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For book lovers, one of the joys of having children is the ability to share childhood favorites with a new generation of readers—and to experience them again for the first time through their eyes. One of those beloved novels that’s worth revisiting is author Roald Dahl’s imaginative classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The story follows the adventures of poor little Charlie Bucket, who lives in a tiny shack with his parents and his four bedridden grandparents. When Willy Wonka, the mysterious and reclusive owner of the world’s most amazing chocolate factory, announces that he’ll be opening the gates to five lucky winners, the whole world joins in the frenzy to find the five magical golden tickets. And when Charlie finds one, he and his Grandpa Joe join four rather obnoxious children for the experience of a lifetime.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic tale filled with sweet treats and imagination, starring one adorable young underdog that kids will love from the very first page.
The main characters are unforgettable—and entirely lovable. Little Charlie Bucket is the kind of kid that you desperately want to win in the end. He’s sweet and thoughtful and completely virtuous—a timid young boy whose only flaw is his inability to stand up for himself.
Grandpa Joe makes a great companion for Charlie. Though he’s been stuck in bed for the past 20 years, he’s surprisingly energetic, encouraging his grandson and telling him fabulous stories. And Charlie’s great fortune finally inspires him to get out of bed and seek out the kind of excitement that he’s clearly been missing for quite some time.
And then, of course, there’s the wonderfully flamboyant Willy Wonka—a Peter Pan kind of character who loves children and chocolate and who lives his life in a delicious world of his own creation. A grown-up with a childlike sense of playfulness, he makes the perfect tour guide for this magical adventure.
The rest of the characters, meanwhile, are memorable, too—but for completely different reasons. The other children are laughably unruly. They’re spoiled and selfish and rude. Admittedly, the Oompa-Loompas and their lengthy songs about the children aren’t exactly politically correct. In fact, at times, it can get a little preachy—and it can sometimes sound like a crabby old man complaining about “kids these days.” But the messages also serve as valuable reminders to be kind, unselfish, and considerate of others.
Whimsical and thoughtful, imaginative and inspiring, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a childhood classic—one that your children are sure to request for multiple readings. It’s a must-have for every family’s bookshelf.
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