The Enchanted Wood (novel) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Enid Blyton |
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| Illustrator | Dorothy M. Wheeler |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Faraway Tree |
| Genre | Fantasy fiction |
| Publisher | George Newnes |
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Publication date
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May 1939 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| Followed by | The Magic Faraway Tree |
The Enchanted Wood is a super fun children's book by Enid Blyton. It's the first book in The Faraway Tree series. This story takes you on an amazing adventure with three children who discover a magical tree.
Contents
Plot Summary
Discovering the Faraway Tree
In this first book, three children named Jo, Bessie, and Fanny move to the countryside. (In newer versions, their names are Joe, Beth, and Frannie.) Their new home is right next to a huge, mysterious wood. One day, they decide to explore the wood. Deep inside, they find an enormous tree. Its branches are so tall they seem to touch the clouds! This incredible tree is called the Faraway Tree.
Life in the Faraway Tree
When the children climb the Faraway Tree, they discover it's very special. It grows all kinds of things, like apples, pears, nuts, and even oak leaves! Many magical creatures live there too. Some of their new friends include Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, the Saucepan Man, and Dame Washalot.
At the very top of the tree, there's a ladder. This ladder leads to amazing magical lands! The land at the top changes every time they visit. Each land moves on to make way for a new one. The children can visit these lands, but they must leave before the land moves away. If they don't, they'll be stuck there until that land returns to the Faraway Tree. Sometimes, one of the children gets stuck and needs help to get back!
Visiting Magical Lands
The lands at the top of the tree can be very different. Some are not so nice, like the Land of Dame Slap (or Dame Snap). She's a strict teacher for naughty pixies and fairies. Other lands are incredibly fun! These include the Land of Birthdays, the Land of Goodies, and the Land of Take-What-You-Want.
The first land the children visit is the Roundabout Land. There, they share cake with rabbits. The rabbits then dig a hole for everyone. The last land they visit in this book is the Land of Birthdays. Here, brownies and other Faraway Tree friends celebrate Bessie's birthday with a big party.
Lands in the Book
The Roundabout Land
This land spins around like a carousel and plays music. Rabbits live here, along with an old man who sings along. The land only stops spinning very rarely.
The Land of Ice and Snow
This land is completely covered in ice and snow. It has both a moon and a sun in the sky at the same time. Polar bears live here.
The Land of the Old Saucepan Man
The Saucepan Man used to live here before moving to the Faraway Tree. This island is often misty. It has steps made of saucepans leading down to his old home.
The Rocking Land
In this land, it's hard to move forward. For every step you take, you go back ten! The hills go up and down, and sometimes the whole land tips sideways. You have to grab a tree or you might roll off! Some believe a giant holds this land and tries to shake it off his back.
The Land of Take-What-You-Want
As its name suggests, in this land you can take anything you want for free!
The Land of Dame Slap (or Dame Snap)
This is where Dame Slap (later called Dame Snap) runs her school. She teaches naughty brownies, pixies, and fairies. She used to give out strict punishments, but in newer books, she just shouts instead of slapping.
The Land of Seagulls
This land is filled with many seagulls flying around.
The Land of the Red Goblins
The Red Goblins once lived here. However, Wizard Mighty-One captured them and took them to the Land of Wizards.
The Land of Wizards
This land is home to several powerful wizards. Wizard Mighty-One lives here, along with the captured Red Goblins.
The Land of Birthdays
You can only visit this land if someone has a birthday. It's a wonderful place that provides party food and games for birthday celebrations. Bessie's birthday party is held here.
