as young children we read a book I think called the three brownies -
witch green eyes tricked them into spiriting away the princess and
they had to go off to find their goodness - along the way they met the
dragon bird and the tin pan man (I think he was called that) - I used
to think it was enid blyton but I can't find it nohow

Dear little3-ga, 

You were in the right track. I believe the book is The Book of
Brownies by Enid Blyton, first published 1951.
Here are some descriptions of the story which match your recollection.

"The Book of Brownies which was published by George Newnes Ltd. The
King of Fairyland gave a party, but the three naughty brownies, Hop,
Skip and Jump, weren't invited. So they were delighted when old witch
Green-Eyes offered to help them get in without an invitation if they
would pretend to be conjurers and do what she told them."
http://histclo.hispeed.com/bio/b/blyton/ebillus.html


"hi...yes I do have a copy of the same book, The Book Of Brownies.
Perhaps you recall some epidode from the book your sister read to you?
the book that I have is about three brownies called Hop, Skip and Jump
and their quest to find a princess who has disappered because of a
spell they unknowningly cast on her."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enidblyton/message/689


"Three brownies, Hop, Skip and Jump, set out to rescue the Princess
from Witch Green-eyes, and get mixed up in all sorts of adventures."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/074970814X/026-5987988-4834827


The book is available second hand from various sources. Use this
search term or link to find them.
"Book of Brownies " blyton
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22Book+of+Brownies+%22+blyton

For instance, these two sites offer copies.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/ref=sr_sp_go_as/026-5987988-4834827
http://www.abetitles1.com/Title/404507/Book+of+Brownies.html

Or on ebay use this search term or use the link.
enid blyton book of brownies
http://search.ebay.com/enid-blyton-book-of-brownies_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQsonewuserZ1QQfromZR10QQcoactionZcompareQQcopagenumZ1QQcoentrypageZsearch


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder

Successful search strategy
"witch green eyes"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22witch+green+eyes%22&btnG=Search&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
"Book of Brownies " blyton
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22Book+of+Brownies+%22+blyton

---

Clarification of Answer by answerfinder-ga on 11 Jul 2004 05:14 PDT

Sorry, I just noted you specifically requested the ?isbn, author
publisher and title of the book?.  These are extracts from the British
Library catalogue which shows the information for the various editions
and publications of the book.

Title: Book of Brownies. Enid Blyton 
Author: Blyton. Enid 
Edition: New ed 
Publication details: Mammoth. 1992 
Description: [192]p. 18cm. pbk 
ISBN: 074970814x. m 

Title: Book of brownies 
Author: Blyton. Enid 
Publication details: Dean. 1967 
Description: 175p.,ill.,19cm 
Notes: Originally published (B51-6514), Newnes 1951 

Title: The Book of Brownies ... Illustrated by Ernest Aris. 
Main heading: BLYTON. Enid Mary 
Publication details: pp. 160. George Newnes: London, [1951.] 8o. 

Title: The Book of Brownies ... Illustrated by Ernest Aris. 
Title: [A reissue.]. The Book of Brownies, etc. 
Main heading: BLYTON. Enid Mary 
Publication details: London, 1954. 8o.

very quick, very useful response including related links