7+: Three Tales of Magic and Mischief - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 27/09/12

Book Blurb: 
A marvellous mix - this wonderful hardback bind-up contains George's "Marvellous Medicine", "Matilda", and "The Witches" - a perfect gift for any child to get swept up in the magic of "Roald Dahl"...

Review: 
To be honest with you I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this novel, but knowing how much fun I’ve had with Pittacus Lore I was hoping for something to fill the gap whilst I waited for the next in the series. What I got was a book that whilst the story was interesting failed to grip me due to the characters. They felt a little flat for me, not rounded and whilst individually they each have their own abilities, as a group I’m not sure how well they’re going to gel in the overall quest.

That aside, the pace is reasonable, the prose solid and all round its readable but for me, if I don’t get on with the characters its always a struggle to carry on. A great shame but here’s hoping that it improves with the next outing.

   

7+: The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Take a giraffe with a magic neck, a pelican with a retractable beak and a very agile monkey, and what do you have? The world's finest Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, of course! Add in their friend Billy, the Duke and Duchess of Hampshire and the Cobra, the cleverest and most dangerous cat-burglar in the world, and you have all the ingredients for a deliciously funny tale - all in the pursuit of walnuts, salmon and the pink and purple flowers of the tinkle-tinkle tree, not to mention the Grand Opening of The Grubber...


REVIEW:

A Dahl title I hadn’t eard of prior to it’s landing, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What does occur however is a tale about friendship, about fortune and how good deeds are not only their own reward.

The story is fascinating, the combo of the friends not only quirky but a stupendous mix and I don’t thin anyone but Dahl could have combined it them to the level of success that is achieved within.

Overall a great offering and when the artwork of Quentin Blake is added, one that will be enjoyed a number of times. Definitely worth the hardback price although, personally, I think that some of the shorter offerings should have been combined in a twofer type of value for money title.

7+: Danny Champion of the World - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Danny lives with his dad in an old gipsy caravan behind a filling-station. Danny's dad is the best - a wonderful mechanic, a brilliant storyteller and a genius at kites. But, as we all learn as we get older, grown-ups can be complicated creatures, and so it is that one day, when he is nine years old, Danny discovers that his dad has a deep, dark secret. It is a secret that is just about to lead them on a dangerous and thrilling adventure...


REVIEW:

This was perhaps my first Roald Dahl read so is one that will always have a place in my heart with fond memories attached. Whilst it’s not my favourite, that first title that brings you to a new author who will become a childhood friend for a number of years will always have a special place and be one that you can recall what you were doing the first time you read it.

This offering, which unfortunately is now pretty dated, is beautifully written with characters that could just step off the page and appear to the readers imagination. Back that up with a great villain, a bold daring plan and an overall arc that is not only impressive but a standard for others to follow and you’ve got another tale that is worth the price of hardback.

7+: Georges Marvellous Medicine - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

George's grandma is a grizzly, grumpy, selfish woman with pale brown teeth and a small puckered-up mouth like a dog's bottom. Four times a day she takes a large spoonful of thick brown medicine, but it doesn't seem to do her any good. She's always just as horrid after she's taken it as she was before. So when George is left alone to look after her one morning, it's just the chance he needs...


REVIEW:

I originally read this title a few years ago and enjoyed this book as George, the tales hero, invented a marvellous concoction that did all sorts of magical things.

As usual with Dahl, the tale is beautifully written, the characters something that children can identify with and backed with a sprinkle of the Dahl magic you get a story that will satisfy the young reader. All in a great story and when backed with a hardback finish one that will stand the test of multiple rereads which will most assuredly happen.

7+: The Witches - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

The Grand High Witch of all the World has gathered together the witches of England for an annual conference at the Hotel Magnificent in Bournemouth. Their agenda is the elimination of all the children in the country and the prospects for their young victims look bleak. But the Grand High Witch and her cronies have reckoned without the spark and ingenuity of a young guest at the hotel and his rather brilliant grandmother...


REVIEW:

Perhaps one of Dahl’s most recognisable books especially as the film stars Anjelica Huston. Beautifully written, Dahl blends magic, folklore and a tale (or tail later in this offering) to entertain the reader for a great many tellings. Ideal material for the young reader or one that can be read together to help encourage the young readers love of books.

I had an absolute blast reacquainting myself with this Dahl offering as well as imagining the fun my nephews will have when it is their turn. Pure Dahl Magic.

7+: The BFG - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

When Sophie is snatched from her bed in the middle of the night by a giant four times as tall as the tallest human, she thinks she is about to be breakfast. But luckily for Sophie, her giant is the only nice and jumbly giant in Giant Country, and the pair are soon thinking of ways to disappear the BFG's nasty neighbours...


REVIEW:

This I have to say is my absolute favourite Dahl title. Beautifully written with the usual Dahl ingredients as he (the Big Friendly Giant that is) and Sophie save the world’s children from the evil giants and bring the world of dreams to the reader in a new an virtually unseen manner.

Add to the mix Blake’s artwork, the great film accompaniment and the chance for Readers to escape this mundane world for the budgetless one of imagination which demonstrates why Dahl will continue to be a favourite for years to come.

A real joy and with the pure fun of a childhood revisited one that I’ll re-enjoy a number of times with my nephews.

7+: Esio Trot - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Mr Hoppy, a retired bachelor, harbours a secret passion for his neighbour, the lovely Mrs Silver. Unfortunately, she lavishes all her affection on another...Alfie, her pet tortoise. Mr Hoppy's wildly ingenious plot to defeat his rival and win the love of his lady will delight and amaze, involving as it does a cryptic riddle and no fewer than a hundred and forty tortoises, large and small.


REVIEW:

Another re-release in hardback from the perennial children’s favourite, where, in this offering, love conquers all. It’s beautifully creative, has some magical moments and with the indomitable artwork by Quentin Blake, you know that it’s definitely a title to treasure.

My only complaint with this book is that it seems a bit short weighing in at a low 60 pages for the price. Whilst Dahl fans will still love this book and want to add it to their collection I do feel a little cheated at its low number and felt that it might have made a nice addition to another tale by the author as a bonus book so to speak which would have felt fairer. Still a great addition to any child’s library and one that will definitely entertain.

7+: The Twits - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Mr and Mrs Twit are extremely nasty, so the Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird hatch an ingenious plan to give them just the ghastly surprise they deserve.


REVIEW:

This is another of my childhood favourites and one that clearly demonstrates that perhaps no other author has ever had such an insight into children’s minds as that of Roald Dahl. We all may not be the pretty ones or the smartest, but we all have something special about us and we shouldn’t judge others is the message within this title.

It’s a cracking story and one that has remained with many readers since their childhood and will remain with the next generation even longer. A real treat and one that will demand a reread time and again. Definitely something special and one that we really can’t recommend enough.

7+: Matilda - Roald Dahl

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinary child with thoroughly ordinary and rather unpleasant parents, who are contemptuous of their daughter's prodigious talents. But underestimating Matilda proves to be a huge mistake, as they, along with her vile headmistress Miss Trunchbull, are soon to discover...


REVIEW:

OK, so this title by a firm children’s favourite was a bit after my time but I have memories of my younger sister getting a lot of pleasure from this book. Due to this (and also having seen the film) I had high hope for this, my first reading of this Roald Dahl title and with the bonus of it being reprinted in Hardback it seems the publishers think that you’ll get a lot out of it as well. So what did I get for my time?

What occurs within is a story that is brought together with the usual Dahl magic. You get wonderful story telling that seems almost effortless, you get great characters, devilishly evil villains and the message that brains, courage and justice prevail.

Add to the mix a great story, some truly memorable magic and a feisty heroine and you know that it’s got all the ingredients for a magical reading experience that demonstrates that even 20 years after his death, why Dahl is a master to set standards by.