How do I love Roald Dahl? Let me count the ways. We have read all of his marvelous works, but I have to confess, that this book of his poems is new to us. I was so happy to find that Dahl's poems have the same quirky wit and absurd humor that we find in his novels! Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl takes classic fairy tales and turns them on their head resulting in some stories with surprise endings and crazy twists. Fairy tales featured are: Cinderella, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Snow White, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three LIttle Pigs.
I take my job as your book-picker seriously, and I personally appreciate when someone gives me a heads up when a book features sensitive subjects. I have full confidence that this would be a laugh riot read for readers third grade and up, but just a little warning: If you are familiar with Dahl's short stories for adults, you know that he can sometimes have a darker sense of humor. While this book of fairy tale poems is no where near as dark as his adult works, just know that there is a good bit of cartoon violence. Cinderella's prince chops off the evil step sisters' heads, for example. Also, in the Cinderella story, a word that we definitely don't us in our house is used - "slut". It is said by a bad guy, and sometimes we read stories where bad guys use bad words. Possibly not a big deal, but it did surprise me the first time I saw it. Well, glad that's out of the way . .. . .
If you collect Roald Dahl books the way I do, Revolting Rhymes is a must for your collection! It even features pictures by the classic and beloved illustrator who does all of Dahl's work, Quentin Blake.
Have a great day and take time to read a good book!
