With this year marking the 75th anniversary of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series, how relevant are her books in modern society" Francesca Baker finds out
At a recent writing workshop, the tutor asked us to think of our childhood heroes. As well as Superman, Dad and King Arthur, a surprising number chose Enid Blyton characters. Darrell Rivers, the heroine of Malory Towers, was one that particularly resonated. Warm-hearted, with strong values, kind towards those in need ? but with a fierce temper ? she was admirable, yet real.
In a world where it can be tempting to fill our children?s brains with facts and figures, it can be easy to neglect the power of imagination. According to bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud, who together with Susan Elderkin is the author of The Story Cure: An A-Z of Books to Keep Kids Happy, Healthy and Wise, part of the value of stories is that they are shared, and the parent-child relationship deepened. Although she went to a boarding school where Blyton?s books were banned because of ?bad grammar?, Berthoud regularly read the author?s books with her own children, citing The Magic Faraway Tree as a particular favourite because of the way it ?sparked their imaginations?. Both Berthoud and Elderkin recommend this particular title to encourage a child?s spirit of adventure. Blyton?s books are all about discovery, and it?s her characters? compulsively curious nature that we love. They don?t just accept, but ask what and why ? then get stuck into fin...