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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Sweetly personal, a rather beautiful family comedy, introduced Walliams as children's writer to the world
His most understated and natural-feeling, Walliams began his literary career (as writer for children) with one of my favourites. No silly visual jokes or lists, no talking to the audience, no overdone villains.
This is simply a story about a boy who is looking for a little colour and light in his life, after his mum has left. And he finds it in an unusual place, discovering his own self and strength along the way.
I've read this before, as an adult. This time, I listened to the author read this in the car, with my six year old. He took it quite seriously - we talked about clothes, and expressing yourself, about wearing what you like, about difference and tolerance. Quite deep topics for an Infant pupil.
It's really quite wonderfully written, Walliams isn't trying too hard, it feels like a personal story for him, and the family pain in the tale is evident and quite moving.
My son loved the football scenes but he was also listening very hard to the scenes at home, those in school. He was outraged at the treatment of Dennis, impressed with Dennis's best friend, and of course, loves Raj!
Would work well alongside Anne Fine's 'Bill's New Frock' in school topics during PSHE. Would also be a great class read with short chapters and a chatty tone.
Not as overtly funny as Walliams' later efforts, but one of his most poignant and better written efforts.
His most understated and natural-feeling, Walliams began his literary career (as writer for children) with one of my favourites. No silly visual jokes or lists, no talking to the audience, no overdone villains.
This is simply a story about a boy who is looking for a little colour and light in his life, after his mum has left. And he finds it in an unusual place, discovering his own self and strength along the way.
I've read this before, as an adult. This time, I listened to the author read this in the car, with my six year old. He took it quite seriously - we talked about clothes, and expressing yourself, about wearing what you like, about difference and tolerance. Quite deep topics for an Infant pupil.
It's really quite wonderfully written, Walliams isn't trying too hard, it feels like a personal story for him, and the family pain in the tale is evident and quite moving.
My son loved the football scenes but he was also listening very hard to the scenes at home, those in school. He was outraged at the treatment of Dennis, impressed with Dennis's best friend, and of course, loves Raj!
Would work well alongside Anne Fine's 'Bill's New Frock' in school topics during PSHE. Would also be a great class read with short chapters and a chatty tone.
Not as overtly funny as Walliams' later efforts, but one of his most poignant and better written efforts.
liamw95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review
4.0
(Read this book in Dutch, just in case of names that were changed.)
I must say I honestly finally found a book that I loved from this author. You can clearly see this is a first book, it misses the annoying exaggeration, weird word use and other things. In fact it was quite a normal book, and I really enjoyed it.
I just wish he would have kept this style of writing instead of what he does now.
Lol at the no-cursing in a children's book part. I am sorry, not allowed? I see it happen so often and I would rather have someone curse then see this %$**@%% at times.
I really liked the ending part where everyone dressed up in dresses. And that added image, I was just laughing so hard.
And while the dad was mostly a prick throughout the book (though I could see he did his best to care for his kids (he just didn't know how to it seemed)), something happened near the end I started to love the dad.
And we also have a bad guy, namely Mr. Hawtrey. Gosh I really disliked that guy. I don't see in why he would work at a school, he clearly hates kids a whole lot.
All in all I would recommend this book, this was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
Oh and still a big plus to the wonderful illustrations. I really like those. Quentin Blake is wonderful!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I must say I honestly finally found a book that I loved from this author. You can clearly see this is a first book, it misses the annoying exaggeration, weird word use and other things. In fact it was quite a normal book, and I really enjoyed it.
I just wish he would have kept this style of writing instead of what he does now.
Lol at the no-cursing in a children's book part. I am sorry, not allowed? I see it happen so often and I would rather have someone curse then see this %$**@%% at times.
I really liked the ending part where everyone dressed up in dresses. And that added image, I was just laughing so hard.
And while the dad was mostly a prick throughout the book (though I could see he did his best to care for his kids (he just didn't know how to it seemed)), something happened near the end I started to love the dad.
And we also have a bad guy, namely Mr. Hawtrey. Gosh I really disliked that guy. I don't see in why he would work at a school, he clearly hates kids a whole lot.
All in all I would recommend this book, this was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
Oh and still a big plus to the wonderful illustrations. I really like those. Quentin Blake is wonderful!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
scoutfinch75's review against another edition
3.0
Read this to my daughter .She said,
"Dennis is fantastic. I wish I could have a friend as brave as he is. We should all be ourselves more and not worry about what other people think. We are all different and that's what makes us special"
"Dennis is fantastic. I wish I could have a friend as brave as he is. We should all be ourselves more and not worry about what other people think. We are all different and that's what makes us special"
blastoise's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lwylde14's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
gaiolella's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
readsbyl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
librarianoliviarae's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0