So, the children run away and discover a cave, which they set-up to make all homely for themselves, while hatching a plan to bring the housekeepers to justice. Born in London in 1897, Enid lived much of her life in Buckinghamshire and loved dogs, gardening and the countryside.

The parts I skip if I can is where they meet new friends (not in this particular book I’m reviewing) whose parents have died (hence they have a mean uncle/guardian who is up to no good and the F5 have to solve the mystery). Hopefully there’ll be more of the latter and less lording it over the servants in future adventures. Her books have sold over 500 million copies and have been translated into more languages more often than any other children's author.Enid Blyton's stories are read and loved by millions of children (and grown-ups) all over the world. The Sticks are a criminal group willing to exploit the illness of Aunt Fanny and the naivety of Uncle Quentin to their own ends.

Comic side relief is provided by the continued tormenting of young Master Stick whose parents the Five are going to have jailed.However, to have a wretched individual make accusations against you, and then you not being allowed to defend yourself is not a nice position to be in, especially when your superior seems to use any excuse that comes about to criticise and condemn your actions. Mrs Stick repeatedly tries to poison George's dog Timmy, prompting George to hatch a secret plan to run away to Kirrin Island. Jennifer Armstrong and her family are never mentioned, although the Sticks kidnap George and Dick before Julian and Anne rescue them. We started to make jokes about Famous Five “All the do is picnic and talk about how delicious their apples are.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Anyone who hasn’t read Enid Blyton, I recommend starting with the Enchanted Wood (1st of 3) - it was magical to me as a kid, and it’s how my son started loving chapter books at age 5/6. When I read this book in my childhood for the very first time, the FF’s behavior never came across as nasty to me. Aunt Fanny - re-christened as Aunt Francis - is not taken sick, she goes to visit a friend, who needs support having broken her leg.I remain convinced Enid Blyton secretly wanted to be a food critic, as food was as much a character as anyone. The FF were only defending themselves hoping of course that the Stick family would get tired of so much opposition, pack their things and leave. Anne had opened a tin of salmon, two tins of peaches, a tin of milk, cut some bread and butter, and made a big jug of cocoa. And the children get to witness the final denouement via the incredibly flexible device of "Access to Kirrin Island" which drives the plot of several books in the series.