10 Best Books of Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton, a titan of children’s literature, penned over 700 stories during her illustrious career, captivating the imaginations of young readers worldwide. Her books, brimming with adventure, mystery, and the joy of discovery, have become timeless classics. Among her vast repertoire, here is list of 10 Best Books of Enid Blyton, each offering a unique gateway into enchanting worlds where children embark on extraordinary expeditions. These selected works exemplify Blyton’s incredible ability to weave compelling narratives that continue to delight and inspire generations.

Famous Five Series

The Famous Five series, includes stories about five friends – Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and their dog Timmy. They have exciting adventures during their school holidays, often finding themselves solving mysteries involving criminals or searching for hidden treasures. Many of their adventures happen near George’s home, Kirrin Cottage, and on Kirrin Island.

The stories are set in beautiful, rural places where they enjoy the outdoors, like picnics and bike rides. Initially, Blyton planned to write only a few books, but they became so popular that she ended up writing twenty-one. These books sold millions of copies, making them some of the best-selling children’s books ever. They have been turned into TV shows and movies. The name “The Famous Five” was first used by their publisher in 1951, after many books were already published.

Malory Tower Series

The Malory Towers is a series about a girls’ boarding school, written by Enid Blyton and later continued by Pamela Cox. The main character, Darrell Rivers, experiences life at Malory Towers with friends and challenges. Starting from her first year, Darrell deals with making friends, controlling her temper, and solving problems. The series covers her journey from the first year to becoming Head Girl in her final year.

Along the way, Darrell and her friends encounter mysteries, personal growth, and adventures, including school plays, exams, and rescues. The stories highlight themes of friendship, honesty, and determination. After Darrell leaves, the books follow her younger sister, Felicity. Altogether, there are 12 books, with Blyton writing the first six and Cox adding six more, focusing on life at Malory Towers and the adventures and challenges the girls face.

Secret Seven Series

The Secret Seven is a series of children’s detective books, about seven kids named Peter, Janet, Pam, Barbara, Jack, Colin, and George who solve mysteries. Peter is the leader, and Janet is his sister. They form a group called the Secret Seven Society. Unlike many other detective groups in stories, they have adventures during their school time because they go to day schools, not boarding schools.

Jack’s sister, Susie, and her friend Binkie often try to play tricks on the Seven because they really want to be part of the group. The series has 17 books, including two new scary stories added by author Pamela Butchart. These books are fun tales of friendship and adventure as the kids work together to solve mysteries.

The Enchanted Wood (The Faraway Tree, #1)

The novel “The Enchanted Wood” is the first book in the Faraway Tree series. It tells the story of three children, Jo, Bessie, and Fanny (later named Franny in updated versions), who move to the countryside and find a magical forest next to their house. In this forest, they discover a special tree called the Faraway Tree, which is home to magical creatures like Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, and Saucepan Man.

The kids and their new friends go on adventures to different magical lands at the top of the tree, such as the Roundabout Land and Toyland. They experience exciting and sometimes risky adventures. The book is about having fun and using your imagination, without any specific lessons. Some parts of the book were changed in newer versions, which upset some fans. The original version is treasured by those who prefer it unchanged.

Claudine at St Clare’s

The book “Claudine at St. Clare’s” is part of the St. Clare’s series. It’s about twins Pat and Isabel’s experiences at their boarding school, St Clare’s, along with their friends and some new students. This book introduces Claudine, Eileen, Pauline, and Angela. Claudine is funny and causes a bit of mischief, Eileen is quiet but ends up in trouble, Pauline pretends to be rich but isn’t, and Angela is rich and snobby.

The story includes a midnight feast, misunderstandings, and lessons about honesty and kindness. Eileen gets caught stealing to help her brother, leading to a dramatic moment where her mother, the new matron, has to decide her fate. In the end, the characters learn about forgiveness, the importance of being true to oneself, and the value of friendship. It’s a story filled with adventures, challenges, and the girls standing up for what’s right.

The O’Sullivan Twins

Enid Blyton’s “The O’Sullivan Twins” is the second book in the St. Clare’s series. Pat and Isabel O’Sullivan return to St Clare’s for another term, bringing along their cousin Alison. They meet new friends like the kind and talented Lucy and the misunderstood Margery, who seems tough but is dealing with personal problems.

The book is filled with adventures, like a midnight feast that leads to a mix-up about who snitched to the teachers. Margery becomes a hero by saving Erica from a fire, changing how everyone sees her. Meanwhile, funny pranks and serious moments, like helping Lucy’s family, blend together to show the importance of understanding and friendship. It’s a story about growing up, making amends, and the power of second chances.

The Wishing Chair Series

The collection of “The Wishing Chair” includes three magical stories by Enid Blyton about siblings Mollie and Peter, and their adventures with a magical chair that can fly. In “Adventures of the Wishing-Chair,” they discover the chair in a mysterious shop, meet a pixie named Chinky (later Binky), and embark on various magical journeys. “The Wishing-Chair Again” sees the siblings eagerly awaiting new adventures during their summer holidays, facing challenges like recovering their stolen chair and dealing with mischievous characters.

The final book, “More Wishing-Chair Stories,” compiled in 2000, brings together additional enchanting tales, including visits to the Land of Wishes and helping Santa Claus. These stories, filled with fantasy and adventure, showcase Blyton’s imaginative storytelling, captivating children with the wonders of magical lands and the boundless possibilities of a flying chair.

The Magic Faraway Tree (The Faraway Tree, #2)

The second book in Faraway Tree series, “The Magic Faraway Tree,” is a magical adventure that follows Jo, Bessie, Fanny, and their cousin Dick. They explore the Faraway Tree, a magical tree filled with enchanting creatures and a ladder that leads to different lands at the top. The children have thrilling adventures in these lands, which are both exciting and sometimes dangerous.

The book is loved for its creativity, entertaining storytelling, and the way it brings to life a world of magic. Blyton has a way of making the characters feel real and the adventures they embark on memorable. Even the quieter characters have their place in the story, and the children’s mother gets to experience the magic too. This story is celebrated for its imagination, fun, and the joy it brings to readers.

The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage (The Five Find-Outers, #1)

Written by Enid Blyton “The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage” is a cool detective story for kids. It’s the first book about a group of five kids who call themselves the Five Find-Outers. The story starts when Mr. Hick’s cottage catches fire, and everyone’s trying to figure out who did it. The team includes Larry, Daisy, Pip, Bets, and a new kid named Fatty.

They think maybe a tramp, a fired servant, a mean colleague, or the cook might be behind it. All of them find clues like squashed nettles, a footprint, and remember some planes flying overhead. They figure out Mr. Hick was lying about being away because he saw those planes. Turns out, he burned his cottage to get insurance money. They also meet Inspector Jenks, who ends up being a big help and a friend.

The Adventure Series

Enid Blyton’s The Adventure Series is a fun collection of eight books about four kids named Philip, Jack, Dinah, and Lucy-Ann, who go on thrilling adventures. Jack’s talking parrot, Kiki, always joins them, adding to the fun. These stories are all about the kids exploring on their own and cracking mysteries without grown-ups’ help.

Enid Blyton, who wrote a lot of children’s books, created these exciting tales really quickly, with each book taking her less than a week to write. The books are famous for their eye-catching covers and cool drawings inside, done by Stuart Tresilian. This series, published from 1944 to 1955, is still loved by readers for its adventure and mystery.

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