No One Returns From the Enchanted Forest
on Goodreads (851)
What’s inside...
Bix and Pella are goblin sisters with very different dispositions. Bix is a worrywart who is most content when she's home knitting. Her little sister, Pella, is an impetuous thrill-seeker who is always getting in trouble. When Pella's thirst for adventure leads her into the enchanted forest - a strange and dangerous place that no goblin has ever safely returned from - Bix is forced to leave her comfort zone to save her. Along the way she encounters a friendly tree troll, powerful elemental demigods, and countless hungry monsters looking for a goblin to snack on. In the end, Bix learns even a worrywart can become a hero. They say no one returns from the Enchanted Forest—but that won’t discourage Pella. Earthquakes are destroying her village, and worst of all, they’ve caused the Midsummer Festival to be canceled. According to legend, the Earth Queen is to blame for these violent quakes—and the Earth Queen’s tower lies at the heart of the Enchanted Forest. Late one night, Pella sneaks away to find the Earth Queen and give her a piece of her mind. But she’s not afraid—she’s never afraid. It’s Bix, Pella’s sister, who does the worrying for both of them. She’s the one, after all, who was tasked with keeping her sister safe after they lost their parents. But despite her fears and the very real dangers that lie ahead, Bix will do anything to protect her little sister—even walk into the Enchanted Forest with only a ball of yarn to guide them home. They say no one returns from the Enchanted Forest. Will Bix and Pella be the first?
Age
8-12
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Bix
Pella
Discussion points
What do you think the Enchanted Forest symbolizes in the story?
How do the characters' emotions change throughout their journey?
What would you have done if you were in the place of the main character?
Why do you think the author chose to call it the 'Enchanted Forest'?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different location?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they felt about the story, allowing them to express their initial emotional reactions.
Relate the themes or challenges in the book to your child’s personal experiences to forge stronger connections with the characters and plot.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or plot twists, which can help them engage more deeply with the narrative structure.
Discuss the moral or lesson of the book, asking your child what they learned and how they might apply the lesson in their own life.
Use descriptive scenes from the book as a starting point for a creative drawing session, merging creative expression with dialogue about the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'No One Returns From the Enchanted Forest' face various challenges and scary situations, yet they muster the courage to confront and overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children learn that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. This helps them face everyday challenges like trying new activities or standing up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout their journey in the enchanted forest, the characters rely on each other’s strengths and support, emphasizing the importance of friendship.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of building and maintaining relationships, and shows how cooperation and teamwork can help solve problems they encounter in school or play.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: The persistent efforts of the characters to find their way out of the enchanted forest despite numerous setbacks highlights the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn that persistence in facing school tasks, learning new skills, or in resolving conflicts with peers is crucial and can lead to achieving their goals.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: As the characters encounter various creatures and challenges, they learn to understand and respect differences, seeing them as strengths rather than obstacles.
Real-World Application: This helps children appreciate diversity in others around them, fostering a more inclusive attitude towards classmates and friends from different backgrounds or with different abilities.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story illustrates how the characters’ choices directly affect their journey, teaching the notion of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about the consequences of their actions on themselves and others, promoting responsible decision-making in everyday situations like sharing toys or following rules.