Scan barcode
kindle_and_crossstitch's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
davidcottington's review against another edition
5.0
Next time someone asks about my relationship with my father, I will simply tell them this story, as if my own... 'David the Champion if the World'!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Firm favourite for me, and now my son. Wonderful characters and father-son relationship.
A few years ago, my son (then aged 4-5) and I worked our way through Roald Dahl. Mostly the audiobooks, but some at bedtimes. We missed out Danny, I didn't think he'd concentrate on it as he could on the others, the story was a little more dense, the relationship more central to the plot. I realised recently we'd missed out Danny (he's now 9!), and we've listened to this in the car over a couple of weeks.
My son was taken in from the start, with the caravan, the filling station and Danny as a young mechanic. I loved hearing again about his fantastic father, his stories (cue the first appearance of the BFG) and twinkly eyes. Listening along was a pleasure. The narrator (known for his voiceovers on CBeebies) made an amiable and engaging reader.
It's a different world, the world of Danny and his Dad. The green space of decades ago, village life, corporal punishment in schools, poaching. Quite an education for a 21st century child.
But Danny still feels relatable - his is a one-parent family, he has troubles at school, he adores his Dad. And the story of the child attempting to overcome the more powerful adult (here the ghastly Mr Hazell) is one that never goes out of fashion.
Definitely not quite as suitable for the younger audience as Mr Twit, Mr Fox and Charlie. But it's as much a part of Dahl canon as any of his other slightly-better-known works (and with a superb film made of it as well).
Inventive and resourceful children will learn a lot from Danny. Just watch out when they offer your raisins.
For ages 7-10 in particular.
A few years ago, my son (then aged 4-5) and I worked our way through Roald Dahl. Mostly the audiobooks, but some at bedtimes. We missed out Danny, I didn't think he'd concentrate on it as he could on the others, the story was a little more dense, the relationship more central to the plot. I realised recently we'd missed out Danny (he's now 9!), and we've listened to this in the car over a couple of weeks.
My son was taken in from the start, with the caravan, the filling station and Danny as a young mechanic. I loved hearing again about his fantastic father, his stories (cue the first appearance of the BFG) and twinkly eyes. Listening along was a pleasure. The narrator (known for his voiceovers on CBeebies) made an amiable and engaging reader.
It's a different world, the world of Danny and his Dad. The green space of decades ago, village life, corporal punishment in schools, poaching. Quite an education for a 21st century child.
But Danny still feels relatable - his is a one-parent family, he has troubles at school, he adores his Dad. And the story of the child attempting to overcome the more powerful adult (here the ghastly Mr Hazell) is one that never goes out of fashion.
Definitely not quite as suitable for the younger audience as Mr Twit, Mr Fox and Charlie. But it's as much a part of Dahl canon as any of his other slightly-better-known works (and with a superb film made of it as well).
Inventive and resourceful children will learn a lot from Danny. Just watch out when they offer your raisins.
For ages 7-10 in particular.
banusha's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
snippie99's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely little story about family with the added adventure of trying to poach pheasants from the rich. Good to read with children.
amalipulan's review against another edition
4.0
From the synopsis, I thought that this book was about a father sent to jail and his son Danny tagged along. I also half-died thinking that this book is about a father and a son committing a jailbreak.
It turns out, I was wrong but I am not at all disappointed. Truth be told, I think the original thing is better.
Danny's dad is the kind of father children would wish for. When I read the first pages, I was all like:
"Aw... he's such a loving man."
And I immediately fell in love with him. That is, until I headed towards the climax, I found out that William (Danny's dad) is a somewhat eccentric man completely obsessed with an illegal hobby; poaching.
Danny, who loves his father to the moon and back, found out about his secret when he discovered his Dad was missing on one night.
Here is the part that made me squeaked:
"I reached out and slid my hand into his. He folded his long fingers round my fist and held it tight."
It turns out, I was wrong but I am not at all disappointed. Truth be told, I think the original thing is better.
Danny's dad is the kind of father children would wish for. When I read the first pages, I was all like:
"Aw... he's such a loving man."
And I immediately fell in love with him. That is, until I headed towards the climax, I found out that William (Danny's dad) is a somewhat eccentric man completely obsessed with an illegal hobby; poaching.
Danny, who loves his father to the moon and back, found out about his secret when he discovered his Dad was missing on one night.
Here is the part that made me squeaked:
"I reached out and slid my hand into his. He folded his long fingers round my fist and held it tight."
megan_ablettxx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
torasvgj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
labunnywtf's review
5.0
I still get a little shiver through me from this book. So much more "adult" than his other children books, yet still enjoyable for children, and so beautiful.
1/1/09 - Despite the date I am putting this as, I finished this while lying in bed at 11:57. So it counts as the final book read in '08. That makes me really happy.
Even better than I remembered. And I didn't remember it all, because it had been so long. What an amazing book. Another one that I believe should be required reading for young adults. So lovely.
1/1/09 - Despite the date I am putting this as, I finished this while lying in bed at 11:57. So it counts as the final book read in '08. That makes me really happy.
Even better than I remembered. And I didn't remember it all, because it had been so long. What an amazing book. Another one that I believe should be required reading for young adults. So lovely.