Silky's Story (The Magic Faraway Tree Book 6)

[Moonraker]

I have just seen this in W H Smith's Kingston branch. It is very much a book to be read to a 2-year-old - I even considered it for my youngest granddaughter - until I opened it up. Horrendous illustrations make it seem almost a horror story. Just look at the Saucepan Man! I think it would give such a child nightmares!

Click on the link and you can see a brief example of its contents:

Amazon link

It isn't a new book, but the first time I have seen it. I wondered if Enid would be horrified or pleased that her name lived on in this publication - my wife thought the latter. I'm not convinced.

[pete9012S]

Is Mark Beech the illustrator Nigel?

Looking into the cave, he seems to have done quite a lot of illustrations for Enid's work!
https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/sea ... Mark+Beech

Maybe time for a change, or are we stick with him forever now?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I have Silky's Story and Moonface's Story sitting on the shelf (no, I didn't buy them!) but haven't read them yet. I'll report back whenever I do!

[IceMaiden]

Those are ghastly. I believe Enid Blyton would be horrified and not pleased in the slightest. From reading articles in various journals I get the distinct impression she was very protective of her books, characters and creations along with her own image and reputation and would not be at all happy at being associated with this or any other of the modern add ons. Far from being "delighted" at having her name living on I reckon she'd be appalled at having her name put on this rubbish.

[Moonraker]

Is Mark Beech the illustrator Nigel?
Looking into the cave, he seems to have done quite a lot of illustrations for Enid's work!

Looking deeper in the Cave, he most certainly is, Pete! He has also illustrated a later one, Moonface's Story.

[Boodi 2]

The illustrations remind me a bit of those by Gemma Correll, who (I assume as a joke) claims that she hires a five-year old called Alan to do all her work for her and pays him in fudge. Among other things she has illustrated books by A.L. Kennedy, but I have to say that I am not very impressed with her work

[Anita Bensoussane]

I've just read Silky's Story and Moonface's Story. Both tales (by Jeanne Willis and Emily Lamm respectively) are so short and fast-paced that there is no room for the detail, atmosphere and tension that make Enid Blyton's originals so special. The children are called Frannie, Joe and Beth, and pop biscuits have become pop cakes - changes which were made to the main books years ago but which still grate. Silky's Story involves an elephant from a roundabout causing trouble (it's easily placated) while Moonface's Story, about a birthday cake, is so trivial that it's hardly worth the effort of turning the pages.

Mark Beech's illustrations are colourful with plenty going on, so they may well attract the eye and arouse curiosity. However, the fact that they're rather scribbly and slapdash with awkward-looking characters gives the wrong impression of the Enchanted Wood in my opinion. They look frantic and zany yet inconsequential, failing to capture the rich awe and wonder of Enid Blyton's extraordinary fantasy world in which the hushed, whispering wood is as important as the action-packed lands at the top of the Faraway Tree.

All in all, Silky's Story and Moonface's Story are tame and uninspiring reads. I'd much rather a child discovered the Enchanted Wood through the imaginative original books, with inspiring illustrations by the likes of Dorothy Wheeler, Rene Cloke or Georgina Hargreaves.

[Lucky Star]

Thanks for the review Anita. The originals are always the best. Part of the joy was the slow but rich character development that Enid gave us. It sounds like these latest efforts are nothing but money spinners.

[Moonraker]

I think the originals are too advanced for bedtime reading to a 2 year-old. However, after looking at these books, I will wait until she is old enough!

[Debbie]

If that's meant to be Moonface on the front cover it reminds me far more of Jack Pumpkinhead in "Return to Oz".

[John Pickup]

I don't like the illustrations at all but what a 68 years old man thinks is of no concern to the publisher. If today's children like them, that's fine.

[pete9012S]

The illustrations remind me a bit of those by Gemma Correll, who (I assume as a joke) claims that she hires a five-year old called Alan to do all her work for her and pays him in fudge.

That made me chuckle!