The Fascinating Characters of the Magic Faraway Tree

The Magic Faraway Tree is a children's novel written by Enid Blyton. It is the second book in The Faraway Tree series. The story revolves around a magical tree that grows in an enchanted forest. This tree is called the Faraway Tree. The Faraway Tree is home to a variety of strange and wonderful creatures, such as Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, there is a different land that changes every few days.

I was spellbound by these stories as a girl, and they have gone on to enchant my children. Who better to renew the magic for a fresh generation?

The 11-year-old will undoubtedly see herself as far too grown up for it these days but I wouldn t be surprised if she finds herself in the vicinity, come story time. I read the three original Enid Blyton books many times as a child, marvelled at all the adventures and wished I could be Silky s best friend and share Moonface s toffee shocks.

At the top of the tree, there is a different land that changes every few days. These lands are magical and full of adventures. The main characters of the story are Joe, Beth, and Frannie.

Jacqueline Wilson is a perfect pick to reinvent Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree

I was spellbound by these stories as a girl, and they have gone on to enchant my children. Who better to renew the magic for a fresh generation?

I am a veteran reader of Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree books. I read them first growing up, and revelled in the thought of the different magical lands that could be reached at the top of an enormous tree – the Land of Take-What-You-Want! the Land of Goodies! Imagine being able to ask for an ice cream of any flavour, and going for sardine, as Connie did. Or flying on a dandelion seed in the Land of Giants. I dreamed of using a Slippery-Slip – the huge slide which goes down the centre of the tree. I imagined biting into a Hot Cold Goodie, or sucking a toffee shock. I wanted to creep past the Angry Pixie, watch Dame Washalot empty her buckets of water over Mr Watzisname (how much washing did she really need to do?), and make friends with Silky and Moonface.

Then I read the books to my eldest child – and found myself not as charmed as I’d hoped. The Saucepan Man in particular was a little creepy and as ever with Blyton, there’s editorialising to be done while reading out loud, if you don’t want the girls to be told to stand aside for the boys.

The Magic Faraway Tree by Jacqueline Wilson, to be published in May. Photograph: Hodder Children's Books

But! I could see how much she loved the stories, and so I read them again to my middle child, and then again to my youngest, and I found myself reluctantly acknowledging the Faraway Tree’s charms once more. After all, I’m not the target audience any more, and all three have been entranced by it. For each of them, The Enchanted Wood has been the title that moved them across from picture books to chapter books as a bedtime story. And every time, as we’ve begun it, I’ve watched that spark of imagination kindle in their eyes, as the children (in my day Jo, Bessie and Fanny, now Joe, Beth and Frannie) enter the wood, and hear the “wisha, wisha, wisha” of the trees whispering their secrets to each other.

So I’m delighted to hear that there’s going to be a new Faraway Tree story, by the mighty Jacqueline Wilson – the first in 75 years, and the first by an author who is not Blyton. Wilson seems perfect for the role – she’s already given us retellings of What Katy Did, Five Children and It and The Railway Children, and she was “a huge fan” of the books as a kid.

“I had such fun writing a brand-new Faraway Tree book,” says Wilson in the announcement. “I read the three original Enid Blyton books many times as a child, marvelled at all the adventures and wished I could be Silky’s best friend and share Moonface’s toffee shocks. It’s a privilege to be able to write about Blyton’s iconic characters and invent new children and magical creatures of my own for new readers to enjoy.”

In Wilson’s story, which is published in May, three new children find the Enchanted Wood while on holiday – Milo, Mia and Birdy. They meet Silky and her crew, and travel to the Land of Unicorns. “But not every land is so much fun. Danger looms in the Land of Dragons. Will Moonface’s magic work in time to save the children?” says publisher Hachette. Yes, undoubtedly it will, but this is news that will win the heart of my dragon-obsessed bookaholic eight-year-old, and a book I’ll be reading to my five-year-old as soon as it’s out. The 11-year-old will undoubtedly see herself as far too grown up for it these days – but I wouldn’t be surprised if she finds herself in the vicinity, come story time.

• Jacqueline Wilson
• Children and teenagers
• Enid Blyton
• features

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

They are siblings who live in the real world but often visit the Faraway Tree. They discover the tree and its magical lands during their summer holidays. Throughout the story, the children explore different lands at the top of the tree, such as the Land of Topsy-Turvy, the Land of Birthdays, and the Land of Dreams. Each land has its own unique characteristics and challenges. While the children are in the magical lands, they often encounter interesting and sometimes dangerous creatures. They must use their courage and wit to navigate these situations and find their way back home. The main idea of The Magic Faraway Tree is the power of imagination and the joy of discovery. The children are able to escape the ordinary world and explore new places through their adventures in the Faraway Tree. The book is filled with excitement and wonder, as the children encounter new and exciting challenges in the different lands. It also teaches important values such as friendship, bravery, and the importance of being kind to others. The Magic Faraway Tree is a beloved children's book that continues to captivate readers of all ages. It is a timeless tale of adventure and imagination that reminds us of the beauty and magic in the world around us..

Reviews for "Exploring the Magical Lands in the Magic Faraway Tree"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic Faraway Tree". The story felt disjointed and it lacked a clear plot. The characters were not well-developed and it was challenging to feel any connection with them. The writing style felt rushed and the descriptions were limited, which made it difficult to visualize the magical world the author was trying to create. Overall, I found the book confusing and unsatisfying.

2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't understand why "The Magic Faraway Tree" is considered a children's classic. The storytelling was chaotic and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The adventures the children had in the magical world were uninteresting and lacked depth. The book also lacked any meaningful lessons or messages. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ended up skimming through the rest of the book just to finish it. It's definitely not a book I would recommend.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Magic Faraway Tree" but ended up feeling let down. The story felt repetitive and predictable, with the same formulaic structure in each chapter. The writing style was lacking in creativity and failed to capture my imagination. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Overall, it was a disappointing read and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 3 stars - While I didn't dislike "The Magic Faraway Tree", I found it to be rather underwhelming. The writing style was simplistic and lacked sophistication, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot was lacking in complexity and the pacing felt off at times. However, I do appreciate the concept of a magical tree and the potential for fantastical adventures, but it fell short of my expectations. Overall, it was an okay read, but not something I would read again.

The Magic Faraway Tree: A Portal to Imagination