If you enjoyed the movie, this is pretty much that!
★★★★☆ – CALSPIE: 8.36
Title: Wonka
Author: Sibéal Pounder, based on the screenplay by Simon Farnaby & Paul King
Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy
Keywords: Movie adaptation / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / Roald Dahl
First Published: 2023
Edition: Paperback, published in 2023 by Puffin Books
An intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humour – WONKA introduces readers to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time . . . proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.
***
If you are familiar with the movie and you enjoyed that, you will enjoy this book. Based on the screenplay for the movie, this is a lovely heart warming middle grade book that captures the movie’s spirit. It also kind of captures a bit of the spirit of Roald Dahl, even if it is quite a bit too sweet compared to his work.
Most of it follows the movie exactly, apart from a few small instances that work either way. Pounder did a fantastic job turning the screenplay in a fun readable novel. I maybe wish it had expanded on a few things here and there, but it works.
I read this with my daughter, who loved the movie and she really enjoyed this book as well, even if it read a little young for her. This is just a fun book to spend a bit of time with and to lighten the mood.
Highly recommended for pre-teens especially, but anyone can enjoy this really.
4.25 out of 5 stars
***
CALSPIE: 8.36
- Characters: 8.5
- Ambience: 8.5
- Language: 8
- Story: 8.5
- Pacing: 8.5
- Interest: 8
- Enjoyment: 8.5
Lola Et La Vie 