The magic faraway tree: A new adventure by Jacqueline Wilson and Mark Beech

The reinvention of a 50+ year old series seems a grand thing when you consider how much things have changed in that time, and readers who have fond memories of Enid Blyton's original tales should rest easy knowing that the magic and enchantment of the world of the faraway tree has been lovingly pulled into the modern world. It is still fantastical, comforting and thrilling, but it also presents a world where boys and girls are on equal footing and one that will be more palatable for parents and more relatable for young children today. Unlike the rewriting of the series that happened some years ago (that saw things such as names changed to be more politically correct), Jacqueline Wilson has hit refresh on the entire thing, and she's done a charming job. Her distinctive and humorous voice is perfect for this fantasy adventure that also shines a focus on sibling relationships and doesn't shy away from showing children and their full range of emotions and internal conflicts (jealousy, greed, reckless behaviour, etc). Wilson's characterisation is perfection. All the favourite things are still included and described with rich visual detail: Moon Face's slippery dip, the Faraway Tree folk, the magical food and the fantastical lands. 

In Wilson's new tale, three new children stumble upon the Faraway Tree and are immediately intrigued by the magical people who live there and the wonderful lands at the top. They visit the Land of Unicorns, the Land of Bouncy Castles and the Land of Dragons, but it is there that trouble waits for Milo, who is far too curious not to take a peek. Can they rescue him before it's too late? Parents who love reading the original series to their children but engage in occasional editing or historical side notes while doing so will rejoice at this new title, as will the children who adore listening to them.

Themes: Fantasy, Adventure, Magic.

Nicole Nelson