Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory

August 15, 2014
An effusive celebration of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on its 50th anniversary. This chatty volume opens by describing Dahl's years of work on the novel, which were interrupted by personal tragedies, then gives a lengthy account of film and stage versions. No fact is too small to include, such as Fred Astaire's secret desire, revealed after casting, to be Willie Wonka. Mangan, a British journalist, tends toward the coy, labeling the first film's reviews as "less than scrumdiddlyumptious." The most engaging chapter explores visuals that illustrators and designers created of the story. After a survey of the novel's influence on popular culture, the narrative meanders off into a history of chocolate. It wraps up with a fervid defense of Dahl against his critics, mainly librarians and other reviewers who just didn't " 'get' Roald" in contrast to children-referred to as a single entity-who "love his books to bits." A tone of adulation prevails with the assumption that it's shared by the intended audience, presumably of British adults who will understand the many cultural references. A broader audience, however, may enjoy leafing through the extensive illustrations from different editions of the book as well as photographs of actors, performances and products. Mainly for die-hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans who want more than the novel itself. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 14 & up)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up- In time for the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl's classic, this work takes an in-depth look at the origins of the iconic tale of Charlie and his golden ticket. In an almost-scholarly tone, each chapter covers a distinct topic, such as the British author's inspiration for the beloved title, the book's impact on popular culture, and comparisons among and the reception of the various film and stage adaptations. Part biography, part history, Managan's work explores Dahl's tragic family history and relationships with the editors and illustrators that helped him bring his iconic story to life. Especially interesting is the discussion of the initial critical reactions (even mostly harsh ones from the librarian community), because of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's irreverent humor and hard honest look at the flaws of the human character. Kids might be turned off by the nostalgic sensibility of the text and the sometimes over-the-top (and corny) jokes, but this title will especially strike a chord with fans of Dahl's work, students of classic children's literature, and those interested in the early days of modern publishing. The thorough back matter, including archival, full-color photos; extensive bibliography and further reading lists; delightful illustrations and reproductions; and quotations from those intimately connected with the various iterations, make this a stand-out title for creative writing, English, popular culture, film, and kid lit courses. Especially useful for making comparisons across media, this book ensures that Dahl's legacy will endure as long as an everlasting gobstopper.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

kaaaaaaii - I decided reading this book because i grew up watching the movies and reading the books. That is not the actual book cover for the book i read, but the book i read , the book is mainly about a man who owns a chocolate factory. He had students have a tour around his whole factory. Charlie, the man who owns the factory, has little midget elf's help him make chocolate, everywhere the students will go, there will be one. I think that this book is funny to read, and very interesting and also keeps me away my phone. I can read this book many times I want, and don't get bored.

September 1, 2014
Grades 8-12 Almost everyone is familiar with Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), whether through print (it's been translated into 55 languages) or performance: there are two movies, an opera, a play, and a musical all based on Dahl's classic. This engaging tribute addresses Willy Wonka's enduring popularity, providing historical context, behind-the-scenes details, controversies, and additional quirky facts that will delight enthusiastsjust in time for the book's fiftieth anniversary of publication. Chapters packed with archival photos and illustrations cover the book's writing and publication and subsequent stage and screen adaptations, the work's lasting impact on popular culture, responses from critics and fans, and even a brief history of chocolate. Throughout, the information is presented in a breezy, entertaining style, ranging from lightweight (e.g., Charlie parodies in The Simpsons) to more weighty matters (Marxist and Freudian interpretations). Dahl's granddaughter contributes a foreword, and archival photos, sketches, and original manuscript notes are included. This thoughtful critique of an enduring classic combines elements of biography, the creative process, literary and film analyses, and social commentary, and it should appeal to a wide audience of fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)