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The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure
Explore the much-loved Magic Faraway Tree at the most special time of the year. This brand-new story by superstar author Jacqueline Wilson is set in the original world created by Enid Blyton.Milo, Mia and Birdy are excited to return to the cottage beside the Enchanted Wood for Christmas. They can't wait to visit their magical friends Silky the fairy and Moonface again. Which amazing worlds will arrive at the top of the Faraway Tree at this time of year? The children are hoping for a trip to the Land of Presents or perhaps the Land of Snow. But before they can celebrate, there is a chilling visit to the Land of the Frozen North . . . The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton was Jacqueline Wilson's own favourite book as a young child. Now Britain's favourite contemporary children's author, creator of Hetty Feather and Tracy Beaker, is revisiting it in her second wonderful book about this magical world.
321 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
17 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
399 books5,701 followersJacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 30, 2024
Ah, Jacqueline.
I read the first Faraway Tree book she published a couple of years ago and was unimpressed. That feeling has only increased.
I don't get why she felt the need to do modern versions of these. I always loved the Faraway Tree books as a kid, and these feel like dumbed down versions with forced in messages about sexism and child safety. Even the lands at the top of the tree aren't as fun and are simplified. The Land of Sunshine? The Land of Toys?
What happened to the good old days of The Land of Secrets or The Land of Take-What-You-Want? Or the land where everything was topsy-turvy and they had to wear cushions? It’s like instead of making up interesting new worlds she just thought of things kids might like - toys, unicorns, sweets - and said that’d do.
Every world being like this takes away the magic. How is the Land of Sunshine imaginative when it’s just a beach? When the Land of Toys is just the North Pole?
These retellings are tiring. I did enjoy her versions of What Katy Did and Five Children and It - but it felt like she was addressing real problems for kids in those like blended families and disability. Nothing of any seriousness is acknowledged here, it’s just a sweet bland little story about three middle class children on holiday.
Wilson is an elderly lady now and besides that, an elderly lady who is, by her own admission, not very down with the kids. Her style of writing and dialogue does not fit modern children and it doesn’t feel natural.
Example: Milo wants a “game console” for Christmas. Which kind? Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch? JW obviously has no idea about them so leaves it vague and therefore it doesn’t feel at all real. Are these really children of 2024 who don’t know about “game consoles” yet want them desperately, talk like Victorians and are perfectly happy in a cottage with no “broadband or television”.
I think that kids should just read the original versions because these add nothing to them.
I read the first Faraway Tree book she published a couple of years ago and was unimpressed. That feeling has only increased.
I don't get why she felt the need to do modern versions of these. I always loved the Faraway Tree books as a kid, and these feel like dumbed down versions with forced in messages about sexism and child safety. Even the lands at the top of the tree aren't as fun and are simplified. The Land of Sunshine? The Land of Toys?
What happened to the good old days of The Land of Secrets or The Land of Take-What-You-Want? Or the land where everything was topsy-turvy and they had to wear cushions? It’s like instead of making up interesting new worlds she just thought of things kids might like - toys, unicorns, sweets - and said that’d do.
Every world being like this takes away the magic. How is the Land of Sunshine imaginative when it’s just a beach? When the Land of Toys is just the North Pole?
These retellings are tiring. I did enjoy her versions of What Katy Did and Five Children and It - but it felt like she was addressing real problems for kids in those like blended families and disability. Nothing of any seriousness is acknowledged here, it’s just a sweet bland little story about three middle class children on holiday.
Wilson is an elderly lady now and besides that, an elderly lady who is, by her own admission, not very down with the kids. Her style of writing and dialogue does not fit modern children and it doesn’t feel natural.
Example: Milo wants a “game console” for Christmas. Which kind? Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch? JW obviously has no idea about them so leaves it vague and therefore it doesn’t feel at all real. Are these really children of 2024 who don’t know about “game consoles” yet want them desperately, talk like Victorians and are perfectly happy in a cottage with no “broadband or television”.
I think that kids should just read the original versions because these add nothing to them.
August 22, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I hold my hand up and admit that whilst I own the original Enid Blyton Faraway Tree stories, I haven't actually read them. But I adore Blyton, I adore Jacqueline Wilson (I grew up on her books), I adore children's stories, and I adore Christmas, and so I really wanted to give this a read.
The illustrations by Mark Beech are just perfect. There is a definite Quentin Blake influence on them and at first glance, they may even be mistaken for them, but for me, they have something that makes them Mark's own, and they hold a sort of nostalgic magic for me.
I know this is a children's book, and I know it's just a bit of fun and festive entertainment, and it isn't necessarily advertised as a hugely important moral story. But for me, it was. To see Christmas through the eyes of children, to rediscover the magic that we start to lose as we age. When Christmas becomes less about the magic and surprises and goodwill, and more about the stress and the expensive of it; so it's a rare treat to be able to spend a few hours amongst the joy of it all.
Like I said, I grew up on Jacqueline Wilson books, and owned every age-appropriate one, and I continue to read them today. And she is the perfect successor to the great Enid Blyton. I feel there's a kinship between the two of them and their writing, and it is so seamless to read between the two/ Even though the original series was first published in 1939, it still feels very now. Jacqualine Wilson has updated what made them successful, but added more relatability and modernity for the time, without losing any of its childhood spark, and I think Blyton would be thrilled at the continuation of her story.
Whilst I did enjoy it, it was cute and fun and warming, I do think I missed out a bit by having not read the originals. But I still managed to be swept away by the magical descriptions.
Where I think Jacqueline Wilson excels - and it is similar with Enid Blyton's books too - is that she inspires generations of children to read. Children that may be reluctant to pick up a book, for whatever reason, can read this with no pressure. It's all about fun and, not to keep using the word, magic, and I think it's a great book to get kids into reading longer stories. Especially when it's within a series. It gives them something to engage in, something to follow and commit to.
Overall, I'd say it isn't the most Christmassy of Christmas books. Yes it is set in the Christmas period, but it does take some getting into, revisiting old friends and exploring new worlds, before we really get to the festive element about halfway through. Which isn't the end of the world, and I imagine children will just love it for what it is, but for a Christmas nut like me, I wanted just a smidge more a smidge earlier.
What I love about Jacqueline Wilson's work is that she has this amazing quality to make the mundane beautiful. The descriptions of the weather, the coldness, the forest, the food - it all leaps off ththe page. And by doing so, she makes the mundane important. Everything in this book has a reason for being there and a reason for getting excited about.
Amazon says this is aimed at 5-7 year olds, and so at 30 I am vastly over this age. I have children in the family aged between 3 and 11, and I think they'd all enjoy it. And for us adults, it gives us a chance to reminisce about Christmases of old, and gives us an excuse to be a child again, even if it is just for a few hours.
I hold my hand up and admit that whilst I own the original Enid Blyton Faraway Tree stories, I haven't actually read them. But I adore Blyton, I adore Jacqueline Wilson (I grew up on her books), I adore children's stories, and I adore Christmas, and so I really wanted to give this a read.
The illustrations by Mark Beech are just perfect. There is a definite Quentin Blake influence on them and at first glance, they may even be mistaken for them, but for me, they have something that makes them Mark's own, and they hold a sort of nostalgic magic for me.
I know this is a children's book, and I know it's just a bit of fun and festive entertainment, and it isn't necessarily advertised as a hugely important moral story. But for me, it was. To see Christmas through the eyes of children, to rediscover the magic that we start to lose as we age. When Christmas becomes less about the magic and surprises and goodwill, and more about the stress and the expensive of it; so it's a rare treat to be able to spend a few hours amongst the joy of it all.
Like I said, I grew up on Jacqueline Wilson books, and owned every age-appropriate one, and I continue to read them today. And she is the perfect successor to the great Enid Blyton. I feel there's a kinship between the two of them and their writing, and it is so seamless to read between the two/ Even though the original series was first published in 1939, it still feels very now. Jacqualine Wilson has updated what made them successful, but added more relatability and modernity for the time, without losing any of its childhood spark, and I think Blyton would be thrilled at the continuation of her story.
Whilst I did enjoy it, it was cute and fun and warming, I do think I missed out a bit by having not read the originals. But I still managed to be swept away by the magical descriptions.
Where I think Jacqueline Wilson excels - and it is similar with Enid Blyton's books too - is that she inspires generations of children to read. Children that may be reluctant to pick up a book, for whatever reason, can read this with no pressure. It's all about fun and, not to keep using the word, magic, and I think it's a great book to get kids into reading longer stories. Especially when it's within a series. It gives them something to engage in, something to follow and commit to.
Overall, I'd say it isn't the most Christmassy of Christmas books. Yes it is set in the Christmas period, but it does take some getting into, revisiting old friends and exploring new worlds, before we really get to the festive element about halfway through. Which isn't the end of the world, and I imagine children will just love it for what it is, but for a Christmas nut like me, I wanted just a smidge more a smidge earlier.
What I love about Jacqueline Wilson's work is that she has this amazing quality to make the mundane beautiful. The descriptions of the weather, the coldness, the forest, the food - it all leaps off ththe page. And by doing so, she makes the mundane important. Everything in this book has a reason for being there and a reason for getting excited about.
Amazon says this is aimed at 5-7 year olds, and so at 30 I am vastly over this age. I have children in the family aged between 3 and 11, and I think they'd all enjoy it. And for us adults, it gives us a chance to reminisce about Christmases of old, and gives us an excuse to be a child again, even if it is just for a few hours.
November 12, 2023
It's not just the lashings of ginger beer that make these pages sickly sweet. The tweeness level is set to twelve out of ten and never gets to change, unfortunately. Our three children and the parents go back to the cottage on the edge of the Enchanted Forest, and despite the weather (cold, miserably wet and with no working boiler in the cottage, at least initially) have a whale of a time when they climb the Magic Faraway Tree and find the different worlds at the top. The first is where they can actually get a little sunburnt, playing and frolicking by the perfect seaside, the second is arctic cold and winterland-styled, and as for the rest, well I didn't get that far.
This is just stuffed – characters assuming there's mild peril when there absolutely is not, until somehow there is as things have to change tack for a while. But after that it's back to lists of what they wear, all the ice creams they eat, and far too much detail. This was definitely over-egged, and felt like a 200pp book of dramas padded out over 300+. Just take the journey to the flippin' cottage in the first place, as all their foodstuffs and successes with the toy grabber thing are itemised at laborious length.
Yes, keep a young reader firmly ensconced in a world so detailed it feels real, which I have to assume is the reason behind the style here. But if this is supposed to be the charm of these books (and this is my one and only visit to this world) then it was completely lost on me. The characters feel padded, and cosseted, stuffed into an ideal world with brilliant parents (always having their second cup of coffee and being persuaded to let the kids do what they want), and if it isn't obvious padded and stuffed are what the pages they're on feel like. While many people are expected to be bloated at Christmas, it shouldn't apply to kids' books about it as well.
A generous two stars.
This is just stuffed – characters assuming there's mild peril when there absolutely is not, until somehow there is as things have to change tack for a while. But after that it's back to lists of what they wear, all the ice creams they eat, and far too much detail. This was definitely over-egged, and felt like a 200pp book of dramas padded out over 300+. Just take the journey to the flippin' cottage in the first place, as all their foodstuffs and successes with the toy grabber thing are itemised at laborious length.
Yes, keep a young reader firmly ensconced in a world so detailed it feels real, which I have to assume is the reason behind the style here. But if this is supposed to be the charm of these books (and this is my one and only visit to this world) then it was completely lost on me. The characters feel padded, and cosseted, stuffed into an ideal world with brilliant parents (always having their second cup of coffee and being persuaded to let the kids do what they want), and if it isn't obvious padded and stuffed are what the pages they're on feel like. While many people are expected to be bloated at Christmas, it shouldn't apply to kids' books about it as well.
A generous two stars.
February 27, 2024
The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure by Jacqueline Wilson is a most charming novel that will appeal to everyone aged eight years and over.
Once more Jacqueline Wilson has transported the adult reader back to their childhood, whilst simultaneously introducing the next generation to the magic that is the Faraway Tree. There is the timeless appeal of Moonface, Silky, the Angry Pixie etc.
The reader joins the characters for a festive fayre as we delight in a winter wonderland, walking on fresh snowfall, just perfect for a new adventure. This is the second book in the series.
Once more, the reader ‘climbs’ to the top of the Faraway Tree and ‘visits’ the lands there. We ‘feel’ the warmth of sunshine land and also marvel at the delights of Santa’s workshop.
Jacqueline Wilson continues to enchant readers with new adventures. All of Enid Blyton’s characters come alive for the next generation, whilst sending parents and grandparents back down memory lane.
I loved the original Faraway Tree books and I love the new ones. I hope Jacqueline Wilson will continue to write many more.
Once more Jacqueline Wilson has transported the adult reader back to their childhood, whilst simultaneously introducing the next generation to the magic that is the Faraway Tree. There is the timeless appeal of Moonface, Silky, the Angry Pixie etc.
The reader joins the characters for a festive fayre as we delight in a winter wonderland, walking on fresh snowfall, just perfect for a new adventure. This is the second book in the series.
Once more, the reader ‘climbs’ to the top of the Faraway Tree and ‘visits’ the lands there. We ‘feel’ the warmth of sunshine land and also marvel at the delights of Santa’s workshop.
Jacqueline Wilson continues to enchant readers with new adventures. All of Enid Blyton’s characters come alive for the next generation, whilst sending parents and grandparents back down memory lane.
I loved the original Faraway Tree books and I love the new ones. I hope Jacqueline Wilson will continue to write many more.
January 22, 2024
For anyone that enjoyed the Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton as a child it is worth reading this book from the extension of the series that Jacqueline Wilson, the acclaimed children's author, has written.
Following the magical adventures of the original characters from Blyton's books, this is the fifth addition to the classic series to continue the fun for another generation of children and I'm sure that they will love it as much as children for decades have.
Silky, Moonface and Saucepan Man all make appearances in this story as well as many other residents of the magical tree and the lands at the top of the tree are as varied and exciting as they were when you were a child. If you loved Enid Blyton's books as a child you should read this and bask in nostalgia!
Following the magical adventures of the original characters from Blyton's books, this is the fifth addition to the classic series to continue the fun for another generation of children and I'm sure that they will love it as much as children for decades have.
Silky, Moonface and Saucepan Man all make appearances in this story as well as many other residents of the magical tree and the lands at the top of the tree are as varied and exciting as they were when you were a child. If you loved Enid Blyton's books as a child you should read this and bask in nostalgia!
August 16, 2023
This is a fun book that I think will spark the imagination of children who love fantasy and adventure. Once again Jacqueline Wilson has captured the magic of the original Faraway Tree. I loved the original books as a child, especially visiting the different lands at the top of the tree. This story is all based around a Christmas visit to the cottage, so I'm sure people can guess some of the lands that appear during the story. Although in all honesty, I think the land of sunshine was my favourite, mainly due to the weather we've been having recently. I would definitely recommend this book to the children in my school as I think they'll love it.
April 13, 2024
4.89
I was confused at the clock bit, where her clock goes missing. Guys, I remember that she got her clock, not when her wings sprout, but when they went to the land on the faraway tree. The book where they got trapped in the naughty school. Tell in the comments if you remember this too, and I am not imagining it. 🤨🫤 *confused*
Also, usually I love Jacqueline Wilson, but… she used ‘said’ a lot in the book. Apart from that, it was really Guid Blyton style for this, and I reallly liked it. The story made me feel cold, when they were and hungry when they were. Really good stuff. 👍
I was confused at the clock bit, where her clock goes missing. Guys, I remember that she got her clock, not when her wings sprout, but when they went to the land on the faraway tree. The book where they got trapped in the naughty school. Tell in the comments if you remember this too, and I am not imagining it. 🤨🫤 *confused*
Also, usually I love Jacqueline Wilson, but… she used ‘said’ a lot in the book. Apart from that, it was really Guid Blyton style for this, and I reallly liked it. The story made me feel cold, when they were and hungry when they were. Really good stuff. 👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
I'm an (adult) adult and I bought this for myself as I enjoyed reading the original series to our children. This version is true to the original series though I had hoped that perhaps this series would have the original children grownup and exploring the faraway tree with their own children. However, this didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of revisiting the Faraway Tree characters and reading about the new adventures.
November 16, 2023
This was a great book getting you ready for Christmas especially as it was like reading the original far away tree books. This one is about Milo,Mia and birdy returning to the enchanted forest and all the new lands above the faraway tree with each having something special with a Christmas connection. I'd say children will love it
November 23, 2023
This is a great book not from Enid Blyton but Jaquline Wilson. It’s still the same characters from the magic faraway tree but the children’s names are different. They go on all sorts of adventures. I think it should be for all ages but if you were reading it yourself I would recommend it for year 2+.
December 31, 2023
It’s very sweet but then I kind of expected that from a Christmas Faraway Tree adventure. I did enjoy but prefer Jacqueline Wilson’s other books not based around pre existing stories.
ARC kindly supplied for a review
ARC kindly supplied for a review
January 31, 2024
Well this is the end of my Faraway Tree experiment. This book was very average and has none of the magic of the original Blyton books. It uses Christmas as a gimmick to try to get kids excited, rather than telling a good story about the folk in the Faraway Tree.
December 9, 2023
3.5 🌟
January 18, 2024
Loveeeeee ittt
March 18, 2024
Another adorable story in the magic faraway tree. We loved it.
March 21, 2024
My favourite read this year so far! Jacqueline Wilson takes us on the greatest adventures through this book. Loved the characters, all the magic lands, and the whole concept of the story. Amazing!!
December 9, 2024
Just didn't enjoy it even for nostalgic purposes unfortunately. I prefer Wilson's usual books.
December 29, 2024
Just brilliant!
January 3, 2024
Very nostalgic- creates a similar level of magic to the way Enid Blyton did and there are lots of fun nods to the original stories. Something quite homely in keeping the Enchanted wood characters the same from the original and an element of fun when aligning it to modern life. A book I'd be v excited to read my class.
December 18, 2025
awesome book
September 21, 2023
To be perfectly honest I was a little apprehensive starting this book. I'm 50 and the Magic Faraway Tree was one of my absolute favourite books growing up so I was concerned about what a modern take would be like (I haven't read the previous book by Jacqueline Wilson). I needed have worried though - Jacqueline Wilson is, of course, a brilliant children's author and she has taken the story and modernised it but stayed within the feel of the original Enid Blyton books. It's a perfect companion piece for modern children - the lands and characters still feel magical, there are some lovely little nods to previous Enid Blyton characters (the children are brought ginger beer on a beach picnic and aren't quite sure about it - the explanation is that the other children who come love 'lashings of ginger beer' which is a perfect reference for us older readers!) and the stories are engaging and fun.
I'll certainly be recommending it to any younger readers and it was also lovely for me to read. It made me feel nostalgic for my childhood books, which is quite a feat considering I'd never read this one before, so parents and grandparents should enjoy it too!
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.
#NetGalley #AChristmasAdventure
I'll certainly be recommending it to any younger readers and it was also lovely for me to read. It made me feel nostalgic for my childhood books, which is quite a feat considering I'd never read this one before, so parents and grandparents should enjoy it too!
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.
#NetGalley #AChristmasAdventure
January 26, 2025
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Enjoyed the first retelling so I wanted to read the Christmas adventure too. Another sweet and nostalgic journey with the Faraway tree residents. Such a joy to be able to be a child again and enjoy such a simplistic story and have fun. It did get me into the Christmas spirit too, with all the magic. Again stayed true to the originals and I like that the lands on top of the tree are a mix of good and bad.
Enjoyed the first retelling so I wanted to read the Christmas adventure too. Another sweet and nostalgic journey with the Faraway tree residents. Such a joy to be able to be a child again and enjoy such a simplistic story and have fun. It did get me into the Christmas spirit too, with all the magic. Again stayed true to the originals and I like that the lands on top of the tree are a mix of good and bad.
January 1, 2026
A perfect Christmas gift for any young Enid Blyton fan! Jacqueline Wilson has done a fab job of writing in the style of this very loved author and it was so wonderful to read together. We loved that all the old friends in the tree were there again with new christmassy adventures.
February 12, 2024
A Christmas adventure with the Faraway tree and one that involves baking some yummy goodies. A lovely addition to this newly imagined series of adventures.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews