This is Your Golden Ticket
Written: Sep 25 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything!
Cons: Don't read it when you're starved for chocolate ;)
The Bottom Line: The only way to mix chocolate properly is by waterfall.
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| ssjakira1's Full Review: Roald Dahl - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
”The one thing he longed for more than anything else was…CHOCOLATE.”
Charlie Bucket, a boy after my own heart.
*ahem* Roald Dahl has created numerous books full of fantastic imagination and oodles of fun. One of his masterpieces, if I may, is the twice-movie-made book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To be honest with you, this is my first time reading the book, so I was in for a treat (the pun might as well be intended).
Charlie Bucket and his family have little to eat, a small ramshackle house, and struggle to survive every year. Charlie only gets one candy bar a year, on his birthday. The rest of the time he finds himself only able to smell the delicious chocolaty scents from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, which happens to be within sight of his house. The factory has been shut up for years, but now it’s finally opening its doors to the five people that find golden tickets hidden with Wonka chocolate bars. The winning children are Augustus Gloop, full time eater; Veruca Salt, spoiled-rotten brat; Mike Teavee, television obsessed; Violet Beauregarde, constant gum chewer; and Charlie, who never thought he’d find a ticket, much less see the wonders waiting inside the magical world of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory!
Of course, I’m smart enough to read this book when my tummy is rumbling and I happen to be thinking, “A big bar of chocolate would go good right about now.” So here I am, enjoying thoughts of edible, minty grass, everlasting gobstoppers, lickable wallpaper, toffees, caramel apples, fudge mountains, luminous lollies, and rock-candy mines and all the while sticking myself into the story so I can start tasting things. And oh, how I would love invisible chocolate bars and chocolate television…
Ah, getting back on topic, this is always a great book for kids. I think it really is one of those fun classics that won’t ever go out of style. The bad kids get their just desserts and good little Charlie, who had so little in the beginning, comes out on top in the end. What child doesn’t like the idea of a fantastic candy factory like this one? If you haven’t ever read it yourself, or haven’t read it to your child, I suggest it all the way. It’s a lot of fun. Dahl’s writing style, quirky characters, Oompa-Loompa songs, and wondrous imagination is something any child can enjoy. It’s uplifting and silly while containing a few hidden messages through the nasty kids and their parents (i.e. don’t sit on your butt and watch TV all day or be a total brat). Actually, the messages aren’t really all that hidden. The Oompa-Loompas makes that pretty clear.
The book I bought contains the illustrations by Quentin Blake, which are somewhere between skilled and scribbled. Haha. It’s an interesting an cute mix. You can easily see how Charlie is the cutest of the bunch, given a more “normal” look than the other kids, which tend to be cringe-worthy and their parents that are just plain hideous. I liked his take on the Oompa-Loompas too. Interesting and cute. Getting a book with the illustrations can be an added bonus when reading to your child because they add a bit of extra merriment to the story.
For those wondering, there is a difference between the book and the first movie (I’m going to completely ignore the second movie here). Wonka is a bit more carefree and possibly drunk on sugar in the book, Charlie never does anything wrong (no lifting of fizzy lifting drinks), and a score of other little things (Oompa-Loompas aren’t orange and green). However, overall it sticks pretty close and each is very enjoyable in its own way. If you or your child enjoyed the movie, then all the more reason to check out the original source. If you haven’t yet seen the movie, then it could be a fun way of seeing Wonka’s factory in action and Dahl’s words brought to life on the big screen.
No matter what, this book is a winner and if I had kids, it is one I would definitely read to them!
NT
*This review has been a part of the Fight Illiteracy Write-Off - that means I am sending this very book to a child in need via the Mississippi Humanities Council. Take a moment to check it out and consider joining (hey, I’m constantly broke, but if I can break open my piggy bank to spend $15 on four books, there’s no reason you can’t buy one little book!) Reading is fundamental! :D
Recommended:
Yes
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ssjakira1
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Member: Nicole Taft
Location: Blue Springs, MO
Reviews written: 746
Trusted by: 190 members
About Me:
Yes, I'm on a fantasy kick. Get over it. XD
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