The brief states: it needs to be a "complex project that exploits the aesthetic possibilities of digital environments." and this book, as I remember it, has such a rich description and basis of environment as well as characters, which I think would make it a perfect choice for a children's adaption.
I would have to decide whether to focus on Environment or Character, however, not focusing on characters from this book would be a huge opportunity missed. Two characters from this book really stick out in my mind - Moonface, a smartly dressed character with a massive moon-like head and The Saucepan Man, who is obviously, a man covered in Saucepans. There is also the possibility of creating the main characters from the book, the children who find the tree.
I'm going to leave this as a possibility as well as looking at other book options.
Sam - I think you could pick up on your summer project for your transcription? Interested?
Ah, I hadn't considered that. It's definitely an option, with a few changes I think it would definitely be worth picking up again.
this is my happy face, Sam - I think you should absolutely go for it - you could essentially be in production from week 1, if we absolutely ensure the story is fine etc. It just means the whole level of refinement and ambition could go up a notch...
What a very interesting choice; I possessed a hard-back red-bound black-and-white version of the Faraway Tree in the fifties when I was a child. It had for me a very special atmosphere, exemplified by the white cloudy sky of the other land above the branches of the tree. I can't help but think that the colour version sweetened the story too much; for it was remarkably menacing for Enid Blyton, and has remained with me as slightly chilling.