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Children's books

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Original poster

Enchanted Wood and Magic Faraway Tree

21 replies

DontCallMeMummyPig · 22/04/2012 20:07

These were my favourite books as a kid. How old were yours when you read them to them? My boy is 4 but really bright with a great imagination. Will they be too grown up for him?

OP posts:
DazR · 22/04/2012 20:13

Try him and see!! Sounds like you will enjoy the experience even if he doesn't at the moment!! I think he should enjoy them.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 22/04/2012 21:55

If you can find "Up the Faraway Tree", (don't pay silly money, it's not nearly as rare as some sellers would have you believe) it would be perfect - each page is half a drawing, and about four lines of text underneath, just right for that age, and a lovely introduction to the three "full" books Grin
You could try Milly Molly Mandy or My Naughty Little Sister too, or EB's Mr Twiddle, Mr Pinkwhistle and the "colour" books, Ruby Story Book et al Grin

FashionEaster · 22/04/2012 21:59

Afair, they were amongst the first chapter books I read to dc1, think he was 4 or 5 but definitely reading himself by then, so reception age.

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 22/04/2012 22:00

I think you're close there.You have a window of opportunity I think around the 4-6 age for those two books,before they're a little too old.

I'm an exception to this rule as I still love them and still adore Moon Face Blush

legoballoon · 22/04/2012 22:00

Am reading The Magic Faraway Tree 3-in-1 to my two DSs (6 & 4), which I picked up for about £4 on redhouse or bookpeople website (can't remember which, but always google for their voucher codes too). I loved them as a kid, but wondered whether they might find them a bit old fashioned. Whilst I'm finding them a bit old-fashioned (e.g. Joe, the brother, going up the ladder first as he has to protect his sisters; Joe being put to work in the garden whilst the girls do housework with their mother), my DSs are lapping it up - funnily enough the 4 y.o. seem to be more engaged than the 6 y.o. - who has just read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which may be a tad more sophisticated. It's very episodic, so well-suited to bed time reading - leave them on a cliff-hanger or read 2 or 3 chapters to give them a whole 'story'.

legoballoon · 22/04/2012 22:01

Skinnyvanillalatte, or Jimmy Carr, as well call him here.

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 22/04/2012 22:01

Also try The Wishing Chair.

Oh how I loved that!

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 22/04/2012 22:03

lego Grin

Mine loved the whole old fashioned bit - I took to calling them in to 'help mother' for a while and they revelled in it (bless 'em)

littleducks · 22/04/2012 22:10

I saw these in 'The Works' recently and they are very colourful with lots of pictures.

I read dd, 5, the enchanted wood and she loved it. She loved it but I found the alterations in the modern version disapointing (Dame Snap).

ImpatientOne · 22/04/2012 22:13

littleducks I agree!! I lent someone my original book - with all 3 stories - and have never had it back :(

Cheddars · 22/04/2012 22:17

I have recently read The Magic Faraway Tree and the Enchanted Wood to my 4yr old and she absolutely loved them.

What is the 3rd story called? I thought that there were only these 2!

Original poster
DontCallMeMummyPig · 22/04/2012 22:24

The third one was The Folk of the Faraway Tree, I think. Thanks all for your great advice. I'll give it a go. Excited! Grin

OP posts:
littleducks · 22/04/2012 22:26

Yes, I had the 3-in-1 book. Have no idea where it is now, I kept losts of childhood books but lost that one Sad.

legoballoon · 23/04/2012 13:04

Wasn't it Dame Slap in the original? Just to show how delicate the new generation are - mine looked really horrified that Dame Snap actually shouted in their ears... Poor lambs, they are going to keel over at Oliver Twist...

ImpatientOne · 23/04/2012 20:46

Yes it was Dame Slap.

I can't remember what the other changes were but my friend said that there were loads. I was totally brought up on Enid Blyton and am not letting another one go!

I bought my brother the complete Famous Five set for Christmas (he asked for it!) and wonder how many of those will have changed?... :(

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 24/04/2012 13:59

They changed Fanny's name to Frannie :(

TwllBach · 24/04/2012 14:03

I just bought a really pretty version for my niece who is three I think Grin I personally cannot wait until I have my own DC so I can read them all my old favourites mostly Enid Blyton

legoballoon · 24/04/2012 15:35

Pombear they should have got MNers to provide the 'namechanges' - would have been good to see Fan Jo included.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 25/04/2012 09:45

Grin lego

SoupDragon · 25/04/2012 09:46

I"m reading the Enchanted Wood to DD (6) at the moment. It is an original I bought from Ebay and the last pages are missing! I want to cry!

SoupDragon · 25/04/2012 09:48

They are very dated - I read mine in a very posh accent :o The Dame Slap chapter was horrendous!

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