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jklbookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Truly charming. I've always enjoyed the movie, and decided it was about time to read the book.
sweeneysays's review against another edition
3.0
The 1968 movie is my top answer to that “movie you think you’ve seen more than anybody you know” meme. And I honestly did not know until very very recently that it was adapted from a book so I put a hold on it and now here we are. This was supremely charming and I will likely read the other books at some point, but since I am reading it for the first time as an adult with no children, I am confident it won’t supplant the movie (and its vastly different plot) as a staple bit of comfort media.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
2.0
The Pott family rescues Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the scrapyard. Father Pott, an eccentric inventor, spends days fixing the old race car. Finally he finishes and the family decides to go on an outing. The outing becomes an unlikely adventure as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes on a life of her own, sprouting winds, and a bottom to float in the ocean. Whimsical with whispers of my favorite Roald Dahl, who I kept comparing this book too. I think Dahl would have made it a better story :)
Would make a nice read aloud.
Would make a nice read aloud.
kidclamp's review against another edition
4.0
I had never read this before and I haven't ever read anything by Fleming and I found this surprisingly fun. I thought Fleming's little asides to explain vocabulary and other things amusing without ever feeling too pedantic. The story and art were both great and I would recommend this book for kids.
smitchy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun little story that has not aged too badly given it was originally in 1964. It is a bit daggy and bit silly and I'm sure kids 5+ will love it as a bedtime story - although I think you might have to have a talk about how you maybe shouldn't blow up the belongings of dangerous criminals?
But the "bad guys" in this story are about as competent as the baddies in Enid Blyton adventures so everything works out well for the Potts family and their truly amazing car Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.
This story was written by Fleming for his son while he was in hospital recovering from a heart attack and it really nice to see the female characters treated with respect (I was a bit worried as I have read a couple of old James Bond stories)
But the "bad guys" in this story are about as competent as the baddies in Enid Blyton adventures so everything works out well for the Potts family and their truly amazing car Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.
This story was written by Fleming for his son while he was in hospital recovering from a heart attack and it really nice to see the female characters treated with respect (I was a bit worried as I have read a couple of old James Bond stories)
readsewknit's review against another edition
4.0
I am quite familiar with the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie, but I've never read the book. My older daughter enjoys drawing while listening to audiobooks, and since she's exhausted nearly every book in the Boxcar Children series that our library has, I'm looking to other options. Then I learned this version was read by David Tennant (my favorite Doctor), so it became my go-to listening choice while cleaning.
If I once knew this book was also written by the creator of James Bond, I had forgotten. The book, like the movie, is a fun adventure story with a magical car. There is a series of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang books, but as I haven't read them, I don't know if some of the movie plotlines are borrowed from later books. All in all, a pleasant read, and it may make its way into my daughter's hands soon.
If I once knew this book was also written by the creator of James Bond, I had forgotten. The book, like the movie, is a fun adventure story with a magical car. There is a series of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang books, but as I haven't read them, I don't know if some of the movie plotlines are borrowed from later books. All in all, a pleasant read, and it may make its way into my daughter's hands soon.
abergland7's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super adorable book. Perfect for a read aloud with kids. I listened to the autobook version and David Tennant did a fabulous job. He really brought the book alive.
queencleo's review against another edition
3.0
Silly and fun; James Bond for children, only Bond is a car. Quite different from the movie with a slightly ridiculous ending
erinmp's review against another edition
4.0
I'd seen the movie loads of times growing up, but had never actually read the book until now. Exciting writing, great children's book. It's a shame that Fleming was only able to write one book for children.