I chanced upon a stack of Faraway Tree books at the book exchange corner and only took one of them because I wasn’t sure if the son would take to it. Part of it stemmed from my reservations. I mean, I enjoyed reading Enid Blyton when I was young but she was seriously so prolific that I couldn’t distinguish one book from the other. Eminently forgettable. Though I did enjoy reading the Faraway Tree adventures so no harm trying it out.
The son didn’t protest when I sat him on my lap and read it aloud to him. Which was amazing since the book comprised about a hundred pages. Still, he never wavered in his concentration. I guess kids these days are lucky. Publishers will rebrand stories and hire illustrators to make the story come alive with vivid and colourful illustrations. I wonder how I got hooked on reading back then. Zero pictures. Nothing bolded to emphasise key events.
Of course, one could argue that we were luckier because we could harness our imagination to visualise the events. But well, I thought that the illustrations added to the story rather than deprived readers of a chance to use their imagination.
Like before, I would forget what I have read by next week, but there’s something comforting about reading Enid Blyton. I just know that the characters will manage to solve their problems and have a satisfying closure. The son said that he didn’t mind reading another Enid Blyton book again, so I guess his inaugural venture into her world was a success.
I hadn't heard of Enid Blyton, but I'm having trouble keeping a supply of new books in the house (three readers all reading), so I'll check it out.
I think children are not just lucky with the increase in illustrations: there really are many many more writers writing for children.
My memories of reading when I was little are that there was very limited supply and often the books were kind of odd. Like most of the writers who were able to get published but only chose to do children's books were really weird.
Now it seems as interesting/exciting as adult publishing.
I think this shows how Singapore used to a British colony. Enid Blyton books used to be ubiquitous in Singapore when I was growing up — in the same league as Roald Dahl.
What authors do your boys read? I recommend kate dicamillo and Andrew Clements as well. Trust an English teacher haha.
And what did you read while growing up? Hans Christian Anderson? He’s the only author I can think of who includes weird subliminal messages in his work
Haven't read it before. But you're right.
But
Well, this one is what I think it's the way to promote creativity in the children.
Yes, because our imagination is limitless
Yeeeees, when I was a kid!
Which was your favourite?
I loved the Secret Seven the most
As a kid I devoured any of The Adventure Series books I got my mittens on.
Looking back over the titles, I recall 6 out of the 8. The Castle of Adventure was my favorite one. But they're pretty much interchangeable.
They will really bold words in the story? That would seem odd to me I think