Enid Blyton books are experiencing a comeback. This prolific author wrote some of the best-loved children’s book series. She is credited with writing over 7,500 short stories and novellas. From Noddy to The Naughtiest Girl! We take a look at some of our favourites and why you should read Enid Blyton books to your children.
1. Encouraging a Healthy Imagination
Faraway Tree
Often cited as people’s favourite childhood book, the Faraway Tree has undergone some changes since we read it years ago. Many of the newer editions have altered the names of the characters to reflect changes in fashions but also slang. So Bessie is now Beth, Jo has become Joe (the more modern spelling associated with males) and as for poor Fanny and Dick… they are now Frannie and Rick. This series featured a tree whose branches were so high they reached into the clouds and had little houses in its trunk. The children went on adventures at the top of the tree. The six book set is currently half price at The Works.
My mum bought me the faraway tree stories by enid blyton and i feel like im 8 again i love it
— ✨kay✨ (@hikikom0ri__) October 9, 2015
2. Creating a Sense of Adventure
Famous Five
We don’t suggest that you send your kids off for a night on a deserted island somewhere or to solve mysteries by themselves. However, the series is perfect for encouraging a sense of adventure in children. If you want to get your little ones out into the great outdoors, this is the book series for you. If your kids like this series, you’ll love our price on the box-set. RRP £59.90, Our price £12!!!
3. Discouraging Modern Technology for a While
The Children of Willow/Cherry Tree/Mistletoe Farm
At some point or other we’ve all wondered if our children spend too much time looking at screens or surfing the internet. Blyton books have none of these modern distractions. Children in them had to use their imaginations to create fun. Characters are surrounded by nature (agriculture, wildlife) and in Mistletoe Farm the cousins deal with some grown-up themes and making the best of a bad situation (great for older kids).
4. A Replacement for Harry Potter?
Malory Towers
This is a stretch, but if your children loved the school-based Harry Potter adventures, they might also like Malory Towers. The six novels feature life in a Cornish seaside boarding school and all the highs and lows that come with it. The series deals with all sorts of aspects of school life including pranks, challenges and achievements. But do they become the “good, sound women the world can lean on” as headmistress Miss. Grayling expects?
5. Life Lessons
Amelia Jane
The naughty Amelia Jane gets into all sorts of mischief. The biggest toy in the nursery, this wayward doll has a penchant for being naughty – even getting hold of a pair of scissors and chopping off a bit of bunny’s tail (shock, horror). Luckily, each story ends with Amelia Jane learning her lesson and turning over a new leaf (until the next book!).