Magic Faraway Tree Set (4 book set)

Product Information

Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's. But in this and some other modern editions, the corporal punishment – and any sense of threat – has just been silently removed.

Over the years, the Faraway Tree stories have been illustrated by various artists including Dorothy Wheeler, Rene Cloke, Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone and Georgina Hargreaves. Faraway Tree Books, Stories and Games Jo, Bessie and Fanny come to live at the edge of the Enchanted Wood where the trees, "a darker green than usual," whisper their secrets: "Wisha-wisha-wisha." In the wood is the Faraway Tree — a huge tree inhabited by fairy-folk and laden with fruit of all kinds from acorns to lemons. Its topmost branches lead to ever-changing magical lands above the swirling clouds. When I read that Enid Blyton was one the favorite childhood authors of the likes of Neil Gaiman and Stieg Larsson, and when a British exchange student at my daughter's college exclaimed in surprise when she heard that her American friends had never heard of Enid Blyton, my curiosity was aroused. It turns out, Blyton is the 4th most translated author (after Shakespeare), wrote 700 books for children, and last year (2009) was voted favorite British author in one poll (beating out J.K. Rowling). In this novel we are introduced to the lives of a family with 3 young children, Jo, Bessie and Fanny.Given the recent furore over rewriting Roald Dahl, I wonder if we'll ever get justice for the Faraway Tree? So I say to anyone, read this to your young kids, it is brilliant. Full of fantasy and adventure but really simplified. There are no in-depth plots, it is just one adventure after another, no slow character build-ups, just in your face - these are the characters, now let's go. One day they discover a tree which seems larger than the others and decide to climb it, uncovering a host of magical people and creatures that actually live in between the branches in cosy little homes. Please be aware that the delivery time frame may vary according to the area of delivery - the approximate delivery time is usually between 1-2 business days. Delivery with Standard Australia Post usually happens within 2-10 business days from time of dispatch. Please be aware that the delivery time frame may vary according to the area of delivery and due to various reasons, the delivery may take longer than the original estimated timeframe.

When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to the countryside, they discover that their new house lies next to the Enchanted Wood! And in that wood stands the Magic Faraway Tree. This is no ordinary tree - it is home to more magical lands full of elves, pixies, talking creatures and wonderful adventures than the children ever imagined possible! We read this as a class book, and I admit I wasn't a fan. I found it simplistic, a little dull and frankly the children are not that engaged either. Despite enjoying Moon face, Joe, Beth and Fannie are not interesting characters to follow, nor are the lands they visit given enough feeling to make it worth it.For the 1% of you who don't know, Jo, Bessie, and Fanny (yes this is the non PC edition) move from the city to the country with their parents. They live in a cottage near some woods and when they explore the woods they find a whole bunch of exciting creatures and all of the animals can talk. In the middle of the woods is the world's tallest tree, know I find it hard to find an aspect of the Faraway Tree Stories that I can hate or dislike, these were the stories I begun reading for myself at the age of nine, and ever since I have made a habit of returning to them at least once a year never wanting to forget the magic of the stories and how they became such a large part of my childhood. Who could forget the Land of Spells or the Land of Do-As-You-Please or The Land of Take-What-You-Want? Those being just a few of my most loved lands atop the magical Faraway Tree.

I will always know Enid Blyton as the author whose name is written so unclear on the books, to my non-English eyes, it could be read as Enicl, Gnid, or Enid. So for many many many years I never actually knew what the name really is. The Magic Faraway Tree Collection contains all three much-loved books in the Faraway Tree series by the world’s best-loved children’s author, Enid Blyton. But this is no ordinary tree. It is home to more magical lands full of elves, pixies, talking creatures and wonderful adventures!I did enjoy some of the characters Moon-face in particular but the Saucepan man really winds me up he's the most annoying a repetitive character ever created. I was hoping for more substance in this book and it explains why I never remembered anything that happened. A truly magical book that I have read way more than just this one time. I am pretty sure I read it multiple times a year from the first time I got my copy. Anytime I want to escape and just be free, this book is one of my go to books. The characters are so real to me even in all their fantasticness. It never bothers me that their mother doesn't question why Moon-Face looks the way he does or how a squirrel can talk. It never seemed strange that she didn't notice they would sneak out or that they spent most of their time up an enchanted tree. I experienced every land they went to as if I was there with them. Sometimes we all just need a little bit of magic and this book always has a way of giving me what I need.