The Original is Always Better.

I'm surprisingly old-fashioned and big on tradition. The recent trend of remaking classic movies is driving me bananas, quite frankly. I'm disappointed in Hollywood's lack of creativity! I grew up with the Gene Wilder version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Needless to say, I only needed to watch a few minutes of the newer Johnny Depp version to know that it just wouldn't do. Too dark, too creepy, too WIERD. My kids, age 6 and 4, felt the same and vastly prefer Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.  They love the movie, period, with or without the comparison to the newer one. I was pretty psyched when I had the opportunity to get a copy of the book, because...guess what? I've never read it! I wasn't into Roald Dahl much as a kid and as an adult, I was busy reading other books. Alice, who just turned six, was excited to read it with me. She is just getting into chapter books and while she can read some chapter books independently (Henry and Mudge books are a popular series in our house right now), she likes being read to. It's been exciting to move beyond picture books to novels that require her to listen and create imagery in her own mind. As an English teacher, this is the part of parenting I have long looked forward to--sharing novels with my kids and nurturing a love of reading independently.

And though From Left to Write members don't write book reviews, I am making an exception for this one and turning this post over to Alice, who says the book is better than the movie and  wrote:

"I recommend this book because it's the best chapter book ever. My favorite part is when they go in the Chocolate Room. All Mr. Willy Wonka's dreams were in that room. I like the fact that you can everything in that room! I like that the trees are made of lollipops and the grass is minty sugar.
Anyone that likes candy and likes to read should read this book."
Alice, Age 6

This post was inspired by the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Penguin Young Readers Group, in partnership with Dylan’s Candy Bar, the world-famous candy emporium, and First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides books for children from low-income families, is launching a year-long international celebration.

Head over to From Left to Write to learn how you and your child can have a chance to win the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes where the grand prize is a magical trip to New York City plus much more! For every entry submitted, Penguin Young Readers Group will make a donation to First Book. Then, join From Left to Write on July 24 as we discuss Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As a book club member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes. 

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