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The Enchanted Wood, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Folk of The Faraway Tree, The Wishing Chair Again and Up The Faraway Tree
Omnibus edition with 5 titles in one book.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
20 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,214 books6,354 followersSee also:
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
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.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
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.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 2, 2025
I have fond memories of this series of books from when I was little, my mum used to read the stories to me and my sister before bed, I will always have precious memories of that time that I will treasure. Wondering what land the children would be going to next at the top of the faraway tree, Moonface, Mr Whatshisname, Silkie and the Saucepan man. A truly beautiful enchanting series of books.
February 10, 2008
I recall an older family friend laughing when I was 10 as I told her Enid Blyton would always be my favourite author. I learned so much from her books. If there was ever any reign on my rampant imagination she loosed it with her fantastic books, that enticed you into worlds where anything was possible. I would read her books with my silk pillow out under hydrangea bushes and shrubs to be closer to the worlds she described. I love reading, greatly due to her magnificent imagination.
Forget Harry stupid Potter and all the children's writers wannabes. Enid Blyton was there first, and said it best without resorting to luring children into witchcraft and the seediness of sorcery. She simply said, 'what if?...'
What if you had boots that meant you could leap whole counties in one bound?
What if you had a rocking chair that took you where you wished?
What if trees spoke in a language you didn't understand, whispering amongst themselves the secrets of the forest?
Every child understands 'what if?' For that matter, I still do!
Forget Harry stupid Potter and all the children's writers wannabes. Enid Blyton was there first, and said it best without resorting to luring children into witchcraft and the seediness of sorcery. She simply said, 'what if?...'
What if you had boots that meant you could leap whole counties in one bound?
What if you had a rocking chair that took you where you wished?
What if trees spoke in a language you didn't understand, whispering amongst themselves the secrets of the forest?
Every child understands 'what if?' For that matter, I still do!
xx-dnf-skim-reference
November 10, 2018"The Wishing Chair Again" is actually book two of a different series. I wonder why it's the fourth book here, which is otherwise all four books of The Enchanted Wood series. I might skip it, or find the first Wishing Chair book....
Recommendations welcome!
I've never read Blyton before, so I'm not sure what I'm getting into.
.......
Ok done with the first story, the first set of adventures. Of course child me would have enjoyed these, but she and I both like more depth and resonance, more meat and fewer sweets. This is the kind of book in which we're not even supposed to be able to tell which sister is which. Not my kind of book at all. At least in Eager's books we explore the ideas of how wishes can go wrong, and in Narnia we learn why greed doesn't pay, etc.
I guess I'm done. Young me probably would have read a few more, if they were avl, but would not have reread.
Oh, btw, I did remember that I have read one of the Fantastic Five or whatever. But obviously that didn't make much of an impression, either.
And for those of you concerned with bowdlerizing, yes, in general it's a bad thing. And in here it's Grandmother Slap, not Snap, and Dick, not Rick. But honestly, are those really such awful changes? And putting acorns in someone's mouth when they're snoring is not just naughty, but highly dangerous, no? I hope the revised edition addresses that issue!
Recommendations welcome!
I've never read Blyton before, so I'm not sure what I'm getting into.
.......
Ok done with the first story, the first set of adventures. Of course child me would have enjoyed these, but she and I both like more depth and resonance, more meat and fewer sweets. This is the kind of book in which we're not even supposed to be able to tell which sister is which. Not my kind of book at all. At least in Eager's books we explore the ideas of how wishes can go wrong, and in Narnia we learn why greed doesn't pay, etc.
I guess I'm done. Young me probably would have read a few more, if they were avl, but would not have reread.
Oh, btw, I did remember that I have read one of the Fantastic Five or whatever. But obviously that didn't make much of an impression, either.
And for those of you concerned with bowdlerizing, yes, in general it's a bad thing. And in here it's Grandmother Slap, not Snap, and Dick, not Rick. But honestly, are those really such awful changes? And putting acorns in someone's mouth when they're snoring is not just naughty, but highly dangerous, no? I hope the revised edition addresses that issue!
March 2, 2009
I read these books as a child during summers spent in Tobago at my Aunt Eula's house. She had these books from her childhood and recognized the avid bookworm in me. They were full of imaginative stories, word play and adventures. The kids visited all sorts of lands at the top of the Faraway tree, using their wits to get them out of trouble.
I've heard that newer versions have been bowdlerized. How sad! Of course the books are an artifact of their time and as such lack the political correctness we have come to expect from kid literature. Yet, I don't feel we do our kids any favors by editing books rather than having the conversation.
I've heard that newer versions have been bowdlerized. How sad! Of course the books are an artifact of their time and as such lack the political correctness we have come to expect from kid literature. Yet, I don't feel we do our kids any favors by editing books rather than having the conversation.
May 10, 2022
read these when i was 8 and throwing up 10/10
January 13, 2023
My favourite childhood escapism (god, I wish I could visit the tea party land)
September 7, 2007
If Roald Dahl was my ideal grandfather...Enid Blyton was my Fairy Godmother, colouring my childhood with her enchanted world the old school way...If she wasnt around...i bet J.K Rowling wont be where shes at right now...
April 10, 2015
The first book in the Faraway Tree series, a series that has long long long been a favourite of mine. I do still like to periodically reread the series and get transported back to my childhood.
This starts the kids off on their adventures in the Enchanted Forest and with the people of the Faraway Tree. The kids have all sorts of fun and not-so-fun adventures along the way as they explore the lands at the top of the Magic Faraway Tree.
Some of the characters at times display the classic Blyton obnoxiousness, but they’re all generally pretty likeable.
The second book in the Faraway Tree series, and actually the first book I ever read in the series that got me hooked on this world – I suspect for life.
More fun adventures for the crew, this time with cousin Dick tagging along (I noticed that recent releases of these books have changed the names of some of the characters – not cool).
In the classic format, with all sorts of things happening, the one big disaster and then the happy visit to a fun land at the end. Classic.
The third book in the Faraway Tree series, and sadly the last in the series. The Wishing Chair books take place in the same sort of world, but I always wanted there to be more books in this particular series as it was my long time favourite as a kid.
More adventures with the kids, with Cousin Curious Connie along for the fun this time around. All the classic spots, like the Angry Pixie being angry, Dame Wash-a-Lot’s water doing a soaking and a mishap with a sweet along with the usual format of adventure.
Great times and great reading.
This starts the kids off on their adventures in the Enchanted Forest and with the people of the Faraway Tree. The kids have all sorts of fun and not-so-fun adventures along the way as they explore the lands at the top of the Magic Faraway Tree.
Some of the characters at times display the classic Blyton obnoxiousness, but they’re all generally pretty likeable.
The second book in the Faraway Tree series, and actually the first book I ever read in the series that got me hooked on this world – I suspect for life.
More fun adventures for the crew, this time with cousin Dick tagging along (I noticed that recent releases of these books have changed the names of some of the characters – not cool).
In the classic format, with all sorts of things happening, the one big disaster and then the happy visit to a fun land at the end. Classic.
The third book in the Faraway Tree series, and sadly the last in the series. The Wishing Chair books take place in the same sort of world, but I always wanted there to be more books in this particular series as it was my long time favourite as a kid.
More adventures with the kids, with Cousin Curious Connie along for the fun this time around. All the classic spots, like the Angry Pixie being angry, Dame Wash-a-Lot’s water doing a soaking and a mishap with a sweet along with the usual format of adventure.
Great times and great reading.
March 31, 2021
My favourite children's novel, which I decided to re-read whilst studying my Primary School Teaching Degree. This novel includes so much creativity, forcing you to reach into your imagination subconsciously, whilst engaged within the book. I found it so hard to put this book down when needing to. I have read many of Enid Blytons' books and found she is great in writing children's novels, which are easy to follow as you get to year 5 and year 6, but also challenging in an academic way due to using a more diverse range of vocabulary.
This is a very imaginative novel, and can be seen to link to another one of Blyton's series: "the mystery five", where adventures also go on to take place.
This would be a fantastic book for reading aloud in class to younger years at the end of the day before home-time as a calming exercise, but also older years for guided reading, due to some complexity in vocab, but also a fun, interesting story line across the series, with a vast range of creativity
This is a very imaginative novel, and can be seen to link to another one of Blyton's series: "the mystery five", where adventures also go on to take place.
This would be a fantastic book for reading aloud in class to younger years at the end of the day before home-time as a calming exercise, but also older years for guided reading, due to some complexity in vocab, but also a fun, interesting story line across the series, with a vast range of creativity
January 7, 2015
One of my favourite things to do growing up as sit on my bed and read The Magic Faraway Tree over and over and over. I had a stitched hardcover copy which was getting a little dodgy when I passed it down to my cousin who read it as much, if not more, than I did. I once saw her attempting to place half the pages back in the right order so that she could read it again. I once read about Stephen King saying that if he sees somebody with a copy of one of his books and it's in good condition, he wonders why they didn't like it. If he sees his own books beaten and battered he knows they are loved. My copy of this book was most definitely loved.
I now have a modern paperback, boxed set of the series. I am amused that language has changed so much even since they were written that the characters names had to be changed. My new books are about Franny and Rick. Not Fanny and Dick.
I now have a modern paperback, boxed set of the series. I am amused that language has changed so much even since they were written that the characters names had to be changed. My new books are about Franny and Rick. Not Fanny and Dick.
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January 19, 2009everyon should read this books and allow them to be part of ones life...a must childrens classics.
May 13, 2013
Made my childhood magical, mystical n manageable. I was given the gift of imagination, illusion n inspiration ;))) sharing that gift with my six year old now ;))
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June 16, 2016lll
April 20, 2023
The book series, 'The Enchanted Wood', 'The magic Faraway Tree', 'The Folk of the Faraway Tree', 'The Wiching CHair Again', and 'Up The Faraway Tree' is one of my favorite book. The Author, Enid Blyton's books are timeless classics that continue to enchant readers of all ages with their magical worlds and exciting adventures. The books are easy to read and the imaginative plots that are sure to capture the imagination of the readers.
'The Enchanted Wood' if the first series, and introduces a group of childern who discovers a magical wood near their home. Each chapter of the book features a different adventure that the children have in the magical world of the faraway tree.
'The Magic Faraway Tree', is the second book in the series and follows the children as they discover that the top of the Faraway tree is constantly changingand is a home to number of magical lands that rotate every few days.
'The Folk of the Faraway Tree', is the third book in the series and it introduces readers to the inhabitants of the magical lands at the top of the faraway tree.
'The Wishing Chair again' is a standalone book that features a magical wishing chair that can fly and take children on incredible adventures.
'Up The Faraway Tree' is the final book in the series, and follows the children as they climb the faraway tree and their fight with the evil queen that rules the land on the tree. The children works together to overcome the queen and save the magical world of the faraway tree.
'The Enchanted Wood' if the first series, and introduces a group of childern who discovers a magical wood near their home. Each chapter of the book features a different adventure that the children have in the magical world of the faraway tree.
'The Magic Faraway Tree', is the second book in the series and follows the children as they discover that the top of the Faraway tree is constantly changingand is a home to number of magical lands that rotate every few days.
'The Folk of the Faraway Tree', is the third book in the series and it introduces readers to the inhabitants of the magical lands at the top of the faraway tree.
'The Wishing Chair again' is a standalone book that features a magical wishing chair that can fly and take children on incredible adventures.
'Up The Faraway Tree' is the final book in the series, and follows the children as they climb the faraway tree and their fight with the evil queen that rules the land on the tree. The children works together to overcome the queen and save the magical world of the faraway tree.
July 23, 2018
I was a voracious reader as a child having entire series of "The Baby Sitter's Club", "Sweet Valley Kids", and "Sweet Valley High School", but nothing sparked my imagination like Enid Blyton. There were a few books of hers in circulation in the 1980's Pakistan, and I was probably the only girl (or maybe there was another) who knew about her. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone who liked reading and asked what I was reading. The way her short stories sparked my imagination impacted me more than I let on. They were parables like Disney animated movies in printed words and I would get lost in them for hours until my mother would call me for dinner. I would put Enid Blyton to the level of Roald Dahl and Dr. Suess. Check her out!!
October 15, 2023
This book essentially shaped my childhood and brings me soo much joy. It was passed down to me from my mom who read it when she was a kid. To this day my old and tattered copy of this is one of my favorite possessions.
Basically anything Enid Blyton is very special to me and a formative part of my childhood (but The Magic Faraway Tree will always be #1).
Basically anything Enid Blyton is very special to me and a formative part of my childhood (but The Magic Faraway Tree will always be #1).
February 18, 2021
I always like the first in a series the best. This is really more of the same...children go up the Faraway Tree, get into some kind of dilemma in the land at the top, vow never to return but always do. Nonetheless, it still brought a smile to my face and laughter to my children.
July 14, 2019
The most wonderful series for children.
March 8, 2021
Absolute childhood favourite!! Literally everything a kid's imagination needs ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
a good book, got through it quickly tho
December 20, 2021
These were my favourite books growing up and are easily worth 5 stars.Kate winslet does the 3 enchanted wood ones on audio book for unwell days
September 14, 2022
this is the book that started it all. thank u miss dott
November 10, 2022
great tales of children going to random strangers houses and accepting food from them
February 22, 2025
The Enchanted Wood has 33 funny chapters. I liked how the characters wern’t ordinary people, like Moon Face and the Sauce Pan Man.
November 8, 2010
This book was such a significant part of my literary life and childhood that I sometimes wonder whether I should call up the friend i lent it to in elementary school and arrange a meetup after 6 years of no contact.. just to get my old book.
I read this book in Spanish at around 8 or 9 years old when I lived in Paraguay, where I tell you my friend, not many books are easily come. It was part of a small collection of books my parents had proudly bought for us girls (families with many books at home were rare in Paraguay), along with the Illustrated Aesop's Fables and folk tales and whatnot. While I did always end up somewhat amazed at the brilliancy of a story WITH a bonus lesson behind Aesop's tales, that was as far as it took me with books. I didn't particularly look forward to or miss reading after those fables - they only passively held my attention.
And then came Enid Blyton's El Arbol Magico y el Bosque Encantado, and I was completely captivated by this book and its enchanting world, and really started to appreciate the power of books. I didn't know it was an international bestseller until finding it here on Goodreads, and now I find that it's one of the few things that gave me a peek at outside the tiny world I was living in.
In all, I recommend this book to any child becoming an independent reader -if you have one, I can't say this enough: buy it for them! It will become a very memorable part of their lives.
I read this book in Spanish at around 8 or 9 years old when I lived in Paraguay, where I tell you my friend, not many books are easily come. It was part of a small collection of books my parents had proudly bought for us girls (families with many books at home were rare in Paraguay), along with the Illustrated Aesop's Fables and folk tales and whatnot. While I did always end up somewhat amazed at the brilliancy of a story WITH a bonus lesson behind Aesop's tales, that was as far as it took me with books. I didn't particularly look forward to or miss reading after those fables - they only passively held my attention.
And then came Enid Blyton's El Arbol Magico y el Bosque Encantado, and I was completely captivated by this book and its enchanting world, and really started to appreciate the power of books. I didn't know it was an international bestseller until finding it here on Goodreads, and now I find that it's one of the few things that gave me a peek at outside the tiny world I was living in.
In all, I recommend this book to any child becoming an independent reader -if you have one, I can't say this enough: buy it for them! It will become a very memorable part of their lives.
January 24, 2015
These stories are so special to me, having read them a million times each when I was younger. I'd had a craving for a blast of nostalgia, but my copy was no where to be found. Looking to buy a new copy I found, in a serious case of political correctness gone mad, the childrens' names had been changed to Joe, Beth and Frannie, and Dame Slap was now Dame Snap. Ridiculous. Luckily, I found the above edition in a charity shop with the stories having escaped diplomatic amendments. These books are nothing but artefacts of their time; a little girl going by the name of Fanny isn't going to warp any modern-day kid's tiny little mind.
I was captivated by this book when I was younger, and I was just as captivated almost twenty (twenty?! Ouch!!) years later. Blyton's imagination is awe-inspiring, and the morals she weaves into the tales are something to learn from and respect. The sheer adventure, mystery, and magic running through these pages is absolutely delicious, and everything about the stories is perfect for both children and adults to enjoy. They're not something I'd recommend for adults to read alone (unless, like myself, you're reminiscing), however reading these with kids would really be something special.
A must-read for kids - just make sure you find an older version. I'm sure Dame Slap is much more formidable than the Dame Snap she's become.
I was captivated by this book when I was younger, and I was just as captivated almost twenty (twenty?! Ouch!!) years later. Blyton's imagination is awe-inspiring, and the morals she weaves into the tales are something to learn from and respect. The sheer adventure, mystery, and magic running through these pages is absolutely delicious, and everything about the stories is perfect for both children and adults to enjoy. They're not something I'd recommend for adults to read alone (unless, like myself, you're reminiscing), however reading these with kids would really be something special.
A must-read for kids - just make sure you find an older version. I'm sure Dame Slap is much more formidable than the Dame Snap she's become.
August 5, 2011
Ok so the kids names, Fanny and Dick, might be highly hilarious to the kids of today and Blyton's use of language might be a little 'jolly old hockey sticks' for today, but the tales of the Magic Far Away Tree in the Enchanted Wood are beautiful and captivating.
My Nan used to read these stories to us when we were children and I loved them. I've always wanted them to make a children's TV series, but then though against it because it would never match my imagination.
It is such a shame that Blyton is now 'out of fashion' as these books should be read to and by all children. I wish someone would adapt them for the 21st Century.
My Nan used to read these stories to us when we were children and I loved them. I've always wanted them to make a children's TV series, but then though against it because it would never match my imagination.
It is such a shame that Blyton is now 'out of fashion' as these books should be read to and by all children. I wish someone would adapt them for the 21st Century.
May 13, 2014
whether you're two or ninety-two, this is a lovely charmkng book filled with magical creatures and intriguing characters.
this series of books is filled with adventures and mysteries that any child and adult can still enjoy.
I think overall, Enid Blyton is an amazing writer and this series is a clear example of this.
I think these books are a nice read to have a break from reading all these heavy books.
I would recommend these books and any Enid Blyton books to anyone because she is just an excellent writing and these stories are just so lovely.
this series of books is filled with adventures and mysteries that any child and adult can still enjoy.
I think overall, Enid Blyton is an amazing writer and this series is a clear example of this.
I think these books are a nice read to have a break from reading all these heavy books.
I would recommend these books and any Enid Blyton books to anyone because she is just an excellent writing and these stories are just so lovely.
November 8, 2012
BEST CHILDHOOD BOOKS EVER!!
I honestly love Enid Blyton and her amazing imagination! These books basically sparked my fascination with British history. These are FULL of adventures, very fantastical and magical. I absolutely LOVE these books!! I honestly feel so strongly about these books that I would be depriving my children of an awesome childhood experience if they did not read them! Haha! MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
I honestly love Enid Blyton and her amazing imagination! These books basically sparked my fascination with British history. These are FULL of adventures, very fantastical and magical. I absolutely LOVE these books!! I honestly feel so strongly about these books that I would be depriving my children of an awesome childhood experience if they did not read them! Haha! MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews