Once again, just like The Witches, I think the beginning of the story is beautiful and creative and fun - and as the story comes to a close it seems like Roald Dahl was just rushing ideas to just wrap it up. The ending happens so suddenly and is so bizarre...but then again, that's Roald Dahl!
I was happy the book club kids picked this book because Storybook Theatre is doing the play this month. I am very curious to see how they do the story!
I did enjoy how Roald Dahl made the bugs realistic. The earthworm was blind and was so proud of how all dirt came from him. The ladybug was a worry wart. The old-green-grasshopper is so proud of the music he can play, and quite taken back that anyone would think it odd to have ears on your legs.
I was a little surprised that Roald Dahl uses the word 'ass' as much as he does in this book. Really? Not really necessary!
I could get picky about all sorts of stuff in this book. I don't think it's really warranted though. After all, kids love this book! They love all Roald Dahl books.
Here is the summary from GoodReads:
Roald Dahl's children's classic will be rediscovered with wonder and delight in this handsome gift edition with all-new black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Honor Book artist Lane Smith (who also designed the characters for the Disney animated film). How James escapes from his miserable life with two nasty aunts and becomes a hero to his new insect family, including Miss Spider, the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the Centipede (with his 21 pairs of gorgeous boots), is Dahl-icious fantasy at its best"This newly-illustrated edition of an avowed children's favorite has all the makings of a classic match-up: Milne had Shepard, Carroll had Tenniel, and now Dahl has Smith...author and illustrator were made for each other, and it's of little consequence that it took almost 35 years for them to meet" --Kirkus.
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