The Stick family - with a name like that, they must be evil

The second book in the series and already the shape and outline is being standardized. Not boring but recognizable as part of the most famous series of Enid Blyton. Kirrin Cottage as basis, Kirrin Island as refuge, tunnels, secret passages, ruins, many, many meals, hiding, following, uncle Quentin who does not believe the children, ...
The Stick family is presented as pure evil, while this is true for the parents, the child is more a pathetic case of a retard. Sadly Blyton lets the others mock and take advantage of the poor kid, admittedly an obnoxious one, but more in need of psychiatric help than being made a fool of.
Of course the five are just sterotypes themselves, considered "normal" at the time of writing.
Fun to read, adventurous outdoors, humor, short chapters packed with action.
This is more than the many times filmed episode in the series.