Words by Smiley Team
Gender stereotypes get a well-needed booting in Jacqueline Wilson’s adaptation of The Magic Faraway Tree by classic children’s author Enid Blyton.
Reinvented for a new generation, the book condemns old-fashioned ideas through the adventures of its magical characters. Protagonists Milo, Mia and Birdy meet Saucepan Man, Moonface and Silky in interactions that address discriminatory ideas such as only girls should do household chores.
Anticipating the book’s release in May 2022, Jacqueline said: “I had such fun writing a brand-new Faraway Tree book. I read the three original Enid Blyton books many times as a child, marvelled at all the adventures and wished I could be Silky’s best friend and share Moonface’s toffee shocks.”
“It’s a privilege to be able to write about Enid Blyton’s iconic characters and invent new children and magical creatures of my own for new readers to enjoy,” she added.
[Discover more positive news changing the world for good on Smiley Movement]
Alexandra Antscherl, editorial director at Enid Blyton Entertainment & Fiction Brands, endorsed the new book after buying the world rights to edit the classic story.
“The Magic Faraway Tree stories are full of wish-fulfilment, wonder and delight and have been entertaining children for generations," she said.
The publisher had heard that Jacqueline Wilson was a huge fan of Blyton’s work as a child, and decided to offer her the opportunity to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the series in 2023.
“Jacqueline’s outstanding ability to capture authentic, relatable characters, in a story that has all the excitement, fun and charm of the original books, allows readers to revel in the magic of the Faraway Tree, whether or not they are already fans of Blyton’s stories,” she said.
Enid Blyton’s classic books including The Famous Five, are widely criticised today for socialising young children in counterproductive ways.
Psychologist and mother Cordelia Fine is among those who have most vocally condemned the books’ influence on children, worrying that the stereotypes they promote will impede girls from developing strong aspirations.
