Enid Blyton is a renowned British children's author who created a fantastic world of wonder and adventure through her books. One of her most popular series is "The Magic Faraway Tree." This series consists of four books: "The Enchanted Wood," "The Magic Faraway Tree," "The Folk of the Faraway Tree," and "Up the Faraway Tree." "The Magic Faraway Tree" revolves around a group of children named Jo, Bessie, and Fanny, who discovered an enchanted wood near their new home. In this wood, they soon stumble upon an enormous, magical tree – The Faraway Tree. This tree has many fascinating branches, each leading to a different land.
Previously we had read a couple of chapter books that they enjoyed immensely - Two Times the Fun and Three Tales of My Father's Dragon - but this was the one that closed the deal.
Many wants their children to read encyclopedias and stuffs like that to make their kids brighter and smarter, thus robbing off the magical world of childhood. Dame Washalot of whom we don t hear about all that much, loses her temper in one chapter and displays quite alarming strength by throwing the children, Moon-Face and the Saucepan Man up into one of the strange lands.
This tree has many fascinating branches, each leading to a different land. The main characters become friends with the tree's occupants – Moon-Face, Silky, and Saucepan Man. These characters add to the enchantment of the stories, as they guide the children through their extraordinary adventures in the different lands.
Enid blytoon the magic fataway tree
This is THE book.
The book that made my 3 and half year old twins fall head over heels in love with chapter books.
A book of:
248 pages,
32 chapters
and each chapter about 7-8 pages.
Previously we had read a couple of chapter books that they enjoyed immensely - Two Times the Fun and Three Tales of My Father's Dragon - but this was the one that closed the deal.
The Enchanted Wood (the first of the three Faraway Tree books) steamrolled its way straight into the hearts of my two little pumpkins.
Although it didn't surprise me, I guess their mom was caught unprepared!
Three year olds running after me around the house, asking for one, two, three more chapters? More, more!!
"Next chapter. Next chapter. "
Well, it did happen.
When you chose an early read-aloud chapter book for your kids, leave this delicate job to a professional.
My kids did not stand a chance.
Yes, I take my hat off to this lady.
Most kids who read Blytons - they never forgot the experience.
As 5xMom blogger pointed out in her "Will the Enid Blyton’s fans please stand up?" post:
"It is a pity that some parents do not introduce Enid Blyton’s stories to their kids anymore. They are now in all those educational stuffs and focused too much on IQ, EQ and all the blehs of modern times.
Many wants their children to read encyclopedias and stuffs like that to make their kids brighter and smarter, thus robbing off the magical world of childhood."
I couldn't agree more.
Flashback Moment
I still remember the summer of 1980, when I was 10 years old.
My 13-year old brother and I went together to England for a month-long summer school in Royal Leamington Spa.
Yep, our parents sent just us the two of us travelling overseas by airplane to a summer school. Crazy.
It was possible. Those were the days.
Today authorities would probably take us aside at the airport thinking we were . well, who knows what they would think.
Leamington Spa (I don't remember the "Royal" part was part of the town's name back then) was great, but what made it really memorable was the fact that we dragged home a suitcase full of Enid Blyton's paperbacks.
We spent all our pocket money on Blyton books and we were in a hurry back home .. to read them!
Our bounty consisted mostly of the the Famous Five (21 novels, 1942–1963, based on four children and their dog), the Five Find-Outers and Dog, (15 novels, 1943–1961, where five children regularly outwit the local police) as well as the Secret Seven (15 novels, 1949–1963, a society of seven children who solve various mysteries).
(Thanks Wikipedia for the stats)
I've got good news for my twins, I saved all my Enid Blyton's. Yep, my babies - you still don't know about this treasure that is waiting for you!
More than a hundred Blytons are currently waiting in a bookcase in my mom's garage, until someone comes to pick them up. I'm going to make that trip soon!
And should I admit to you now that I already bought some four dozen new Blytons for my home library? Better not. We are reading them already.
| Enid Blyton |
It's not just me, I'm not the only one who is fondly remembering Enid.
Blyton certainly is one of the most successful children's storytellers of the twentieth century.
Lets just check what does the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) say about Enid Blyton?
More specifically the UNESCO Translationum database on most translated authors in the world:
- DISNEY (WALT) PRODUCTIONS 9425
- CHRISTIE, AGATHA 6589
- VERNE, JULES 4223
- SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM 3674
- BLYTON, ENID 3544
- LENIN, VLADIMIR IL'IC 3517
- CARTLAND, BARBARA 3406
- STEEL, DANIELLE 2942
- ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN 2877
- KING, STEPHEN 2732
- GRIMM, JAKOB 2518
- GRIMM, WILHELM 2508
- BIBLIA, N. T. 2292
Ooops. That's one mighty lady.
Blyton wrote more than 700 stories over a 40-year career and her books have sold more than 500million copies.
Oh yes, if you need any more proof:A research, commissioned to mark the 2008 Costa Book Awards in the UK, asked 2,000 adults to name their favourite authors.
Enid Blyton was named the most loved author of all time.
Only two contemporary writers - Rowling and Stephen King - made it into the top ten.
Jane Austen was fourth, William Shakespeare fifth, Charles Dickens sixth and J.R.R. Tolkien seventh.
Her persona is admittedly controversial and her books were allegedly not the favorites of many English librarians, but that's another story for another day.
I had decided a long time ago that The Enchanted Wood was going to be the "chapter book ice breaker" for my twins, but I was waiting for the right moment.
Not only did I not set a date when I would start reading chapter books, but I also eased them into it with books that contained shorter stories that could be read over
several days. So, we already introduced read-alouds that could be "broken up" into several days.
One day, I simply knew they were ready.
What I wasn't ready for - is how The Enchanted Wood swooped me up into the story too, as I never read it before.
There were once three children, called Jo, Bessie and Fanny. All their lives they had lived in a town, but now their father had a job in the country, so they were all to move as soon as they possibly could.As one reviewer somewhere said: "This is an underated book, just because Enid Blyton is considered out of fashion". I couldn't agree more.
So, don't miss it.
Since we finished reading The Enchanted Wood and its fantastic sequels The Magic Faraway Tree and The Folk of The Faraway Tree, I've been bombarded by requests from my twins to re-read them.
I'm saving this trio of books them as a treat. Maybe for a birthday? I don't know.
In The Enchanted Wood, the three children Jo, Bessie and Fanny (or Joe, Beth and Frannie - in the new politically corrected version of the book that was published recently) move to live in the countryside.
Their incredible adventure start when they start exploring The Enchanted Wood and discover the Faraway Tree, which is inhabited by fairy folk.
The three kids become best friends with the inhabitants of the Faraway Tree - Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy, with whom they discover new lands at the top of the
Faraway Tree.
The lands keep changing and in almost every chapter a new land comes, such magical lands as the Land of Spells, the Land of Treats, the Land of Do-As-You-
Please, the Land of Birthdays, Land of Toys and Dame Slap's school!
These are funny, exciting, magical adventures that will delight children again and again.
Any kind of land can arrive at the top of the tree and some lands are truly incredible. Just let your fantasy fly and imagine the Land of Do-As-You-Please, the Land-Of-Take-
What-You-Want or the Land of Goodies.
Even in these good lands our protagonists still face adversities and challenges that they overcome with the help of their friends from the Faraway Tree.
In addition to the heroic Moon-Face (who is like the best friend you could imagine), charming fairy Silky (a gentle soul that is the very image of goodness), funny and half-deaf Saucepanman (who carries saucepans and pots hanging around him), there is a wide range of colorful characters in this book that will capture the imagination of your listeners.
From the Angry Pixie to Dame Wash-a-lot, Dame Slap to Mr Watzisname!
My son was fascinated with the tasty Pop Biscuits (Pop Cakes in the new version) and Google Buns and Toffee Shocks - I will not reveal their secret powers!
Finally, inside the Faraway Tree - Moon-Face operates an incredible spiral slide that goes from the top to the bottom. The Slippery Slip!
Try to find a kid that will not get all excited about a ride on the Slippery Slip! I dare you!
Blyton world is a magic world of children's adventures outside the watchful eye of adults.
It is a world of complete freedom and possibilities.
A world that your kids deserve to experience as soon as possible.
Let them taste this sort of freedom even in the hyper-regulated 21 century, if nothing else - through a book.
Have you read Enid Blyton? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The Enchanted Wood is available from bookstores in the US:
and from other countries:
Or check out Audible audio editions of The Enchanted Wood (read marvelously by Kate Winslet) books below.
I included links to all three books on purpose because we listened to them over and over again in the car on our holidays. My twins simply loved Kate Winslet's reading of the Enchanted Wood trilogy - so I can't give you a higher recommendation than that!
I included links to all three books on purpose because we listened to them over and over again in the car on our holidays. My twins simply loved Kate Winslet's reading of the Enchanted Wood trilogy - so I can't give you a higher recommendation than that!
Every few days, the tree's topmost branches reach a new land. This concept introduces a sense of unpredictability and excitement, as the children never know which land they will visit next. These lands are filled with unique creatures, such as elves, brownies, and even talking animals. Enid Blyton expertly weaves together the children's interactions with the magical inhabitants of the lands. The stories highlight the importance of kindness, friendship, and bravery through the numerous challenges the characters face during their visits. "The Magic Faraway Tree" series captivates young readers with its imaginative storytelling, whimsical characters, and thrilling adventures. Enid Blyton's vivid descriptions transport readers to different lands, allowing them to use their own imaginations to visualize the magical world she has created. This series has remained a beloved classic among children and adults alike since its publication in the mid-20th century. The enduring popularity of "The Magic Faraway Tree" speaks to the timeless appeal of Enid Blyton's writing, which continues to inspire wonder and ignite imaginations to this day..
Reviews for "The Timelessness of Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree Stories"
1. Sarah Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Enid Blyton the Magic Faraway Tree." While I am usually a fan of Enid Blyton's work, this book felt lacking in comparison. The characters were not as well-developed, and the plot felt rushed and confused. I had a hard time getting into the story and the magic of the Faraway Tree just didn't resonate with me. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to other readers.
2. John Johnson - 1 star - I found "Enid Blyton the Magic Faraway Tree" to be highly overrated. The writing style was childish and simplistic, which made it difficult to engage with the story. The adventures the children had in the magical tree were repetitive and lacked imagination. The book also felt dated and the humor fell flat. I was hoping for a magical and enchanting experience, but I was sorely disappointed. Don't waste your time on this one.
3. Emily Thompson - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Enid Blyton the Magic Faraway Tree" based on the author's reputation, but unfortunately, it did not live up to them. The story felt disjointed and the characters were shallow. The magical elements were not well-explained and it often felt like things were happening just for the sake of it. There were moments of fun and adventure, but they were overshadowed by the overall lack of cohesiveness. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
4. Robert Anderson - 1 star - I regret picking up "Enid Blyton the Magic Faraway Tree." The plot was incredibly predictable and lacked any real excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The dialogue was forced and unrealistic. I struggled to finish the book and was left feeling unsatisfied. It's a shame because I had heard good things about Enid Blyton's work, but this particular book was a major disappointment. I won't be trying any of her other books based on this experience.