Publishers Weekly
An abbreviated version of Dahl’s classic story takes to the pop-up stage, accompanied by Blake’s scraggly pen-and-ink caricatures. Gatefolds, mini-booklets, and pop-ups reveal the major plot points of the story (“Two Golden Tickets Found Today!” shouts a headline on a foldout newspaper), with a towering glass elevator on the final spread. Smart use of interactive elements—many of which focus on the grim fates of Charlie’s fellow ticketholders—makes Wonka’s already magical world feel even more so. Ages 7–up. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Rich in humor, acutely observant, Dahl lets his imagination rip in fairyland." —The New York Times
School Library Journal - Audio
10/01/2013
Gr 3–6—Who doesn't know Dahl's story of poverty-stricken little Charlie Bucket who finds one of Willie Wonka's golden tickets and, along with four other children, gets a tour of his amazing chocolate factory? Each of the other children demonstrates a common childhood failing, to extreme—gluttony, greediness, excessive gum-chewing, and TV addiction. As, one by one, they fall prey to the factory's enticements, soon only Charlie is left and he gets the ultimate prize. What's not to love in a story that circles around niceness and chocolate? Listeners will find themselves once again rooting for Charlie as Douglas Hodge performs the book with vim, vigor, tons of expression, and the occasional sound effect. This is a joyous leap into a childhood classic that both children and adults will enjoy.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA
