Five Go Off in a Caravan

This book is a fun adventure story for children. It will make any young readers dream of having a caravaning holiday like the Famous Five have. Considering the story from today's standards, it might seem unbelievable that the five friends go on a camping holiday all by themselves without any adults, but it is a story afterall. A very exciting one, including a circus and underground caves.

Enid Blyton... What can you say about her that hasn't been written a thousand times? One of the classic authors (in the sense that her books are considered classics of the genre) that made growing up in England a singular experience (along with Captain W. E. Johns, author of the Biggles series of WWI flying adventures). I believe that while the wording may appear a little stilted these days, with humorous expressions such as "You are such a brick Julian" (a very good thing by the way...), being almost too English for many folks to truly appreciate; these books transmit something quintessentially English... moral standards. These books were written at a time when people knew right from wrong, and "doing the right thing" and keeping your word really mattered. They are a flash back to another time, a time we could use a little bit of today... I have most of this series of books, and read a chapter to my 8 and 5 year olds every night. In fact, they sit on the bed buzzing with anticipation for the next chapter each night (because Enid nicely ended each chapter either with a cliff hanger, or a question to be answered... a brilliant strategy for parents reading to their children!:-)))) I can't recommend these books enough. And when you have read through these, they there is the Secret Seven series, and the "Naughtiest Girl" series (which gives you a brilliant look into the Boarding Schools of yonder year in England) which is especially of interest if you have daughters, who just love Elizabeth (the key character). So, buy with confidence because whether or not you are an Anglophile, or are just looking for adventure stories for your kids, you just can't go wrong with one of the most popular authors of her genre in the history of English literature... I grew up loving them, and you and your children will love them too. BrianB.

A relatively unknown set of books here in the states, but unfortunately so. The Famous Five series tells of the adventures of Georgina (George), her dog, Timothy, and her cousins Julian, Dick, and Anne. Five Go Off In A Caravan is one of the three that ties for my favorite Five book. I love them all, of course, but this one is just chock full of humor, good food, fun, and excitement! It's summer hols again, and the Five are traveling in a pair of caravans. They make camp in an area that is also occupied by a circus! They make friends with a circus boy named Nobby and his mischievous chimp, Pongo, who becomes a source of much hilarity. But something sinister is going on in the camp and the children are sure that it concerns Nobby's "Uncle" Dan and his unpleasant friend, Lou the acrobat. What are they hiding and can the children bring them to justice in time?

One of the best in the series, and one of my personal favorites. This time, our five friends: Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy of course, set out on a holiday in caravans each drawn by a sturdy little horse. The trip starts off peacefully enough, but of course an adventure soon appears...this time from the circus camp located near where the five are staying. Why are Lou the acrobat and Dan the clown so eager to be rid of the five? Be prepared for the usual hair raising adventure filled with nasty tempered criminals, secret passageways and a lot of scrumptious sounding food. Pass the tomatos please! This book stands out thanks to the strange circus folk the five befriend along the way including a couple of circus dogs, a hilarious chimpanzee, and even an elephant who loves to play cricket!

I could only remember the word "caravan" from one of my favorite childhood book titles and after doing a search for this word was delighted to re-discover the titles of this and other "Famous Five" books. My grandmother must have picked these up for me when she was visiting the U.K. and I have such fond memories of reading these books that I plan on purchasing and re-reading them as an adult. Highly recommended!