Book Review: The Magic Faraway Tree

In spite of science, sports, religion, etc. literary works are also taking major role in giving lessons to children. Seeing Horace’s notion as the essence of literature, “utile et dulce”, which means to entertain and to teach, literary works for children are meant to be functioned on that way.
Children have their most original imaginations at their childhood. They would be learning things, following things and doing things like what they have found in their surroundings, yet, they would be enjoying such things they are playing at. Like, for an example, children would be very happy when they found something in the garden, like, a ladybug or a butterfly. They would feel satisfied and try to recognize more of the things they have discover, while, in other side teenagers would see it rather boring or couldn’t take the part of its fun.
However, even if we know that children are likely to play, norms and values have to be set by those who are have enough ages. In similar words, it is the responsibility of the older ones to teach children directly so that children would understand good things to be followed, or things are all cruel to be done..
That is what can be taken from Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree”. Learning things and playing at the same time. The story goes on with five children with their adventurous trip to fantastic lands of with their friends who live in enchanted woods. We might find similar characteristics of the plot in L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz”, but, what makes it difference Blyton elaborates every children interest like, sweats, riding vehicles, role play, etc. instead of that, the emotion of the story are optimistic even the characters got into troubles.
Reading Blyton’s would help children discovering the warmness of friendship, responsibility in answering mistakes, manners and respect and helping others. These are things would be easily learnt by children when they are reading the book. Moreover, certainly children couldn’t help the fun in reading this when they start to thought of the fantasy lands like, land of magic, land of presents and more. Blyton also put the main lesson correctly which is, the role of parents who mentioned to be the one who can allow them to do or not and, yet reasonable whenever giving disallowance to the children. She, Blyton, also gave an example of cruelness and rudeness represented in various characters in the story.
Blyton was a British children author. Most of her works are involving fantasy world. She had been written 600 titles of her books and her works are popular in Britain and Australia. Blyton’s works decreased and declined when she suffered Alzheimer disease at the last few years of her life.
After reading this book, I don’t think the book would be enjoyable for teenager. As what had been elaborated earlier, inside the book would not be something that could trigger teenagers excitement like, magical wars, monstrous creatures or else. But, it would be fun for teenagers who still have their childish imagination and taste and, above all that, this book are particularly designed for young children. pull the a straight line from the latter, Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree” would be a good choice to entertain and to teach children using literary work.