Tag: book

The Magic Finger

Sections: Information | Description | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Dutch, French, Greek, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Slovakian, Spanish, and Vietnamese Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Harper & Row, 1966, USA.
      • Illustrated by: William Pene du Bois
      • To identify: The first state book has pictorial boards matching the rear picture of the dust jacket and a copyright page that was identical for a number of printings (later printings finally used green boards with darker quarter spine). The only way to identify a first print is if it has its original jacket with the original pricing of $2.50 (if a trade edition – and clipped at the bottom front flap) or $2.57 (if a HarperCrest Library edition – and clipped at the top front flap).
    • Allen & Unwin, 1968, UK.
      • Illustrated by: William Pene du Bois
      • To identify: Normal practice single statement (‘First published in Great Britain in’ followed by the date, no later dates or printing statements) and published without a price or a dust jacket. The pictorial boards are the same as the U.S. edition (i.e. matching the picture on the rear panel of the U.S. edition’s dust jacket.
  • Later editions:
    • Puffin, 1974, USA and UK.
      • Illustrated by: Pat Marriott
      • To identify: Used standard practice (‘First published’ followed by the date and a number line underneath) with 3 statements with the last being: ‘published by Puffin Books 1974’. Priced at 20p and $0.65.
    • Puffin, 1989.
      • Illustrated by: Tony Ross
      • To identify: Standard statement form with previous editions listed prior to the last being with new illustrations and copyright Tony Ross, 1989 under Dahl copyright of 1966. (See Richard’s site for more info.)
    • Unwin/Hyman, 1989, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Tony Ross
      • To identify: Used a number line and was published with a jacket
    • Viking, 1995.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and came with either of two jackets and with or without the Viking logo on the spine.

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

To the Gregg family, hunting is just plain fun. To the girl who lives next door, it’s just plain horrible. She tries to be polite. She tries to talk them out of it, but the Greggs only laugh at her. Then one day the Greggs go too far, and the little girl turns her Magic Finger on them. When she’s very, very angry, the little girl’s Magic Finger takes over. She really can’t control it, and now it’s turned the Greggs into birds! Before they know it, the Greggs are living in a nest, and that’s just the beginning of their problems…

Fun Stuff

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Вълшебният пръст

Dutch Covers – De tovervinger

French Covers – Le Doigt Magique

Greek Covers – ΤΟ ΜΑΓΙΚΟ ΔΑΧΤΥΛΟ

Korean Covers

Norwegian Covers – Den Magiske Fingeren

Russian Covers – Волшебный палец

Slovakian Covers – Zázračný prst

Spanish Covers – El Dedo Mágico

Vietnamese Covers – Ngón tay thần kỳ

James and the Giant Peach

Sections: Information | Description | Reviews | Awards | Criticism and Analysis | Fun Stuff  | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Welsh Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Knopf, 1961, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Nancy Ekholm Burkert
      • To identify: Five-line colophon found on the last printed page that includes the statements: Bound by H. Wolff Co. (later printings were bound by the Book Press) and underneath this: Paper supplied by P.H. Glatfelter, Spring Grove Pennsylvania. The boards are a deep red/maroon and the head is stained a peach/yellow color. The dust jacket is priced at $3.95 and does not have any SBN numbers on the right bottom of the rear panel. Note: there are more intricacies here which can be found on Richard’s site…
    • Allen & Unwin, 1967, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Michel Simeon
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First published in Great Britain in’ followed by the date, no later dates or printing statements) and was published without pricing and no dust jacket.
  • Later editions:
    • Unwin/Hyman, 1990, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Emma Chichester Clark
      • To identify: After original publishing listing and twelfth print, a standard © statement for Clark illustrations 1990 was used. Published with a dust jacket priced at £8.95.
    • Viking, 1995, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and was published with a jacket that was either not priced and without a Viking logo on the spine or a jacket with the logo on the spine and priced at £9.99.
    • Knopf, 1996, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Lane Smith
      • To identify: Used number line and published with a jacket priced at $16.00
    • Knopf, 2002, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and published with a jacket but without a price.
  • Censorship:
    • Challenged at the Deep Creek Elementary School in Charlotte Harbor, Fla. (1991) because it is “not appropriate reading material for young children.”
    • Challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wis. (1991) and at the Morton Elementary School library in Brooksville, Fla. (1992) because the book contains the word “ass” and “promotes” the use of drugs (tobacco, snuff) and whiskey.
    • Removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Va. Schools (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains crude language and encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults.
    • From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.
  • Recent news: 

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

A little magic can take you a long way.

After James Henry Trotter’s parents are tragically eaten by a rhinoceros, he goes to live with his two horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. Life there is no fun, until James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree and strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it’s as big as a house. Inside, James meets a bunch of oversized friends—Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, and more. With a snip of the stem, the peach starts rolling away, and the great adventure begins!

Reviews

Awards

  • Massachusetts Children’s Award (USA 1982)

Criticism and Analysis

Fun Stuff

James and the Giant Peach Quiz

Merchandise

Sotheby’s Dahl Auction

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Afrikaans Covers – James en die reuseperske

Bulgarian Covers – Джеймс и гигантската праскова

Catalan Covers – James i el préssec gegant

Chinese Covers

Czech Covers – Jakub a obří broskev

Danish Covers – James og den store fersken

Dutch Covers – Beesten aan boord; De reuzenperzik

Estonian Covers – James ja hiigelvirsik

French Covers – James et la grosse pêche

German Covers – James und der Riesenpfirsich

Greek Covers – Ο ΤΖΙΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΓΙΓΑΝΤΟΡΟΔΑΚΙΝΟ

Korean Covers – 제임스와 슈퍼 복숭아 양장본

Lithuanian Covers – Džeimsas ir milžiniškas persikas

Norwegian Covers – Verdens Største Fersken

Polish Covers – James i ogromna brzoskwinia

Russian Covers – Джеймс и чудо-персик

Serbian Covers – Džejms i džinovska breskva

Slovakian Covers – Jakub a obrovská broskyňa

Spanish Covers – James y el melocotón gigante

Turkish Covers – Dev Şeftali

Vietnamese Covers – James Và Quả Đào Khổng Lồ

Welsh Covers – James A’r Eirinen Wlanog Enfawr

The Gremlins

Sections: Information | Description | Controversy | Fun Stuff | Covers | Advertisements | Comic Books

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • Full title: Walt Disney: The Gremlins – A Royal Air Force Story by Flight Lieutenant Roald Dahl
  • Illustrated by: Disney Studios (aka Bill Justice, not credited)
  • First editions:
    • Random House, 1943, USA.
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First edition’ under the copyright information) and published with a jacket priced at $1.00
    • Collins, 1944?, UK.
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (copyright statement with date below, no later dates or printing statements indicated) and published without a price or jacket.
    • Ayres & James Sidney, 1994?, Australia.
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement and published with a price of 4/6
  • Previewed in:
  • Excerpted in:
  • Mentioned in:
  • 2006 reprint includes:
    • Introduction by Leonard Maltin, “The Gremlins Got ‘Em: How Walt Disney and Roald Dahl didn’t get to make a movie together”

Description

The Gremlins was Dahl’s very first book for children. The story was originally intended for production as an animated film by Walt Disney, but the film was dropped before it was completed. Disney did, however, still publish the book that had been created as a tie-in with the movie’s release. Only around 50,000 copies were printed worldwide, therefore copies of it are extremely rare.

In 2006, Dark Horse Comics were able to secure the rights to The Gremlins from Disney to reprint the book. They also released a line of figurines and a sequel series of comic books. You can read more information about the revival here.

Controversy

During pre-production for the film, Disney was contacted by another RAF pilot, Douglas Bisgood, who claimed that Dahl had taken most of the Gremlin terminology from him without his permission. The two had met during Dahl’s journey to the US and had swapped stories of Gremlins onboard the ship. Bisgood claimed that “The names of Fifinella, Widget and Flippertygibbet are my own private property.” (Bisgood’s mother had gone by the nickname Fifinella within her family.) Rather than monetary compensation, Bisgood was keen to be credited in the film. Dahl and Disney tried to placate him by pointing out that all proceeds were being donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund, and in the end the film was never made anyway so Bisgood let the matter drop.

You can learn more about this issue and read some of the correspondence involved over at Mouseplanet.

Fun Stuff

Merchandise

  • Elsewhere on the web:
    • Blog post with lots of research from Wade Sampson at Mouseplanet 
    • Theory that Dahl was working as a British Secret Service spy when he wrote the story 
    • Falling Hare (watch online) and Russian Rhapsody (watch online), two Warner Bros. cartoons featuring the Gremlins. (Disney asked them not to use “gremlins” in the titles.) 
  • Videos:

Covers

Advertisements

The Gremlins characters were extremely popular and featured in this 1943 advertisement for Life Savers candy:

GREMLIN CHASERS. You’ve heard of the Gremlins… pesky little troublemakers that hang around air fields… army camps… ports of call… and battle stations. One good antidote for Gremlins is LIFE SAVERS… they cheer a fellow up when the Gremlins get him down. Maybe that’s why our armed forces are ordering so many of them… so … if you have trouble getting some favorite flavor… blame it on the Gremlins.

Comic Books

The Walt Disney Company published several sequels in comic book form. These page are from a 1987 reprint by Gladstone Publishing Ltd. (Thank you to Marvin Winitz for tracking these down for me!)

In 2008, Dark Horse released a three-issue comic book series written by publisher Mike Richardson that took place in the modern world rather than World War II. (Issue 1|Issue 2|Issue 3) These were collected into a hardcover volume in 2015. You can read more these comic books here.

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Sections: Information | Description | Awards | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Chinese, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Slovakian, Spanish, and Vietnamese Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Jonathan Cape, 1985, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and priced at £5.95 although not published with a dust jacket.
    • Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1985, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First Edition’ with date’ or ‘First American Edition’ with date, no later dates or printing statements) and priced at $11.95 although not published with a dust jacket.

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

Who needs a ladder when you’ve got a giraffe with an extended neck?

The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn’t. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.

Awards

  • Kurt Maschler award runner–up (1985)

Fun Stuff

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me Quiz
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me Quiz

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Жирафът, пеликанът и аз

Chinese Covers

Dutch Covers – De Giraffe, de Peli en Ik

Estonian Covers – Kaelkirjak, pelku ja mina

French Covers – La girafe, le pélican et moi

German Covers – Die Giraffe, der Peli und ich

Greek Covers – Ο ΠΕΛΗΣ, Η ΠΑΡΔΑΛΗ ΚΙ ΕΓΩ

Japanese Covers

Korean Covers – 창문닦이 삼총사

Norwegian Covers – Sjiraffen og Pelli og jeg

Russian Covers – Жирафа, и Пелли, и я

Slovakian Covers – Žirafa, Pelly a ja

Spanish Covers – La jirafa, el pelicano y el mono

Vietnamese Covers – Hươu cao cổ, chim bồ nông và tôi

George’s Marvelous Medicine

Sections: Information | Description | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Scots, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Welsh Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1981, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and published with a jacket priced at £3.95.
    • Alfred Knopf, 1982, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and published with a jacket priced at $7.95.
  • Also known as: George’s Marvellous Medicine (alternative spelling in UK)
  • Recent news: 

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

George is alone in the house with Grandma. The most horrid, grizzly old grunion of a grandma ever. She needs something stronger than her usual medicine to cure her grouchiness. A special grandma medicine, a remedy for everything. And George knows just what to put into it. Grandma’s in for the surprise of her life—and so is George, when he sees the results of his mixture!

Fun Stuff

George’s Marvelous Medicine Quiz

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Невероятното лекарство на Джордж

Catalan Covers – La meravellosa medecina d’en Jordi

Czech Covers – Jirkova zázračná medicína

Dutch Covers – Joris en de geheimzinnige toverdrank

Estonian Covers – George’i Imeline Arstirohi

French Covers – La potion magique de Georges bouillon

German Covers – Das Wundermittel

Greek Covers – ΤΟ ΘΑΥΜΑΤΟΥΡΓΟ ΦΑΡΜΑΚΟ

Italian Covers – La magica medicina

Japanese Covers

Korean Covers – 조지, 마법의 약을 만들다

Lithuanian Covers – Stebuklingieji Džordžo vaistai

Norwegian Covers – Georgs magiske medisin

Polish Covers – Cudowne lekarstwo George’a

Russian Covers – Волшебное лекарство Джорджа

Scots Covers – Geordie’s Mingin Medicine

Slovakian Covers – Jurov zázračný liek

Slovenian Covers – Jurijevo čarobno zdravilo

Spanish Covers – La maravillosa medicina de Jorge

Vietnamese Covers – Thần dược của George

Welsh Covers – Moddion Rhyfeddol George

The Complete Adventures of Charlie and Mr Willy Wonka

Sections: Information | Description | Fun Stuff | Covers | Catalan Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Allen & Unwin, 1978, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Faith Jaques
      • To identify: Standard practice statement (‘First published in Great Britain in’ followed by the date, no later dates or printing statements) that finishes ‘one volume 1978’ with non-priced jacket (or with sticker priced at £4.95) – Note: this is a unique jacket and there are discrepancies between the first and second printing. Richard’s site has a note with more details about it…
    • Later editions:
      • Unwin/Hyman, 1987, UK.
        • Illustrated by: Michael Foreman
        • To identify: Standard practice statement beginning ‘This one volume…’ first published in 1987, with jacket priced at £9.95 – Note: again, some interesting notes on the dust jacket as seen on Richard’s site…
      • Knopf, 1994, USA.
        • Illustrated by: Joseph Schindelman
        • To identify: Published without jacket and not priced with a number line on the copyright page
      • Viking, 1995, UK.
        • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
        • To identify: Number line used with jacket priced at £12.99

Description

A dazzling volume containing two classic Roald Dahl novels!

Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka have been children’s favorites for generations. Now their two books are available in one stunning edition! In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the gates of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory are opening at last . . . and only five children will be allowed inside. And then in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Charlie and Willy Wonka are back in a fantastic journey to outer space.

Fun Stuff

Covers

Catalan Covers – Les grans aventures d’en Charlie i el senyor Willy Wonka

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Sections: Information | Description | Reviews | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Scots, Serbian, Slovakian, Spanish, and Vietnamese Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Alfred Knopf, 1970, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Donald Chaffin
      • To identify: Used a ‘First Edition’ statement and published in a jacket priced at $3.95.
    • Allen & Unwin, 1970, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Donald Chaffin
      • To identify: Used their standard single statement (‘First published in Great Britain in’ followed by the date). Published without a jacket and not priced.
  • Later editions:
    • Puffin, 1974, USA and UK.
      • Illustrated by: Jill Bennett
      • To identify: Published only in soft cover using a single statement and priced at 20p and $0.65.
    • Unwin/Hyman, 1978, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Tony Ross
      • To identify: Lists this publisher, then the first publication and date with Allen and Unwin, then ninth impression. Under that is a copyright date for Dahl and under that ‘illustrations © Tony Ross, 1988 – published with jacket priced at £6.95.
    • Viking, 1996, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line in a jacket that is not priced and lacks a Viking logo on the spine. (See note on Richard’s site…)
    • Knopf, 2002, Canada.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and a jacket priced at $15.95 and $23.95 (for the Canadian market)
  • Connections:
  • Recent news: 

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

Someone’s been stealing from the three meanest farmers around, and they know the identity of the thief—it’s Fantastic Mr. Fox! Working alone they could never catch him; but now fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded. What they don’t know is that they’re not dealing with just any fox—Mr. Fox would rather die than surrender. Only the most fantastic plan can save him now.

Reviews

  • “Little Private Lives” by Margot Hentoff (The New York Review of Books)
  • “Picture books for the younger set” by Maurice Dunlevy from the August 14, 1971 The Canberra Times – Canberra, Australia (read online)

Fun Stuff

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Afrikaans Covers – Fantastiese Meneer Vos

Bulgarian Covers – Фантастичният господин Фокс

Catalan Covers – El fantàstic senyor Guillot

Czech Covers – Fantastický pan Lišák

Dutch Covers – De Fantastische Meneer Vos

Estonian Covers – Vapustav härra Rebane

French Covers – Fantastique Maître Renard

German Covers – Der fantastische Mr. Fox

Greek Covers – Ο ΑΠΙΘΑΝΟΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΦΟΞ

Japanese Covers – Subarashiki Tosan Kitsune

Korean Covers

Lithuanian Covers – Nuostabusis ponas Lapinas

Norwegian Covers – Den Fantastike Mikkel Rev

Polish Covers – Fantastyczny pan Lis

Russian Covers – Изумительный мистер Лис

Scots Covers – The Sleekit Mr Tod

Serbian Covers – Fantastični gospodin Lisac

Slovakian Covers – Fantastický pán Lišiak

Spanish Covers – El Superzorro

Vietnamese Covers – Bác Fox tuyệt vời

Esio Trot

Sections: Information | Description | Awards | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Welsh Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Jonathan Cape, 1990, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a standard single statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and published with a jacket priced at £6.95.
    • Viking, 1990, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and published with a jacket priced at $14.95.

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

An ancient spell, 140 tortoises, and a little bit of magic…

Mr. Hoppy is in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Silver; but she is in love with someone else—Alfie, her pet tortoise. With all her attention focused on Alfie, Mrs. Silver doesn’t even know Mr. Hoppy is alive. And Mr. Hoppy is too shy to even ask Mrs. Silver over for tea. Then one day Mr. Hoppy comes up with a brilliant idea to get Mrs. Silver’s attention. If Mr. Hoppy’s plan works, Mrs. Silver will certainly fall in love with him. After all, everyone knows the way to a woman’s heart is through her tortoise.

Awards

  • Smarties Award (1990)

Fun Stuff

Esio Trot Quiz

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Костенурке, костенурке

Catalan Covers – Agu Trot

Chinese Covers

Dutch Covers – Ieorg Idur

French Covers – Un amour de tortue

German Covers – Ottos Geheimnis

Greek Covers – ΑΝΩ ΛΕΧ

Korean Covers – 아북거, 아북거

Norwegian Covers – Eddap Liks

Russian Covers – Ахап Ереч

Slovakian Covers – Akčan Tyrok

Spanish Covers – Agu Trot

Swedish Covers – Naddap Dlöks

Turkish Covers – Kaplumbaga

Vietnamese Covers – Chú rùa Alfie

Welsh Covers – Nab Wrc

The Enormous Crocodile

Sections: Information | Description | Reviews | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Chinese, Dutch, Estonian, French, Greek, Norwegian, Russian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, and Welsh Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Knopf, 1978, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used a number line and a jacket priced at $4.95
    • Jonathan Cape, 1978, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Used standard statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and published without a jacket and not priced (it is possible to find a sticker on the back panel marked: J.CAPE/£2.95 net/(line)/In U.K. Only)

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

The Enormous Crocodile is a horrid greedy grumptious brute who loves to guzzle up little boys and girls. But the other animals have had enough of his cunning tricks, so they scheme to get the better of this foul fiend, once and for all!

Reviews

  • “Paradoxes” by Mary Kenny from the December 16, 1978 issue of The Spectator (UK) (read online)
  • “A Dastardly Crocodile” by Belle Alderman from the July 14, 1979 issue of The Canberra Times – Canberra, Australia (read online)

Fun Stuff

The Enormous Crocodile Quiz

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Огромният крокодил

Chinese Covers

Dutch Covers – De Reuzenkrokodil

Estonian Covers – Koletu Krokodill

French Covers – L’énorme crocodile

Greek Covers – Ο ΠΕΛΩΡΙΟΣ ΚΡΟΚΟΔΕΙΛΟΣ

Norwegian Covers – Den Kjempestore Krokodillen

Russian Covers – Огромный Крокодил

Slovakian Covers – Obrovský krokodíl

Slovenian Covers – Gromozanski krokodil

Spanish Covers – ¡Qué asco de bichos! El cocodrilo enorme

Welsh Covers – Y Crocodeil Anferthol

Danny the Champion of the World

Sections: Information | Description | Reviews | Awards | Fun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Penguin Readers, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, French, Frisian, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Welsh Covers

Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Knopf, 1975, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Jill Bennett
      • To identify: Used a numberline with jacket priced at $5.95
    • Jonathan Cape, 1975, UK.
      • To identify: Used single statement as per normal practice (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) with a jacket priced at £2.25
      • Illustrated by: Jill Bennett
  • Later editions:
    • Jonathan Cape, 1994, UK.
      • To identify: Used a number line and a jacket pricing of £8.99
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
    • Knopf, 2002, USA.
      • To identify: Used a number line in a non-priced jacket
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
  • Connections:

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.

Description

Can Danny and his father outsmart the villainous Mr. Hazell?

Danny has a life any boy would love—his home is a gypsy caravan, he’s the youngest master car mechanic around, and his best friend is his dad, who never runs out of wonderful stories to tell. But one night Danny discovers a shocking secret that his father has kept hidden for years. Soon Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible plot ever attempted against nasty Victor Hazell, a wealthy landowner with a bad attitude. Can they pull it off? If so, Danny will truly be the champion of the world.

Reviews

  • “The middle ground” by Isabel Quigly from the December 6, 1975 issue of The Spectator (UK) (read online)

Awards

  • Surrey School award (UK 1978)
  • California Young Reader Medal (USA 1979)

Fun Stuff

Danny the Champion of the World Quiz
Danny the Champion of the World Word Find
Danny the Champion of the World Word Find

Merchandise

Teacher Ideas

Covers

Penguin Readers Covers

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Simplified story texts are combined with beautiful original illustrations for students aged 7 and above.

Bulgarian Covers – Дани – шампион на света

Catalan Covers – Danny, el campió del món

Czech Covers – Danny, mistr světa

Dutch Covers – Daantje, de wereldkampioen

Estonian Covers – Danny, maailma parim

French Covers – Danny, Champion du Monde

Frisian Covers – Lytse Daan, de Wrâldkampioen

Galician Covers – Danny, o campión do mundo

German Covers – Danny oder Die Fasanenjagd

Greek Covers – ΝΤΑΝΙ, Ο ΠΡΩΤΑΘΛΗΤΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ

Hebrew Covers

Korean Covers – 우리의 챔피언 대니

Lithuanian Covers – Denis pasaulio čempionas

Norwegian Covers – Danny og den store fasanjakten

Polish Covers – Danny, mistrz świata

Portuguese Covers – Danny, o Campeão do Mundo

Russian Covers – Дэнни – чемпион мира

Serbian Covers – Deni, prvak sveta

Slovakian Covers – Danny – majster sveta

Spanish Covers – Danny el campeón del mundo

Vietnamese Covers – Nhà Vô Địch Thế Giới

Welsh Covers – Danny Pencampwr Y Byd