A History of England’s Writers for Children
Enid Blyton was one of England’s best-selling children’s writers, her extraordinary imagination producing much-loved books like The Folk of the Faraway Tree.
The daughter of a Sheffield cutlery salesman, he was also a keen naturalist who knew everything about birds, animals and flowers. After training as a teacher, Enid married a former soldier turned publisher, then focused on her writing, before sadly developing dementia.
There are varying accounts of Enid’s life, with different stories by each daughter. Gyles Brandreth has written a good post, when he went to visit them both. He credits some of his own writing down to reading her books, as a child.
Whatever you think of his political views (he used to be a Conservative MP), he is a very good writer and storyteller, and one of England’s most popular after-dinner speakers. You only get that with a good imagination, likely fostered by books in childhood.
What is certain is that those of us who love to write (and can’t stop!), is often down to being encouraged to read good books as a child. Not just for education, but to foster imagination. And Enid’s extraordinary Folk of the Faraway Books likely has turned many children into adult writers.
‘Come back and have tea with us’ said Moon-Face. ‘Silky’s got some Pop Biscuits, and I’ve made some Google Buns. I don’t often make them – and I tell you there’s a treat!’
Blyton’s writing career is a study in sheer productivity. Over four decades, she published more than 700 books and penned thousands of short stories. On some days, she could write as many as 10,000 words, spinning out tales that captured children’s hearts.
Her stories weren’t confined to single books. Series like The Famous Five and Secret Seven offered a steady stream of adventures, letting readers grow up alongside their favourite characters.
Blyton’s imagination moved quickly, filling pages with hidden caves, talking trees, and secret societies. Her worlds encourage children to stretch their own imaginations just as far.
Controversies and Criticism
Blyton’s legacy has faced plenty of scrutiny. Critics point out outdated views, with some stories carrying attitudes on race, gender, and class that feel uncomfortable today. Libraries and readers have debated how her books should be presented, or whether they belong on modern shelves.
Yet her stories keep their fans. Many argue that her work reflects the time in which she wrote, and updates or introductions help new readers navigate tricky aspects.
It’s tricky. But times change. For instance, most of us abhor fox-hunting, but the lauded writer Beatrix Potter had her wishes reversed that her land gift to the National Trust, was only on the condition that foxhunting (now banned by law) continue for the rest of time.
So does that mean no child should ever read about the Adventures of Peter Rabbit?
Who matters more? Snobby literary types, or the hundreds of millions who have lovingly consumed her work, without any idea of Blyton’s personal views? Dan Wooton (journalist and broadcaster)
Obviously we can choose to no longer support books about golliwogs. But most of Enid’s books would never cause offence, and give rise to fostering tremendous imagination in children.
The Folk of the Faraway Tree
Perhaps nothing shows Blyton’s creative energy better than the wildly inventive Faraway Tree series, a set of books that invites readers into a place where nothing is quite as it seems.
The Faraway Tree itself stands tall in the Enchanted Wood, a tree so enormous that worlds visit its top. Every time someone climbs up, they discover a new land – upside-down towns, talking birds, and moon-faced characters who break every rule of the real world.
The heroes, children travel alongside characters like Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, and Saucepan Man. The lands they visit are as random as a child’s daydream. Sometimes it’s the Land of Toys, other times the Land of Take-What-You-Want or the bizarre Land of Dame Slap (later changed to Dame Snap).
This tree isn’t just a setting. It gives children and readers a kind of passport to anywhere – from cloud-capped mountains to slapstick lands of sweets and silly rules. Imagination runs loose, turning the familiar woods into a portal for endless creativity.
The Faraway Tree books have stood the test of time, their pages worn thin in bedrooms and schools since the 1940s. Part of their strength lies in the books’ joyful unpredictability. No two chapters look the same, and children sense that anything can happen next.
Something you should not update things (The Day The Earth Stood Still, The Ladykillers etc). But (very good) writer Jacqueline Wilson was asked to write a new faraway story, and The Magic Faraway Tree has had rave reviews.
Milo, Mia and Birdy are keen to return to the cottage by the Enchanted Wood for Christmas to visit their friends. Which amazing worlds will arrive at the top of the Faraway Tree at this time of year?
The children are hoping for a trip to the Land of Presents or perhaps the Land of Snow. But before they can celebrate, there is a chilling visit to the Land of the Frozen North . . .
Roald Dahl’s Strange Stories for Children
Roald Dahl stands out as one of the most beloved children’s authors, yet he rarely wrote what anyone would call a typical tale. He blended whimsy with the bizarre, spinning narratives where dreams and nightmares often share the same page. His characters don’t just eat chocolate or chat with giants – they face wild punishments and offbeat adults, always with a glimmer of hope and humour.
If you look closer, you’ll find some of his oddest stories owe their mood and magic to Dahl’s turbulent life. From painful loss to lasting friendships, the roots of his tales run deep.
Dahl was born in 1916 in the seaside town of Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents. His father, Harald, ran a successful business, while his mother, Sofie, kept their home tied to Norwegian customs, speaking the language and attending a Norwegian church.
Dahl grew up surrounded by stories from Norse mythology and the old country, passed down by his mother during long, cosy evenings. He was named after the polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who disappeared on an Arctic expedition flight when he was 55.
Age 6 he and his mother travelled to the Lake District, as he was passionate about meeting his heroine Beatrix Potter, and he went on to write many books for children himself.
Roald fought boredom on family trips to Norway by dreaming up wild stories. After working for an oil company and flying planes for the Royal Air Force during World War II, he began to make a name for his storytelling.
Roald wrote in his garden shed, with HB pencils on yellow paper. And was a big friendly giant himself at 6ft 6in.
A bit like Enid Blyton, there is controversy over some of his Roald’s personal views. But likely nobody is perfect, and perhaps if alive now, his views would have shifted on certain topics. What we do know is that he instilled imagination and a love of storytelling in young minds.
I understand what you’re saying, and your comments are valuable. But I’m gonna ignore your advice. Fantastic Mr Fox
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away. And in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall. Then fill the shelves with lots of books. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year – the face gets uglier and uglier, until you can hardly bear to look at it. Mr Twits
School Experiences That Shaped His Storytelling
Dahl’s school days were nothing like a fairy-tale. He attended a strict boarding school, first at Llandaff Cathedral School, then later at St Peter’s and finally at Repton. The teachers ruled with fear. Punishments were harsh, and small mistakes brought sharp words or even canings.
Many of these school memories never left him. Authoritarian headmasters, the smell of boiled cabbage, and the shock of unfairness all worked their way into his books. If you’ve read Matilda and squirmed at the cruel Miss Trunchbull, you’ve seen how those memories turned into unforgettable villains.
But it wasn’t all bad. At Repton, cadets were chosen to test new chocolate bars from Cadbury’s. Tasting odd new sweets turned into the wild, dreamy ideas behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
We all remember the Oompa Loompas and their catchy song! Dahl himself was disappointed with the 1971 film, which was also a box office flop, only becoming popular years later. Some years after that, Johnny Depp reprised the role as Willy Wonka (and despite his recent public spats in court, nobody can deny he is an excellent actor).
Just like many old-fashioned fairy tales, this book has a moral tale to tell, that of the seven sins. Each child has a particular sin (gluttony, pride, greed, wrath, sloth), and meets a sticky end, usually involving chocolate.
Few giants in fiction charm like The BFG. This big galoot doesn’t stomp or scare; he collects dreams and befriends witty young Sophie. What truly sets this book apart is gobblefunk, a language Dahl invented. Think of it like a comic stew of real and nonsense words, making even adults read aloud with silly grins.
Phrases like “frobscottle” and “snozzcumber” paint a world packed with both delight and weirdness. Gobblefunk isn’t just a joke; it pulls young readers into learning by play, showing that strange sounds and new words can be a doorway to adventure.
His stories often shocked adults with their wicked humour and dark endings. Many of his books ended up adapted for TV in Tales of the Unexpected.
Roald and Ian Fleming met during World War II, and they collaborated on work later on. Roald wrote the storyline for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, and he also adapted Ian’s children story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for film.
Ian Fleming’s brother was married to Celia Johnson, who played the lead part in Noel Coward’s beautiful film Brief Encounter.
A Very Dramatic Private Life
Roald’s private live was very dramatic. He married American actress Patricia Neal (above, who played the mother living in the boarding house in the 1950s sci-film The Day The World Stood Still). In 1960, their baby was badly injured when struck by a taxi in New York.
Roald helped to develop a device to alleviate the medical condition caused by the accident, which has since been used successfully for thousands of children worldwide.
Two years later, their young daughter died of measles. Roald also then lost faith in religion, when he was told by the former Archbishop of Canterbury that although his daughter was in paradise, her beloved dog Rowley would never join her. He later wrote:
I wanted to ask him how he could be so sure. I sat there wondering if this great and famous churchman really knew what he was talking about, and whether he knew anything at all about God or heaven. And if he didn’t, then who in the world did?
As if that was not enough tragedy, in 1965 his wife (while pregnant with their fifth child) suffered three burst cerebral aneurysms, fell into a coma for weeks, and had to learn to walk and talk again.
Beatrix Potter and Hawkshead Village
Hawkshead is a pretty ‘chocolate box’ village in the southern Lake District, near Esthwaite Water (one of the smaller and quieter lakes, known for its wild ospreys). It has strong literary connections, being where Grasmere poet William Wordsworth attended school.
Hawkshead Grammar School is now a museum, as when numbers dwindled to just six students, it had to close. Wordsworth was vocal that his favourite teacher was William Taylor who taught poetry, but sadly he died age just 32, from TB.
One previous headmaster caused controversy after he had ‘got with a child’ with the local servant girl, and was brought before magistrates. He was still allowed to teach, to the dismay of local residents.
This village is also where children’s writer Beatrix Potter met her husband. They soon moved to Near Sawrey, a tiny hamlet a few miles away where she wrote her famous books.
Today, it’s a National Trust property (home to one of four plant-based eateries – Joey’s Café (founded by a climber who decided to switch professions, after recovering from a serious accident).
Beatrix Potter (despite the cute bunny image) gave over the property, on the condition that fox-hunting would always be allowed. Of course, the law has thankfully changed since then, so fox-hunting is now illegal nationwide. As a talented botanist, her field notes and sketches are still studied today.
Why The Wizard of Oz Still Captivates Children
The Wizard of Oz was of course a Hollywood film (and nothing to do with England). But it remains one of the most popular children’s films ever (almost 100 years after its release). And with good reason.
Because as well as imparting important messages (more on that later), it revolves around something that many young children these days are lacking, due to ‘pressing things with batteries’ to make them do anything: imagination.
L Frank Baum was the American author of the book (written in 1900) that went on to become one of the best-loved children’s films of all time. He actually lived in South Dakota (not Kansas) and had written many other children’s books, not just this one.
Interestingly, Frank grew up in a wealthy family in New York State, but was severely disciplined for ‘daydreaming’ at the military academy he was sent to, allowed to return home after a heart attack, possibly induced by the stress of military life. So his fierce imagination was evident back then.
When asked later how he ‘thought up the book’, Frank replied ‘It was pure inspiration. It came to me right out of the blue. I think that sometimes the Great Author had a message to get across and He was to use the instrument at hand’.
The film actually lost a colossal amount of money at the box office. And only began to bring in revenue, when it started to air in the 50s, and became more popular each time it was shown.
Ever since its release in 1939, children and adults have been drawn to its colourful world, catchy songs, and unforgettable characters, inviting each new generation to follow the yellow brick road.
Judy Garland was chosen for the role of Dorothy, due to her incredible mature singing voice (despite being only 17). One of the film’s six Oscar nominations was for the song that she sang – Over the Rainbow.
Experts have noted that unlike some singers with drink/drug addictions whose performances have suffered, her early vaudeville training with breath support, is the reason why despite her personal issues, her performances were still outstanding, right up to her early death.
Adaptation from L. Frank Baum’s Book
The book by L Frank Baum is actually more detailed, there being four lands in different colours (a yellow land, not featured in the film is included). This was the land of the ‘winkies’ that were known for their tin-crafting skills (the book is really more for adults, than children).
Bringing the book to life as a film meant it had to be simplified for younger viewers. As the book has strange dark moments that would not suit a family film (although the witch was quite scary for children!) Plus the book did not have musical numbers!
In the original book, the ‘ruby slippers’ on Dorothy’s feet were actually silver. They were switched to red, to make them shine in the Technicolour. Which happens when her house lands in the land of Oz, after being uprooted from a cyclone in Kansas.
The Actors of The Wizard of Oz Film
Judy Garland (who came from a vaudeville act of three singing sisters) alas went on to have a quite tragic life. This naturally gifted pretty girl was already being told she was overweight on set, and was given pills of all kinds by the end of the film. Which likely led to her drug addiction, which led to her early death age just 47.
In real life, her daughter Liza Minnelli married the son of Jack Haley, the actor who played the ‘tin man’. A devout Catholic, he went to Mass daily and regularly appeared on a 50s TV show called The Christophers, which advocated for showing ‘positive and ethical behaviour in the media’ – how times have changed.
The original choice of the tin man was Beverly Hillbillies actor Buddy Epsen, who had to drop out, when he almost died from ‘fermented blood’, caused by aluminium paint poisoning (the formula had to be changed).
Roy Bolger who played the friendly scarecrow was a lifelong entertainer, who in real life was a more serious Catholic Republican, who enjoyed almost 60 years of happy marriage, though they never had children. Know for his kind approachable nature, he lived to the ripe old age of 103.
Very religious, he said he had read the story as a child, and thought the book was always a reminder of wisdom from the Bible, that his mother had pointed out to him: ‘The kingdom of God is indeed inside all of us, if we’ll only seek and find it there’.
Bert Lahr (who played the cowardly lion) was another Vaudeville act, who used the high wages to support all his family, which included a former wife who had sadly had to go into an institution, after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
If we could turn back time, film-making would have been more humane. As the lion’s costume was indeed made from real lion fur, likely from a zoo or hunting expedition. Thankfully times have moved on.
And what of the Munchkins? We now know that Judy was complaining at some taking peeks under the dress (when she still a minor), something that would now be illegal. She later said ‘They were little drunks. They got smashed every night, and the police used to scoop them up in nets’.
But not all were like that. One of the few surviving female munchkin actors has told of how kind Margaret Hamilton was, telling them not to be scared when she was about to play the wicked witch.
The Wicked Witch (nicer than you’d think!)
Margaret Hamilton who played the Wicked Witch of the West was in real life a charming lady, who when first told she had won a part in the film, believed it was to play kindly Aunt Em! She suffered third degree burns when the toxic copper (green paint) ignited in an accident.
In real life, Margaret was a former kindergarten teacher, who campaigned for animal welfare and children’s education. She was just 36 when she played this part (18 years younger than the actress who played the Good Witch).
A Good Witch (descended from Edward I)
Billie Burke was the beautiful ‘good witch’ who helped Dorothy return to Kansas. In real life, the great-granddaughter of King Edward I moved to Broadway, after a successful career on the London stage. And bought a mansion in New York by age 24.
However she and husband lost everything overnight in the Wall Street Crash. Her husband’s death then left her in grief and debt. She was 54 when she played the part, yet is remembered for being one of the most beautiful screen presences ever in a film.
The Sad Life of ‘Aunt Em’ Actress
The actress who played Aunt Em had an ending as sad as Judy. When consumed in her 80s with arthritic paint (and about to to blind), she took some pills, put a plastic bag on her head and wrote a note asking ‘I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen’. Uncle Henry was played by actor Charley Grapewin, a former trapeze artist.
