The Famous Five Graphic Novels: Five On a Treasure Island & Five Go Adventuring Again; Béja & Nataēl

Eighty years after they were first introduced to us, The Famous Five are back and are ready to capture an entirely new generation of readers thanks to the talents of father and son graphic novel creators, Béja and Nataēl. The first two titles in the series, ‘Five On a Treasure Island’ and ‘Five Go Adventuring Again’, will be released simultaneously in February.

In book one, Dick, Julian and Anne are looking forward to spending their summer holiday with their cousin George - don’t ever call her Georgina - on Kirrin. George however couldn’t think of anything worse than having to spend time with the cousins she has only met once and would much rather hangout with her loyal canine companion, Timmy.

It isn’t long before the four children and Timmy have become firm friends and adventure soon beckons. Whilst exploring they uncover the whereabouts of some lost family treasure marked on an ancient map and are determined to find it. But they are not the only ones hunting treasure and some people will go to any lengths to get their hands on it…

In book two, the excitement of heading to Kirrin for the holidays is quickly dampened when the children find themselves having to do extra studying under the watchful eyes of tutor, Mr. Roland. But studying is the last thing on the children’s minds and after discovering a hidden passageway and a coded message the children have their own project to work on. A project that suggests that their tutor may be up to no good, and when Uncle Quentin’s secret documents go missing the children are in a race against time to prove who Mr. Roland really is…

I grew up on Famous Five stories and was very excited to rejoin the gang and relive their adventures through graphic novels. I have so much love for these new books, it is my whole childhood wonderfully reimagined. Retaining everything that made Enid Blyton’s stories so enjoyable - adventure, fun, excitement, friendship and plenty of danger - Béja and Nataēl’s shortened, fast-paced versions of the original stories help bring Blyton’s classic tales into the twenty-first century and will hold great appeal to long-time fans of the Famous Five and new readers alike.

Adventuring with the gang is so much fun and it is impossible not to get caught up in their exploits as they sail across choppy seas, explore Kirrin Island, discover secret messages, come up with plans and try to outwit thieves, I was with the gang every step of the way. The fast-paced action is guaranteed to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they live every moment with Dick, Julian, Anne, George and Timmy.

Blyton’s stories are a throwback to those days before iPads, iPhones and social media when kids would spend all their time outside - exploring and adventuring - and what a good time it is. These graphic novels are everything I wanted them to be, they are beautifully illustrated and the stories are lovingly retold with the kind of action and adventure that children want. I really hope this is just the start of things to come and many more titles appear soon.

With huge thanks to Hachette and Hodder Children’s Books for the copies I received in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 7+.