Independent Press Telegraph
A delightfuly marvelous story bound to enchant all Willy Wonka fans.
From the Publisher
"Dahl's phenomenal popularity among children speaks for his breathless storytelling charms."—Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal - Audio
11/01/2013
Gr 3–6—Charlie's adventures continue in Dahl's tongue-in-cheek, rambunctious sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Listeners will climb aboard a glass elevator with Charlie, his family, and Mr. Wonka and travel into outer space where they visit a space hotel, escape the Vermicious Knids, and save the world. It is hard to stop laughing at Dahl's clever puns and hilarious situations delivered by award-winning actor Douglas Hodge whose talent is reminscent of Jim Dale's extraordinary narration of the "Harry Potter" series. While his rapid pace takes getting used to, his timing and incredible range of voices bring this favorite childhood classic to life.—Terri Norstrom, Cary Area Library, IL
APRIL 2014 - AudioFile
Narrator Douglas Hodge infuses this over-the-top sequel to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY with a spectacular amount of energy and hilarious voices. Charlie’s grandparents, with the exception of Grandpa Joe, haven’t got out of bed in years, so they end up in the great glass elevator in outer space in their nightshirts being chased by Vermicious Knids (weird slimy critters). Their crankiness is rendered as gruffness and a tone of distrust. Meanwhile, the president of the United States, Lancelot R. Gilligrass, is wondering what is happening to his astronauts. Gilligrass is a twit, and Hodge maximizes the silly humor with growls and simpers. In addition, Willy Wonka’s eternal optimism positively snaps with oomph. Listeners will feel as if they’ve had a dose of the anti-aging Wonka-Vite at the end of the whole crazy listening experience. A.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
