Comments on: Top 100 Children’s Novels #61: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

By: Sondy

Sondy — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:38:44 +0000

You’re so right, Melissa. That whole thing was wrong. If that had happened, Charlie should have lost. CHARLIE didn’t cheat!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:42:04 +0000

One of my most cherished birthday gifts ever was a Puffin boxed set of the first six Roald Dahl books. I read most of them till they fell apart at the seams (Charlie & the great glass elevator remains largely intact – I was a bit afraid of those vermicious knids). I dislike the first movie on many levels but the inclusion of the fizzy lifting drink really kills it for me. It changes the whole essence of Charlie’s character (Grandpa Joe’s too).

By: Sondy

Sondy — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:18:39 +0000

My 3rd grade teacher, Miss Kita, read this book to us. She also read us Charlotte’s Web. She was a brilliant and inspired woman.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:38:04 +0000

Mass could work. I’m personally fond of The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman as a good Charlie readalike.

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:27:41 +0000

The other good thing about the original movie was the Veruca Salt – I thought she was just about perfect. And her song (“I Want the World”) was the only one I liked better than Dahl’s lyrics.
The new movie is mostly argh-producing, but the Augustus Gloop song was done very well.

Best thing about Great Glass Elevator: the name for the aliens. Nothing could be more perfect than Vermicious K’nids. That should be a band name too.

For a kid wanting something else like Charlie, would you give them Wendy Mass’s The Candymakers? My kiddo really liked the combination of mystery and candy factory / invention.

By: Jana

Jana — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:05:21 +0000

I am surprised this one was not higher. It also surprises me that this is not most people’s favorite Dahl book (I think overall Matilda gets that honor). This is my FAVORITE all-time book!