroline finally leaves the island, she feels Dinah is safe. She trusts the German girl to look after her pony until they can return.
Main Characters
Here are some of the important characters in the story:
- The English Characters
- Caroline Templeton: A thirteen-year-old girl who loves her pony, Dinah.
- Mick Templeton: Her fourteen-year-old brother, who is brave and clever.
- Thomas Templeton: Their seven-year-old younger brother.
- Mr. Templeton: Their father. Their mother is stuck in Africa because of the war.
- Alison & Nicholas Lindsay, Pam Lawrence, Rosemary Ellis, Richard Penfold: Other members of the Pony Club.
- Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence: Pam's parents.
- Commander Seymour: A naval officer.
- The French Islanders
- Peter Beaumarchais: The president of the Pony Club.
- Monsieur Beaumarchais: Peter's father.
- Petit-Jean: The Templetons' stable-boy.
- Meurice & Pierre le Mesurier: Fishermen from the island.
- Jacques Dupuy: Their cousin.
- The German Characters
- General Schleicher: The leader of the German forces occupying the island.
- Nannerl Schleicher: His eight-year-old granddaughter.
- Karl Muller: Nannerl's "Cousin Karl." He is also known as "Blue Feather" and led the fancy-dress riders.
- Friedel & Heidi: The Schleichers' maids.
What Happens Next
Caroline and Mick Templeton appear again in another book. It is called The Polly Harris (1949). In this story, they do not have their ponies with them. They are sent to summer school to improve their school grades. They are not happy about being stuck in London. But they soon find Prettyman's Hard. This is a small community hidden by the river in an old part of the city. It turns out to be very exciting. Mick and Caroline are thrilled when their new friends, the Gotchkisses, plan a trip to Australia. They also help to uncover a case of fraud.
How the Book Was Written
We Couldn't Leave Dinah is more than a typical pony book. Mary Treadgold wrote it because she was unhappy with many of the horse and pony books she saw. She was a children's editor at Heinemann. She thought many of them were "quite frightful." In September 1940, during air raids, she decided to write her own book. She said, "I could do better myself!"
This was her very first book. It won the Carnegie Medal. Some people thought the award was given too early. They felt it wasn't her best writing. She might have won because there wasn't much competition during the war. However, the book was still printed for over forty years.
Other Stories Mentioned
Caroline reads Tennyson's Idylls of the King. Because of this, she chooses to dress as the romantic hero Elaine for the fancy-dress party. Later in the story, Caroline compares their sad mood to the adventurous kids in other popular books. She thinks about the children from Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series and M. E. Atkinson's Lockett family. These families appear in books like August Adventure and Mystery Manor. Caroline thinks about how these characters are always finding exciting adventures.
