I have started to read The Faraway Tree series to my young son. So far it's been lots of fun as the children (Joe, Beth and Frannie) has explored the woods near their new house, and found it full of fun and adventure, with new worlds to explore and magical creatures with which to become friends. I love how the main protagonists are an older brother, and two younger sisters, and how Joe, the big brother, knows he's the one who needs to look out for his sisters whilst they are on these adventures. He is a good big brother - level headed, and true to his word.
It's a book that both girls and boys will like. There is no feminization in these texts. It's not about a brother and two sisters who are visiting a mystical world of rainbows, unicorns and barbies call Wanda-Tulip the third, who only do ballet, and talk about how to set people up ready to date. And it's certainly not a book that is too old for his understanding. There's an old saying that boys read boys book and girls read books... this series is the perfect combo where boys and girls have characters they can relate to and vicariously live through as the adventure unfolds.
(Some parents may not enjoy the old world-ness of letting your kids go off into the wood by themselves and play; having a story talk about young children sneaking out of the house at night by themselves, or even letting them go with a stranger - which the parents do in the book with Saucepan Man. I agree with the sentiment, but whilst reading I've encouraged my young audience to remember it's a story, and not be done in real life.)
Having never read an Enid Blyton book before, there is enjoyment in her turn of phrase, and her English quaintness. The chapters are about 4 - 7 [ages long - bites sized enough not to be laborous, but long enough to be a proper chapter book. Happily there are six books in the series - they may last us until the end of the year. (Hopefully.)
