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pupupuddlecat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
Very silly, good fun, just a dash of Mr Pratchett as he was still finding himself!
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, I know this is a children's book, but it's been a very long day I needed something full of joy today, and this is, without a doubt, full of joy.
gingirl7001's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
dweber92's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Pratchett purists may be disappointed in this book - it's not original and new material, it's written for children, it's actually much shorter than it looks - but actually, I found it to be an insight into a young Terry's mind and writing.
Why? Because it's his early jottings and stories, from his own teenage years. How amazing is it to see a famous writer, writing as a 16-year-old, with their quirks and flaws intact? Before editors and style are in place?
I'm not the worlds biggest Pratchett fan but I have read a few of his more mature children's work and I really enjoyed this short glimpse into his early world. His early influences are also in evidence (I've included a few I recognised below).
This is a collection of 14 short stories, as follows:
- Dragons at Crumbling Castle: silly quest story that reminded me of Monty Python in parts
- The Great Speck: like Dr Seuss's Horton Hears a Who, worlds on dust mites show Pratchett's scope for making the small into something bigger. Also reminded me of James and the Giant Peach.
- Hunt the Snorry: some funny word play
- Two Carpet People stories: the most Pratchett-like, precursors to his later children's book
- Hercules the Tortoise: like a myth or fable, Hercules explores his tortoise-sized world and takes on a snake! Bits of The Hobbit and Kipling in here.
- Dok the Caveman: caveman inventor genius creates language, wheels etc but is unappreciated.
- The Big Race: a little bit Genevieve, a little bit Wacky Races, which form of car will be the best and the one to be produced en masse?
- The Great Egg-Dancing Championship: star-crossed lovers and a tale of dancing on eggs
- Edwo the Boring Knight: funny fairy story with a talking donkey
- The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time: self-explanatory, zany little tale
- Abominable Snowman: quite similar to the Dragon story
- The Blackbury Monster: very funny tale about a small town needing PR and creating their own Loch Ness Monster
- Father Christmas goes to work at the Zoo: his wife wants him to find a job, but does he have the right skills?
A great collection to read to a child and for adults to discover how a writer starts off. The quality and humour varies from story to story.
Quentin Blake's illustrations are good as ever but that and the text size/don't make it feel like a Dahl / Walliams book.
I think it would make a fantastic introduction to Pratchett for children who aren't yet eat for his longer stories.
Why? Because it's his early jottings and stories, from his own teenage years. How amazing is it to see a famous writer, writing as a 16-year-old, with their quirks and flaws intact? Before editors and style are in place?
I'm not the worlds biggest Pratchett fan but I have read a few of his more mature children's work and I really enjoyed this short glimpse into his early world. His early influences are also in evidence (I've included a few I recognised below).
This is a collection of 14 short stories, as follows:
- Dragons at Crumbling Castle: silly quest story that reminded me of Monty Python in parts
- The Great Speck: like Dr Seuss's Horton Hears a Who, worlds on dust mites show Pratchett's scope for making the small into something bigger. Also reminded me of James and the Giant Peach.
- Hunt the Snorry: some funny word play
- Two Carpet People stories: the most Pratchett-like, precursors to his later children's book
- Hercules the Tortoise: like a myth or fable, Hercules explores his tortoise-sized world and takes on a snake! Bits of The Hobbit and Kipling in here.
- Dok the Caveman: caveman inventor genius creates language, wheels etc but is unappreciated.
- The Big Race: a little bit Genevieve, a little bit Wacky Races, which form of car will be the best and the one to be produced en masse?
- The Great Egg-Dancing Championship: star-crossed lovers and a tale of dancing on eggs
- Edwo the Boring Knight: funny fairy story with a talking donkey
- The 59A Bus Goes Back in Time: self-explanatory, zany little tale
- Abominable Snowman: quite similar to the Dragon story
- The Blackbury Monster: very funny tale about a small town needing PR and creating their own Loch Ness Monster
- Father Christmas goes to work at the Zoo: his wife wants him to find a job, but does he have the right skills?
A great collection to read to a child and for adults to discover how a writer starts off. The quality and humour varies from story to story.
Quentin Blake's illustrations are good as ever but that and the text size/don't make it feel like a Dahl / Walliams book.
I think it would make a fantastic introduction to Pratchett for children who aren't yet eat for his longer stories.
tgurl23's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This book of short stories for Terry Pratchett's early career are wonderful and I see hints of the Discworld in them. I especially liked Father Christmas Gets a Job.
beautifuldissonance's review against another edition
2.0
I really had to force myself to continue reading this book. I'd say it was written for quite a young audience, maybe 7 to 10 year olds.
ellie_the_bookdragon's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5