Helpful Score: 3
Along with his other classic, "James and the Giant Peach", Roald Dalh's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" stands at the top of the heap when it comes to children's books. This is a pure classic of imagination, storytelling and magic. Far superior to the film (where Willy Wonka becomes the title character), the book tells the story from Charlie Bucket's point of view. Charlie, who lives with his four ancient grandparents and his mother in a one-room house, is the kind of child who can only dream about his future, since his family has barely enough money to survive. When the Wonka chocolatier announces that five golden tickets to visit the aged factory have been carefully tucked inside chocolate bars the world over, Charlie's dreams are suddenly wide open. He stumbles on some money in the street, purchases a chocolate bar and is thrust into the limelight beccoming one of the five lucky vistors. The rest of the tale is one of scrumptous folly and nerve-wracking sentiment, highlighted by magical workers (the one and only Oompa Loompas), the etheral Willy Wonka, a host of loony characters - both adults and kids - and a thrill ride in a factory where time stands still and also rocks forwards, backwards, sideways and then some! It's a classic tale of the triumph of good over evil, generosity over greed and family over fair-weathered friends. Sure to be enjoyed by children of all ages, adults included, this is the best children's book ever written - and deserves prominent place in every child's library.
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful classic that's fun to read at any age.
Helpful Score: 2
Charlie Bucket's wonderful adventure begins when he finds one of Mr. Willy Wonka's precious Golden Tickets and wins a whole day inside the mysterious chocolate factory. Little does he know the surprises that are in store for him!
Book has illustrations and pictures from the 2005 movie starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.
Book has illustrations and pictures from the 2005 movie starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.
Helpful Score: 2
Great classic...i read it when i was little.
Helpful Score: 1
The classic story of a poor, little boy and his adventure into the candy factory of his dreams and it's somewhat insane owner.
I started reading this as a child but only got about 3/4 through. I don't know why I never finished it. Anyway, this book was a hoot. It's both sad and funny and full of life lessons. It's the perfect read for a child or an adult.
It's always good to read the book before you see a movie, and this book is as enjoyable as the movie is. I prefer the book usually and this case is no exception. It's a great book to get kids started into reading if things like Harry Potter don't interest them.
I have to confess. I am a senior who loves some of the children's books. I giggled out loud. I wished I had been reading it to a child so we could have laughed together. It is classic Roald Dahl, who is always great. Come on adults get in on the kids fun!
Dahl is a wonderful children/young adult author who has a great imagination. But you probably don't want to know what he was like in real life.
I just finished "The Irregulars," a book about Dahl's time in Washington, D.C. during World War II. Even the author of that book called him an "arrogant bastard." Then there were all his affairs with married women, some even married to his friends. However, I'm glad I read that book, as clues to his name appeared in several crossword puzzles I've recently done.
The best part of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was the long song about children, books and TV, sung by the Oompa-Loompas.
I just finished "The Irregulars," a book about Dahl's time in Washington, D.C. during World War II. Even the author of that book called him an "arrogant bastard." Then there were all his affairs with married women, some even married to his friends. However, I'm glad I read that book, as clues to his name appeared in several crossword puzzles I've recently done.
The best part of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was the long song about children, books and TV, sung by the Oompa-Loompas.
For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public--well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights--even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, another unforgettable masterpiece from the legendary Roald Dahl, never fails to delight, thrill, and utterly captivate. (Ages 9 to 12) --This text
My nine-year-old says it was better than the movie!
What a great book. I read this with my 8 year old daughter and I'm not sure which one of us enjoyed it more. So glad that I have her to give me an excuse to read classic childrens books that I missed out on when I was a kid.
Dahl, in my opinion, is one of the 20th century's greatest children's authors. This is one of his stories that should not be missed.
If you seen, and liked, the movie, you NEED to read the book. It's a bit different than both the movies. Very entertaining read. My kids loved hearing this book in 4th grade. I enjoyed reading it with them just as much.
My daughter loved this book. I told her she had to read it before we saw the movie, and she finished it faster than she had finished any other book.
Great-made me appreciate the remake far more than the originl movie with Gene Wilder.....MUCH closer to the book...
Everyone likes this book.
I have always loved Roald Dahl's books
This book is great it even has color pictures for the kids...
It was wonderful to have an idea of what the movies are based on. It's amazing how different the book is from the movies. A must read for any true fan of either movie.
Delightfully funny illustrations throughout the book in black and white.
Great classic book.
very good book its like the movie!
Magical adventure story, a must read for children.
This book delighted my five year old, and myself as well. We loved each moment of Charlie's adventure, and the details are perfect for vocabulary building, but not too dramatic to confuse my young son.
We are off to read more Roald Dahl, our favorite new-old author. Sometimes classics are the best!!!
We are off to read more Roald Dahl, our favorite new-old author. Sometimes classics are the best!!!
This was a little too creepy for my kids (4 and 6yrs old), so I opted not to. But it was still a fun re-read for me :)
This is the original book that the new remake with Johnny Depp is based on. Different than the original movie. Good read! Great for kids.
A wonderful romp through a world filled with Roald Dahl's quirky characters. Charlie succeeds because he's a nice, decent kid and the other children are brats. Unlike the real world, in Dahl's worlds, nice wins!
It's been nearly 20 years since I first read this book, but I still found it to be very enjoyable!
Charlie and the Chocolate is mysterious and adventurous and it has a lot of good comedy with funny punchlines.
was an awsome book when I was younger
This book is about a boy named Charlie who gets a lucky candy bar like 4 other children that get to go to a factory. I could tell it is great because it has 2 movie based on it (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1971 and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2005).
From the back cover: "The gates of Mr. Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory are opening at last--and only five children will be allowed inside. And the winners are:
-Augustus Gloop-a fat pig who would eat anything that came within reach or bite
-Veruca Salt-a spoiled brat with parents trained to jump at her every scream
-Violet Beauregarde-a gum chewing gabber with the fastest jaws and the slowerst wits around
-Mike Teavee-a fiend for television
and
-Charlie Bucket-Our Hero, who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!"
-Augustus Gloop-a fat pig who would eat anything that came within reach or bite
-Veruca Salt-a spoiled brat with parents trained to jump at her every scream
-Violet Beauregarde-a gum chewing gabber with the fastest jaws and the slowerst wits around
-Mike Teavee-a fiend for television
and
-Charlie Bucket-Our Hero, who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!"
this is a great classic of all times . willie wonka chocolate factory.
Better than the movie!
A classic kids story. This version includes a section of photos from the Johnny Depp movie.
This is a classic that should be a part of any great library
fantastic
Great book that I bought at a yard sale. Great condition--has sticker inside from Country Inn Suites book program.
5 stars from my 12 year old
Sonlight
This was one of the worst books I ever read. Could never find a real reason behind writing the book.
