Magic Faraway Tree Set (4 book set)

Product Information

The first title of the main trilogy, The Enchanted Wood, was published in 1939, although the Faraway Tree and Moon-Face had already made a brief appearance in 1936 in The Yellow Fairy Book. A picture-strip book, Up the Faraway Tree, was published in 1951. Over the years, the Faraway Tree stories have been illustrated by various artists including Dorothy M. Wheeler (first editions), Rene Cloke, Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone, and Georgina Hargreaves. [1] The Enchanted Wood [ edit ] First edition, 1939 First edition, 1943 First edition, 1946 Rather than this being a review of the book, I'm going to use this space mainly to rant and get out all my angry feels about the 'updating' of Enid Blyton's books. I've loved this book for nearly 18 years now and I encourage anyone, adult or child to try and find an original unedited Enid Blyton book to read. As a general review, this book is about three very close-knit siblings that work hard to complete their chores around the house and are subsequently rewarded with free time and adventures with magical folk. The ideal life, really. This was written in 1939 but I think it's still a fun read for kids of today. This edition was printed in the early nineties and does still contain elements which I think have been removed now. Obviously Golliwogs have been removed, however I read a few years ago that Dame Slap was considered problematic so not sure if she is still about. Slapping is a big storyline, so not sure what they replaced her with! The Magic Faraway Tree: A New Adventure by Jacqueline Wilson was published in May 2022. [4] Adaptations [ edit ] Film [ edit ]

It is difficult to tell whether all of this is real or just the vivid dreams of a child's imagination. We cannot see this would as an adult, only as a child, and whether this world is imaginary or not, it is irrelevant because it is the children that see, experience, and consider this world to be real. The Enchanted Wood is simply just that, a magical wood inhabited by magical creatures. In the middle of the wood is the Magic Faraway Tree, a tree that grows right up to the clouds and from the top of the tree you can travel to magical worlds. However, if you stay too long you the land will move on and you will not be able to return to the tree. The tree is also inhabited by a number of characters. At the top of the tree is Moon-face, a friendly man who loves his toffee. There are also a number of other characters, such as Wat-is-name, the angry pixie, and Mrs Washalot. Prepare to escape to the land of make-believe with The Complete Faraway Tree Adventures 10 Stories Collection by legendary and classic author, Enid Blyton. Alexander Antscherl, editorial director at Enid Blyton Entertainment, said: “The book has got some nods to gender equality between girls and boys, which you didn’t always see in the original books. They unlatched the gate and stood in the lane. they could see the trees in the wood, and hear them talking their strange tree-talk: ‘Wish-wisha-wisha-wisha!’ Mr. Watzisname cannot remember his name. He sleeps and snores all the time. During a particular story at the Land of Secrets, Mr. Watzisname discovers his name, Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo, then forgets it almost immediately as it is so long;

Mrs Wilson has form when it comes to updating literary classics. She previously wrote modern versions of Five Children and It and The Railway Children, the Edith Nesbit stories, and Susan Coolidge’s What Katy Did. And keep in mind this is all about the adventure and that these books are essentially for kids. In fact, these books make an excellent start to get your kids reading and enjoying the written word. So, as an adult, don't be critical of the glaring irregularities of life - for example when the kids go to the Faraway Tree in the middle of the night and return early morning and their Mother doesn't really seem to mind. Be prepared also that within the group, it is Jo who predominantly takes control and makes the decisions. When at home Bessie and Fanny have to do 'female' chores with their Mother like sewing and Jo has to do 'male' chores with their Father like working the garden. I point this out ahead of reading - IT IS NOT SEXIST, it was just a reflection of the times when Blyton wrote these fantastic books.

But when Moon-Face expresses a Blyton-esque sentiment about girls being required to help with domestic tasks, while boys do something more exciting, he is immediately educated on the subject of gender equality.In the story, there is a reference to Moonface asking Silky the fairy to help around the home. Mia tells him that he has sexist expectations of Silky, and explains why he should not say that.” Given the recent furore over rewriting Roald Dahl, I wonder if we'll ever get justice for the Faraway Tree?