Oh there's no Golly

The 'past' seems to have been responsible for the creation of many ideas. In fact many films, books, songs and even photos, are partly or exact, rip offs from the past? This brings me to the topic of today- The return of our little friend with the blue hat- Noddy!

Enid Blyton created the Noddy stories in 1949. For those who do not know-Noddy is a little wooden toy (Pinnochio without the long nose I guess), who runs away from home and is discoved all naked by the old Brownie Big Ears. (Now as relationships go, this one was rather dodgy in terms of what Big Ears wanted I am sure)

Anyway Noddy moved to Toyland where his adventures begin. (Strangely at his age he could even drive, and owned a car-great message for kids).

The storys were published until around 1963 and were hugely popular for decades thereafter. .

Now, after 45 Noddyless years, Enid's grandaughter has decided to revive the Noddy character.

Sophie Smallwood, who claims to be an author (yet I guess, not a successful one, as she is using granny's ideas for fame and fortune and not her own) is set to reintroduce Noddy to our modern times. She is retaining most of the characters, to stay 'true to the stories' (even bringing backing back that paedophilic character, Big Ears).

But, being terribly politicly correct, she has banished the Golliwogs from the 'new' stories due to their racial reference. This was also done in later reprints of old Noddy books as well, replacing them with other characters (below).Yet she has retained the underage driving concept.

Gollywogs were created in 1895 by Florence Upton, based on her dolls- Black Faced Minstrel Dolls. She had a whole string of picture books published about these characters. They were later made into dolls and were very popular toys for male children.(I kid you not)

However, it seems in the 1950's, race crept in (surprise, it always seems to), and Gollywog became a derogatory term for black people. Although, I am sure Enid wrote them in as toys for Noddy, which they were at the time, and with Nod's living in Toyland, well......he was surrounded by, this may have been missed by many- toys. (Enid spelled her character- Golliwog)

Two points about this- firstly, if she was going to go the politically correct route, surely she should have looked at Big Ears and their close friendship (I mean look at child abuse issues today) and of course the appearance she supports underage driving.(Proof above) The Golliwog is what it is- a toy. Why look at it as some racial slur? It is a toy character, residing in Toyland, where I guess toys live.

And second point- why do people with seemingly limited talent, piggy back their attempts of success on other's success.