We made a lot of trips to the library over the break and the big winner this holiday was the audio book. We love audio books at our house. It seems we spend quite a bit of time in the car and instead of it seeming never-ending my kids are asking me to "please don't turn the car off" when we pull into the driveway. If we didn't have a baby who does not like a stopped car I think we might never get out.
One of our great audio finds at the library is Roald Dahl's Matilda. I know this book is forever old but my children (especially my six-year-old) and my husband and I found this fantastically funny. I had read this as a child and found it every bit as funny now - perhaps more. Matilda is the story of a five year old girl who is exceptionally precocious. She loves to read but upon asking her parents for books she is told to just watch the tellie. She finds the library and begins to read - really read - like the complete works of Charles Dickens. When she enters school (late because her parents did not get around to it) her teacher, Miss Honey, quickly sees that Matilda should be moved up to the highest class. However, Miss Trunchbull, the horrible headmistress, will hear nothing of it. What ensues are unbelievable tales of Miss Trunchbull's cruelness and hilarious stories of children trying to outwit her. If you, or any child you know, have not read this recently - I highly recommend a quick trip to the library.
17 comments:
I actually don't think I've ever read the book...I'll have to look for the audio!
Audio books are the best! I'm positive my six-year-old would enjoy this Dahl story as well, especially if I can find the book to check out along with the audio so she can follow along.
I've seen the movie but never read the book. I will have to check it out. I have a seven-year-old girl who would love it, too.
Thanks!
Some books are timeless - and this is one of them. I read it years ago with my daughters. I second the recommendation!
Roald Dahl books crack me up, and Quentin Blake is a genius! What a fun blog you have going here, Camille! Thank you so much for visiting mine! :)
Camille - I'm so glad you stopped by my blog yesterday. What a great blog you have with such a wide variety of books and authors! I'll be back for sure.
A family and personal favorite. I love the fact that my sixth graders still love Matilda!
This is my all time favorite. I read it again and again as a child and cannot wait to read it to my kiddos. How wonderful that audiobooks are such a success in your family. If I had an operating CD/tape player in my car, I would be inspired by your blog to begin that tradition for all of our road trips! Someday! =)
We love audio books! My kids enjoyed James and the Giant Peach so I'm sure they would love Matilda.
Audio books are great for sharing stories as a group. Some of our family trips are defined by the stories we listened to.
Because we can listen while we do other things, audio books can bring more stories into our days. There are no songs on my mp3 player, just audio books.
Oh Matilda! I loved this book way back when, I wonder if my kids are ready for it.
We don't spend much time in the car so audio books don't really work for us, so it'll be the old-fashioned way of me curled up in the kids bed reading when we get to this.
"Matilda" is one of my favorite books of all time! Everybody in the family has read it--every once in a while a quote will come up in conversation. It would be fun to have the audio book.
Any Dahl book will stand the test of time.
I just read (reread?) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I have to admit I can't remember if I ever read it as a child.
My 9 year old son just read it for the second time. Our family also loved listening to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during a road trip last summer.
On a related note: See if your library has "Play Aways." Each one is a complete audio book with the system to play it. All you need is your own headphones/earbuds. Good for listening in the car if you have kids on too many listening levels.
I think Matilda is every smart girl's heroine, especially the shy and retiring ones. Not only can she think circles around everyone she meets, she doesn't hesitate to use it. Love Matilda.
I just know the book from the classic illustrations. Can't wait to read it!
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