302. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

 

BOOK REVIEW: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Due to my profession, I was given a chance to relive one of childhood classics by Roald Dahl. Considered to be one of the most influential children's writer of all time, his stories weave the unimaginable with the mundane to give two shades of contrast to make the reader be awed. This book is no exception. 

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is open at last! But only 5 lucky children will be allowed inside. The winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, the story's hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life.

These 5 children are to meet Mr. Willy Wonka for a tour of his chocolate factory. Run by pint-sized Oompa Loompas, the decadently erected factory churns the sweetest delights but will the children be able to enjoy the wholesome experience or be kicked out before the tour is over? 

This book intrinsically instills values of honesty, moderation, respect, truthfulness and bravery. It also teaches kids the consequences of greed, rudeness, disrespect and dishonesty. The story was fun with rhyming funny songs throughout that gets child (and adult) readers to jump on the bandwagon.

The only downside was the constant mouthwatering issue due to vivid descriptions of candy and chocolate throughout. Tiny tummies will be rumbling in no time. So make sure you have a few nibbles by your side to satiate that hunger! Happy reading!

301. Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

 

BOOK REVIEW: Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Alright, so all of you might be asking why am I reading a children's book? As a reading teacher in an international school, I need to know the content beforehand to teach my kids. With that in mind, I dived into this book only to come off with a healthy respect for the term humanity and environmental responsibility. No wonder this book was chosen to be taught.

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book and did feel emotional at certain parts of it. Despite it being a children's book, adults who read this will definitely have a wider viewpoint on the world and respect old age as a time to reflect and enjoy the peaceful moments in life.

Michael disappeared on the night before his 12th birthday. Washed up on a desert island, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food, no water and only his dog Stella Artois for company, he curls up to die. 

When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He soon comes to realize that he is not alone. An old man named Kensuke is shipwrecked on the very same island. An odd friendship develops between a Japanese man and a British boy which will set the scene for an education on humanity, parental love, environmental protection and honesty in friendship.

From the author of War Horse comes this remarkable tale of survival against all odds, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific and recalling memories of the Second World War. 

I hope my kids in school enjoy this book as much as I did. Books like these are the omes children should read as they grow. Even government schools should start a class specially for reading to encourage the love for books and literature which is truly beneficial to the younger generation.