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Books like The Faraway Tree

27 replies

Mouscadoo · 07/11/2022 12:59

My daughter who is 2.8 yrs is really enjoying the Faraway Tree, we read it to her at bedtime and she loves it! Any recommendations of books similar to this that she might enjoy. Thanks!

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CatJumperTwat · 07/11/2022 13:03

The Wishing Chair is very similar.

ofwarren · 07/11/2022 13:04

I was just going to recommend the wishing chair which is also by Enid Blyton too.
Very similar type of story.

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/11/2022 13:40

Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door
The Secret Rescuers
The Magic Secrets Box

CakeCrumbs44 · 07/11/2022 13:46

Was also going to suggest the Wishing Chair. Although I didn't enjoy them as much as the Faraway Tree (to read aloud to my child) as they're a bit more repetitive.

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Mouscadoo · 07/11/2022 15:14

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Great to get some ideas

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ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/11/2022 15:22

I never found a book to beat that. It was my DD’s most favourite book ever.

Sn0tnose · 07/11/2022 16:11

The ‘Uncle’ series by JP Martin. Uncle is a very rich elephant who lives in a castle and who wears a purple dressing gown. I loved these when I was a child and they’re still in print so have bought them for children in the family. I think they’re illustrated by Quentin Blake now.

BakingQueen14 · 07/11/2022 16:17

Have you got the short story Enid Blyton books? There's quite a lot of them. Magic&Mischief, winter tales, summer tales etc. They were very popular in this house as was Faraway tree.

Also, a bit different but Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf. We bought the collection and DS loved them. Completely timeless.

Hedgehogsaremything · 07/11/2022 16:20

The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne have a similar vibe but there's a lot more historical information in them.

Hedgehogsaremything · 07/11/2022 16:24

Hedgehogsaremything · 07/11/2022 16:20

The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne have a similar vibe but there's a lot more historical information in them.

They're also a great first chapter book read. And the author is specialises in phonics and so the vocab is really well suited to early readers. There is a tree house, the wind blows and everything goes swirly and the children visit a particular point in history.

Cattenberg · 28/11/2022 00:22

I loved the Faraway Tree and the Wishing Chair.

Five Children and It? (Disclaimer - I haven’t read it for at least 30 years)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

Your child might be too young for them, but I’m amazed that a two-year-old can follow the Magic Faraway Tree!

KateBalesCardi · 28/11/2022 00:33

Enid Blyton's Book of Fairies and Book of Brownies, lovely stories with the same kind of magic as the Faraway Tree.

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Mouscadoo · 28/11/2022 09:21

@Cattenberg we were shocked also. Her older cousin who is 13 gave it to her when we visited one day. Brought it home and read it that night. She asked for it every night after that.

Normally she would fall asleep whilst we read to her but never with The Faraway Tree. She would wake up the next day and talk about all the characters Moonface, Silky, Topsy-turvy land etc and actually recount the story from the night before! She absolutely loves reading!

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Mouscadoo · 28/11/2022 09:29

@KateBalesCardi we got her the Magical Fairy Tales and The Wishing Chair along with a few others that were recommended here. Actually finished the Faraway Tree and now reading Matilda but shes not as interested in it. She likes anything with pictures to prompt her aswell.

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rusholmeruffians · 28/11/2022 09:46

Mrs Pepperpot books by Alf Proysen. Another Faraway Tree fan here and I loved Mrs Pepperpot as a child.

Swearwolf · 28/11/2022 09:48

My girl loved My Naughty Little Sister, and also try the Hotel Flamingo series, that's lovely.

Muststopeating · 28/11/2022 10:12

These threads cost me a fortune!

I am working through Amazon reviews to figure out which are illustrated as my kids (4 & 5) are enjoying slightly longer books like Claude but still enjoy the pictures.

@Mouscadoo you mentioned that your DD enjoys pictures, does that mean the Faraway Tree series is well illustrated throughout?

I've been toying with buying it for the Yoto (in a desperate plea to get my kids to use it more) but now wondering if it would be better as a bedtime book.

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Mouscadoo · 28/11/2022 12:07

@Muststopeating it's actually not heavily illustrated but she likes having the occasional picture to prompt her. She honestly loves it so much!

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grumpyparrot · 28/11/2022 12:11

Love the Faraway Tree! Highly recommend the 'House of Arden' books by E. Nesbit.

AlliwantforChristmasisgu · 28/11/2022 12:37

Brambley Hedge is perfect for that age.

eddiemairswife · 28/11/2022 12:59

I used to enjoy Milly Molly Mandy.

pndorjustme · 28/11/2022 12:59

Blackberry magic

pndorjustme · 28/11/2022 13:00

Omg Milly Molly Mandy
And my naughty little sister

Also Percy the park keeper with the fold out maps I used to go wild for those

CoolShoeshine · 28/11/2022 13:56

Possibly out of print now but I loved the Victoria Plum books when little. A similar forest setting to Enchanted Wood with animals and fairies. The illustrations were divine too!

Mossstitch · 28/11/2022 14:26

I had a very early reader who loved Enid Blyton. He enjoyed the 'Naughty Amelia Jane' stories as well as the faraway tree and wishing chair.

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