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Moonface's Story (The Magic Faraway Tree)

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The Saucepan Man's mother, who lives with Dame Washalot after The Folk of the Faraway Tree. She runs a cake shop; Mr. Watzisname cannot remember his name. He sleeps and snores all the time. During a particular story at the Land of Secrets, Mr. Watzisname discovers his name, Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo, then forgets it almost immediately as it is so long; They meet lots of other people, like Silky the Fairy, and The Saucepan Man Who've all made their homes inside the trunk. Over the years, the Faraway Tree stories have been illustrated by various artists including Dorothy Wheeler, Rene Cloke, Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone and Georgina Hargreaves. Faraway Tree Books, Stories and Games I gave the first book in this series five stars, and that is what I've given this one too because I just can't fault it, or at least not the original version that doesn't have silly name changes.

Rather than this being a review of the book, I'm going to use this space mainly to rant and get out all my angry feels about the 'updating' of Enid Blyton's books. I've loved this book for nearly 18 years now and I encourage anyone, adult or child to try and find an original unedited Enid Blyton book to read. As a general review, this book is about three very close-knit siblings that work hard to complete their chores around the house and are subsequently rewarded with free time and adventures with magical folk. The ideal life, really. Earlier this week during a coversation with KC 2.0, I was reminded of my favourite childhood novel EVER ! Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.Bake buns for about 20-25 minutes - they should be a nice golden brown on top and slightly springy to the touch.

Not quite as joyous as the first book, "The Enchanted Wood", but still a lot of fun. Enid Blyton was a maelstrom of ideas, and the format of this particular universe -- a magic tree which had at its top temporary doorways to an infinite number of small worlds -- is absolutely fitted to her strengths. Interesting to note that this review is actually a highly effective stupid-magnet. You wouldn't believe the earnest, scolding comments I've deleted. Hilarious.To make the ‘egg’ wash’ simply combine the 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and brush over the tops of the uncooked buns. This was so imaginative-up to a point. I thought so much more could have been made of it all-a tree that leads to different lands? Yes please. Unfortunately, all of the lands were soft, playful, self-serving, twee. I didn't enjoy how completely devoid of any particular adventurous danger the adventures actually were. I didn't enjoy the obviousness of how it all turned out. I didn't find it flowed from one adventure to the next, except in terms of "it happened on this day, then the day after..." Whilst I understand that's how kids live, it felt dull to me. The main characters are Jo, Bessie and Fanny (updated in recent revisions to Joe, Beth and Frannie), who are three siblings. Fanny is the youngest, Bessie is next in age and Jo is their big brother. They live near the Enchanted Wood and are friends of the residents of the Faraway Tree. Other characters include: The second thing to note is that if you read this book as a child then all four children in the modern edition will have changed their names! You know there are so many books out there that can make your head explode with new ideas, and take you to places you've never imagined before. I'll bet you can find a book that can really get your head spinning and make your brain go Topsy-Turvy.

The children, in this volume, visit The Land of Topsy-Turvy, The Land of Toys, The Land of Goodies, The Land of Spells, The Land of Tempers, The Land of Presents, and many others.I have a newer version, so names have been changed from Jo, Bess and Fanny to Joe, Beth and Frannie. I have mixed feelings about the update. I understand why some people would object to Fanny in particular. It's the loss of Bessie that I find saddest as it was updated because Bess/Bessie has fallen out of fashion. While I like the name Beth too, I don't see the issue with an old-fashioned children's book maintaining an older style of name.

I noted that the only parent really mentioned in the book was 'Mother' and the father never contributed to the story.The tree is populated by a good number of folk, though only a few are ever named. There appears to be no water supply or sanitation, and yet Dame Washalot is endlessly tipping dirty water down the tree. Being soaked by this water offers endless amusement to all but the soakee. Additionally, in this 2017 version, the "modern" illustrations are slapdash, with the minimum possible amount of detail. The fact that the front cover has what seems to be a carefully drawn scene from the 1940s version just rubs salt on the wound. Jo, Bessie and Fanny come to live at the edge of the Enchanted Wood where the trees, "a darker green than usual," whisper their secrets: "Wisha-wisha-wisha." In the wood is the Faraway Tree — a huge tree inhabited by fairy-folk and laden with fruit of all kinds from acorns to lemons. Its topmost branches lead to ever-changing magical lands above the swirling clouds. The Angry Pixie, who lives in a house with a tiny window and has a habit of throwing cold water or any liquid at hand over people who dare to peep inside; Of course, the magical lands don't stay at the top of the tree for long, so you've got to know how to get home. In one story, when the children have rescued The Saucepan Man from a fortress, in the Land of Toys, they almost don't make it.

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