Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton is an extraordinary author who will always be close to my heart. From The Famous Five to The Magic Faraway Tree, Blyton’s enchanting stories encourage every child to explore the capability of their imagination. As a child, developing an open and explorative mind is valuable and Blyton’s stories allow young children to continually challenge the boundaries of their mind. This is the reason why Enid Blyton is a true icon in not only the world of children’s literature but literature in general too. Blyton’s books are what you read as a child but continue to consider and appreciate in your teenage and even adult years. It is rare to come across an author who has this impact on the reader but Blyton seems to manage it effortlessly.
Although the majority of Blyton’s classic stories, including Malory Towers and The Secret Island, were published in the 1940s, it is impossible for a child of the modern day not to create a place in their heart for the memorable fantasy characters she created. Despite the language in the books being dated, the narratives will live on forever, through every generation of children and passed on by every generation of adults. As a child, Enid Blyton influenced my passion for reading massively and encouraged me to pursue the challenge of writing my own children’s stories throughout my teenage years. Reading and writing are major interests that will always be key elements in my life and hopefully future careers. Without Blyton’s stories accompanying me on my journey through childhood I doubt my enthusiasm towards the art of writing would be as strong as it is now. I will forever be thankful for being introduced to Enid Blyton as a child which is why she is my favourite author.
Words by Maisie Green