A Brilliant Retelling: Read Our Review of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five Graphic Novels by Béja and Nataël

The Famous Five is a world-famous adventure book series. Now, it’s retold for the first time as a graphic novel, 80 years after its first publication, ready to be read by a whole new generation.

Five on a Treasure Island is the first book in the new graphic novel series. It tells the story of Julian, Dick and Anne’s first visit to Kirrin to meet their cousin George – never call her Georgina! – and her loyal dog Timmy. Exploring together, they discover the location of an ancient family treasure marked on a hidden map. They must work quickly to find it as they’re not the only ones searching for it…

In book #2, Five Go Adventuring Again, it’s the holidays, and after bad school reports, Julian, Dick, Anne and George are stuck indoors with a tutor. But nothing can stop the intrepid young cousins from exploring. The discovery of a secret passage might help them escape their lessons – but could it lead them into more trouble? Join the adventure!

Dive into The Famous Five adventures with all the fun, danger and excitement of the original books. It’s brilliantly retold, designed and illustrated by a talented father-and-son team of graphic novel experts. This superb new edition will capture the imagination of readers of any age.

I’ve always thought The Famous Five books were ahead of their time. Reading it as a child, parts of the story felt progressive – especially the character of George. And now, 80 years later, elements of the book seem timely and relevant. This just proves how timeless this story really is and the ongoing legacy that Enid Blyton has left behind.

I think the graphic novel format is also a fun way to retell the story for fans both old and new. These graphic novels have a fast-paced format that’s perfect for reluctant readers aged 9+. Father-son duo Béja and Nataël are clear experts in their graphic novel field, and I can see both young boys and girls discussing the different panels, dialogue and which character they resonate with most. There’s also a lot of scope for comparison between this edition and the original books – teachers and librarians, I’m looking at you!

Whether you’re a long-time fan or first-time reader of The Famous Five, you have to get your hands on this graphic novel edition. Both Five on a Treasure Island and Five Go Adventuring Again are out now, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to get both so you’re not left hanging between books #1 and #2. Ideal for anyone who loves Tintin, Asterix or Dogman.

Buy book #1, Five on a Treasure Island, here.

Buy book #2, Five Go Adventuring Again, here.