The Children of Cherry Tree Farm by Enid Blyton

Whether this is nature or nurture, I have no idea (and figure it is a bit of both), it is just something we have always done. As well, most days I read aloud to Immy as we eat breakfast or lunch – I find it a great way to settle my busy, once-toddler, now-preschooler and keep her at the table! Nowadays, it is every evening as part of Immy’s bedtime routine. Initially, our reading time was first thing in the morning, cuddled in bed together before we started the day. I think it is also important to note that we read together as part of our family’s daily rhythm every day, and have since Immy was a baby.

When & how we got started with longer stories I have fond memories of being captivated by the illustrated adventures of Jo, Bessie, Fanny in The Magic Faraway Tree, and Peter, Mollie and Chinky in The Wishing Chair, and later of being completely engrossed (as an independent reader) in the Famous Five and Secret Seven, not to mention the Naughtiest Girl and the students at Malory Towers! I must start by saying that I adored reading Enid Blyton as a child. The long answer includes a little more detail about how reading longer stories and novels together came to happen in our home, hopefully including a few tips for those of you who hope to introduce them to your own children. In response to my recent post, Living with an Imaginative Child, one reader asked at what stage I introduced Enid Blyton to Immy.The short answer is when she was three years old.

The Children of Cherry Tree Farm by Enid Blyton