Rewards: Adventurous Four

I discovered Enid Blyton when I was about ten, and even though this particular book/series is meant for younger children, I devoured these gentle and imaginative stories. The Faraway Tree is a magical tree that has many characters living in it, and at the very top of the tree there is an everchanging cycle of magical worlds - one world will come around every few days or hours and then go away, to return months or years later. The magical worlds are great fun and offer a look at how trips to different kinds of fantasy lands might play out. The kids have to use their wits to escape from some of the tougher situations they encounter in the nastier worlds, and their willpower to go home from the worlds that offer endless candies and nice things! I read an older edition of this book, but I have heard from other Blyton fans that they have "updated" the books somewhat in the last ten years. I think Fanny's name has been changed and a lot of silly scenarios have been altered - I can only guess what the censors did to Dame Slap! (She was really pretty tame!) In any case, as a ten-year old growing up in a big city, I didn't find anything snigger-worthy enough to warrant changing, and I'd urge folks to try and find an older edition of this book that has not been abridged. I am guessing that even if you use this modern edition, though, that Blyton's trademark readability and imaginative writing will still shine through. This would be an ideal book for the eight and under crowd, but even as an adult, I still get a lot of pleasure out of the occasional reread.

Enid Blyton was my favourite author as a child and continues to receive my high esteem. I recently bought these books for my neice who is as yet far too young to read them. I can't wait for a couple of years until she is old enough to sit and listen while 'aunty kat' reads them to her. It did take me a while to find the books as i was determined to find older publications with the correct names as i wanted her to be able to have the same unaltered experience as i did. Ms Blyton has an amazing capability in being able to catch the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike and until my neice is old enough i will keep these books in my collection to pick up and re-read on a rainy sunday afternoon. If your child only reads one book before the age of ten, make sure it is one by this author.

Enid Blyton's books are the equivalent of comfort foods -they are 'comfort reads', for all ages!!! This Faraway tree series is one of the best in her fantasy series of books for young kids. When my siblings and I were very young, I got them hooked onto reading by reading aloud these books to them. Even today, I revisit these & other old favourites whenever I'm in the mood for my 'Blytons'!! I cannot reccomend these highly enough!!!