Saturday, October 4, 2008

The BFG: a book and a play

I fell in love with author Roald Dahl's writing style a couple of years ago. After finally seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mika and I read the corresponding novel. It was a hoot! So creative and descriptive and silly! We quickly followed it with Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Then last year, we heard that a somewhat local playhouse was putting on a play of James and the Giant Peach. That prompted us to read the novel before going to the play. It, too, was so much fun. Now, that same playhouse is putting on a production of The BFG. Last year's play was so well-done and so fun, I couldn't resist the opportunity. As soon as we finished our last read aloud, we borrowed the book from the library and have been enjoying every word since. We can't wait for the play.

The first few chapters, we met Sophie who is kidnapped by the BFG. After being whisked to Giant Land by him, they have a conversation about how the other giants eat "human beans" and what human beans from various parts of the world taste like. Of course, Roald Dahl has a ball playing with words here and it isn't the least bit disgusting or distasteful. One thing I like about the novel is the Giant's speech. His poor grammar and made up words are fun. My kids beg me to do voices, which are normally difficult for me to keep up, the Giant's voice just naturally comes out in reading his lines. Here's just a few fun quotes from the beginning of the book:

The Giant let out a bellow of laughter. "Just because I is a giant,
you think I is a man-gobbling cannybull!"

"He says Turks from Turkey is tasting of turkey."

"Every human bean is diddly and different. Some is
scrumdiddlyumptions and some is uckyslush."

"They would be putting me into the zoo or bunkum-house with all those squiggling hippodumplings and crocadowndillies."


The remainder of the book is devoted to telling how Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant conspire to stop the other giants from eating human beans. I'm sure it will be lots of fun and I can't wait.

To make this adventure even more exciting, we'll be seeing that play in about a week and a half. I can't wait. I love live theater. I've been taking the kids to live theater productions since they were babies. They love live theater when it fits their interest levels. I'm sure this one will be a hit.

If you live in the area, consider reading the book (well, everyone should consider that) and taking the kids to the play. The Olympia Family Theater puts on plays designed just for children. The BFG is the first one of the season and is recommended for children 4 and up. October 16th is Thrifty Thursday and tickets will only be $5 each. The show starts at 7pm. Tickets go on sale just after 6pm and are sold on a first come first serve basis. Enjoy!

**Disclosure: This review was provided of my own free will. I did not receive anything from the publisher, author, or anyone else for the review. I'm just sharing my feelings, opinions, and experiences that are part of our homeschooling experience.

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