Roald Dahl Gift Set [Box set] [Paperback]

Roald Dahl (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Four times the magic makes four times the fun! Now four of Roald Dahl’s most beloved, best-selling books are together in one box! Mr. Fox, Charlie and Willy Wonka, and even James and his peach are available in this beautifully packaged gift set. All of the books are charmingly illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Few modern writers have attracted such an appreciative audience among adults and children as Dahl. . . . All the tales are entrancing inventions. (Publishers Weekly)

A writer and an artist who are uncanny in their understanding of what children like to read and see. (The New York Times Book Review)

About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) is one of the most beloved storytellers of all time.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Gift edition (October 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142400947
• ISBN-13: 978-0142400944
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,297,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Llandaff, South Wales, and went to Repton School in England. His parents were Norwegian, so holidays were spent in Norway. As he explains in Boy, he turned down the idea of university in favor of a job that would take him to"a wonderful faraway place. In 1933 he joined the Shell Company, which sent him to Mombasa in East Africa. When World War II began in 1939 he became a fighter pilot and in 1942 was made assistant air attaché in Washington, where he started to write short stories. His first major success as a writer for children was in 1964. Thereafter his children's books brought him increasing popularity, and when he died children mourned the world over, particularly in Britain where he had lived for many years.The BFG is dedicated to the memory of Roald Dahls eldest daughter, Olivia, who died from measles when she was seven - the same age at which his sister had died (fron appendicitis) over forty years before. Quentin Blake, the first Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom, has illustrated most of Roald Dahl's children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GIFT SET THAT'S SURE TO DELIGHT, July 11, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roald Dahl Gift Set (Paperback)

Roald Dahl, who died in 1990, wrote some of the most delightfully imaginative children's stories to be found. He probably never dreamed that his stories would some day come to the big screen to delight another generation of youngsters and adults. His works are described as classics and rightly so. "James and the Giant Peach" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will undoubtedly bring smiles to the faces of our children, grandchildren, and perhaps great-grandchildren to come.

Now, Puffin Books has released a scrumdiddlyumptious boxed set that includes the two titles mentioned plus "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox." All are illustrated by the incomparable Quentin Blake.

Always a joy to read is the happy-ending story of James, an orphan, who is being raised by two very mean aunts. However, when James is given some magic crystals he's able to grow a tree that in turn grows a peach so large that the boy can crawl inside and roll away to a completely new life.

The seldom seen Willy Wonka, believe it or not, is going to let some people into his chocolate factory. Well, at least five people and Charlie is one of the lucky ones. He can't wait to see what's inside the doors of this house of sweet nor can readers as they devour the pages of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

One of Dahl's earlier works, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is fun to read aloud with its lilting rhyming text. As one might expect this is an agrarian tale with three rather odd farmers trying to do away with the foxy Mr. Fox.

Following on the heels of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," we again meet Charlie Bucket and the irascible Willy Wonka in "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator." Who would have thought their transport into the blue beyond would be a glass elevator? Only the comical, creative mind of Roald Dahl.

"Gift set" is an appropriate name for this quartet - what a welcome present!

- Gail Cooke

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant reading..., October 17, 2005

By 

Michael B. Williams "kitsune_firefox" (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roald Dahl Gift Set (Paperback)

I've read these stories for the first time this weekend, and what a pleasant time it was! Anyone should be able to enjoy these books, even adults. I myself am currently 27.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the kids (as well as a reminiscence), August 1, 2005

By 

Adam D. Gluck "gadget geek" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roald Dahl Gift Set (Paperback)

Loved these books when I was a kid and really glad to now share them with my kids. The boxed set is a bargin, although the paper backs would not stand up to a rough kid.