Enchanted Wood Pb [Paperback]

Enid Blyton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 1992

Jo, Bessie and Fanny move to the country and find an enchanted wood right on their doorstep. And in the wood stands the magic Faraway Tree where the Saucepan man, Moon-Face and Silky the elf live. Together they climb through the cloud to the strange lands which lie at the top of the tree.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The first of four books that have been described as Enid Blyton's all-time favourite series, this was originally published in 1939. And, as a fantasy for children aged between 4 and 7, it has aged remarkably well. When their father starts a new job in the country, Joe, Beth and Frannie embark on a completely new life. Theyre excited enough by the prospect of days filled with bucolic freedom and the thoughts of leaving behind the dirty houses and the chimneys of the town they hate so much that they have little time to imagine the adventures that lie ahead. Blyton paints a quaint picture of a countryside teeming with flowers and streams, animals and birds, and one that will appeal to todays younger readers as much as their wartime predecessors. Theres an abundance of hearty breakfasts and sunny play-filled days and it doesnt take long for the threesome to come across a wood that seems just a little bit different. Naturally the attractions of the magical wood are too much to resist and before they know it the children have performed a Good Samaritan act for a group of elves and are standing at the foot of the Faraway Tree, the most magic tree in the world. From the top of this tree you could end up anywhere, the children are told, before being warned never to do so by one of the grateful elves. Again, the temptation is too much to resist and up they climb, opening the door to an enchanting series of encounters with the likes of Silky the Fairy, and the toffee-loving Moon-Face. (Kirkus UK)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mammoth (August 6, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749708034
• ISBN-13: 978-0749708030
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like the forest and the tree - these stories are enchanting, January 18, 2003

By 

Godly Gadfly - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Enchanted Wood (Paperback)

These enchanting and magical tales have delighted me since my childhood, when my mother read them aloud. My siblings and I loved them. Twenty years later, I still love them. I was fortunate enough to obtain the three-in-one volume bumper edition of 500 plus pages containing the complete text of three of the six adventures about the magical Faraway Tree: "The Enchanted Wood", "The Magic Faraway Tree" and "The Folk of the Faraway Tree." This title is only the first in the series, but do whatever it takes to get hold of it and the others!

The adventures begin when three children, Jo, Bessie and Fanny, discover an enchanted wood inhabited by brownies, talking rabbits, and other fantastic creatures in the vicinity of their new country home. In the center of this wood is the mysterious and magical Faraway Tree, home to the friendly Moonface, adorable Silky, irritable Angry Pixie, cheeky Dame Washalot, and clattery Saucepan Man. In the homes of their new friends, the children enjoy wonderful treats like magical Pop Biscuits and Toffee Shocks. And any time they want to quickly head down the tree, they grab a cushion and slide down the exciting Slippery Slip.

But best of all, at the top of a tree is a white cloud, the mysterious entrance to a magical land above the tree. In turn, magical lands - good and bad - visit the tree, giving the children opportunities for glorious adventures. There are wonderful lands that every child dreams about, such as the Land of Take-What-You-Want, the Land of Birthdays, the Land of Toys, the Land of Goodies, the Land of Presents, and the Land of Treats. But there are also dangerous lands, such as the Land of Topsy-Turvy, the Land of Tempers, the Land of Giants, and the Land of Dame Slap, all of which lead the children into terrible dangers and exciting adventures.

My only concern with these tales is that Blyton's focus on material things is not always upbuilding for children, and to dream of imaginary utopian lands of goodies and toys can result in an unwholesome form of materialism. But on the whole, Blyton takes pains to present positive moral attributes in her characters, and there are definite implicit lessons about virtues and vices. Similarly, there is a very clear conflict between good and evil.

All in all, Enid Blyton's magical world is a delight to children and will hold them spell-bound. Although written in the 1930s and 1940s, these stories have become classics that have stood the test of time, and are just as enjoyable today as ever. They are not deep, but they are enchanting, and this is the perfect book to read aloud to your children. They'll beg you to read it again and again. Come to think of it, as an adult, you'll secretly be glad of the opportunity to read it again yourself! You may outgrow childhood, but you won't quickly outgrow your enjoyment of these enchanting and magical stories!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy childhood, July 22, 2002

By 

lisa sun (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enchanted Wood (Paperback)

I owned the Enchanted Wood about 30 yrs ago, and I still remember the "occupants" like Moonface, Mrs Washalot and Mr Pots-n-Pans even up to today. They have filled my childhood with unimaginable happiness, brought me to so many incredible places and introduced the most amazing world of fairies and elves to me. Truly a book that will be enjoyed by both the kids and the adults, it is never too late to pick up a copy and keep by your side. I will for sure, for it is not just a story book, but a friend to be kept for life. Enjoy...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, February 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Enchanted Wood (Paperback)

Any child that reads this book will enter into a magical world......I am now 34 yrs old....I read this book as a child and still remember liking the stories.......I am originally from Guyana formally British Guiana......I grew up on all Enid Blyton books....they are a delight to read.......this is one book I suggest you get for you children.