Danny the Champion of the World Paperback
by Roald Dahl (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 3,601 ratings
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7 - 10 years, from customers
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Roald Dahl
The son of Norwegian parents, Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916 and educated at Repton. He was a fighter pilot for the RAF during World War Two, and it was while writing about his experiences during this time that he started his career as an author.
His fabulously popular children's books are read by children all over the world. Some of his better-known works include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG.
He died in November 1990.
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Top reviews from the United States
Moo Moo
5.0 out of 5 stars Reminds me of my DadReviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
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I read this before reading it to my child and was I ever grateful for the touching story with just enough tension and suspense. It is so hard to find books that actually develop characters, have a moral unfolding, but neither scold nor over expose children. I am really not into the books that have jaded ill tempered kids as the character or in the end some beloved animal dies and this just avoids that whole obscene circus feel. It is a delightful gem which shows you a beginning understanding of nuance in the young fellow. Funny, I had never heard of this one until I picked it up randomly at the library. I really loved it so much I had to buy a copy so we would have it in the shelf.
30 people found this helpful
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P.R. de Jong
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this storyReviewed in the United States on October 8, 2021
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One of my favorite books as a kid. Red it to
My 8y old son who really enjoyed it as well.
One person found this helpful
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bonni Fisler
4.0 out of 5 stars in as advertised condition. Came on time.Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2013
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Book in the condition that the seller advertised. Seller sent the book to us in a timely way. By the way an excellent book that I loved when I was a kid; so I thought it was a good one for our 9 and 11 year old boys. They like the book too. Get your kids off the electronics folks... Our kids are required to read one hour every day after school on top of any homework. Two hours on each Saturday and Sunday. That's 9 hours every week! Consequently our 11 year old has a 10th grade reading level. Don't let your kids rot away the brain on video games and the boob-tube. And yes they still get to play some video/electronic games... Parent your children people! Sorry for my rant in such an odd place too.
2 people found this helpful
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Aletha
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bookReviewed in the United States on December 23, 2021
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Recommended by my niece.
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M. Kimball
3.0 out of 5 stars Uncomfortable with some of the themes of the bookReviewed in the United States on March 13, 2014
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The book is an easy to read tale of a boy and his single parent father which has great potential to spark interesting conversations with children (and adults). What made me uncomfortable about the book was the overall theme: Stealing is okay, especially if it is from a rich person. Other disconcerting ideas from the book included cruelty to animals (as Danny and his father choke and drug pheasants), vandalism (to a person's car) and overall dishonesty which is also supported by the doctor and the religious pastor. In addition, the author seems to focus also on the excitement and adrenalin caused by doing something reckless or illegal. As I was reading I kept thinking to myself, "Could this possible be a satire?" But sadly, that was not the case. I am glad I read this with my daughter so that we were able to take the time to discuss these problematic issues. Danny is a very likeable character who seems at first to be the adult and moral compass of the book. Unfortunately, he falls prey to his father's criminal behavior in his desire to be close to his father.
I gave it three stars because I do think children will enjoy reading it and I do think reading it with a son or daughter (or class) is and excellent way to talk about honesty, good character and making good choices.
3 people found this helpful
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Sir Bowen
4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, but with some negative lessons.Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2000
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This is a wonderful book, and represents the artful storyteller Dahl at his best. It contains his usual wit, suspense, and masterfully-crafted characters.
In particular, the special relationship between the father and the son is described more richly than in any other story I can think of. It's a warm relationship, and keeps a delicate balance between their being best buddies and maintaining the distinct father/son roles.
There is one difficult point, however. Throughout the story, the main characters freely trespass and steal, and they plot humilation for the wealthy landowner nearby. These things are justified in the dialog in that 1) everyone does it, 2) it makes you "feel alive" with the thrill of possibly being caught, and 3) the landowner is mean, anyway. Not exactly the sorts of messages you want your kids to pick up from a book. You may want to be prepared to discuss this with them before reading it.
5 people found this helpful
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P.L.
5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Most Favorite BooksReviewed in the United States on October 30, 2017
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I bought this book to read to my two children as it is one of my all-time favorite books. I love the story of a loving father and son, living modestly, but oh so happily. I love the exciting adventure that they both embark upon, and I love the community spirit that is shared by all the townsfolk that look out for each other and help each other out.
I bought the hardcover version as I am hoping that one day my darling daughters will read this wonderful book to their children...
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MamaGreen Bear
5.0 out of 5 stars Dahl GreatReviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
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Another great Dahl book for kids. My kid likes this.
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Dave Bloomer
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem from childhood.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2018
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I remember reading this many years ago and it leaving me with an enormous joy. So years later as a man in his 40's, I thought I'd revisit it and see if it was as good as I remembered it; it was even better. Reading a Roald Dahl book is stepping into a bright and wonderful world. I felt a connection to both Danny and his father. A really warm story for children of any age.
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Freewheeling
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute classic short story that Adults can enjoy today.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2020
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An absolute classic of a children's book. I read when it was first published and it's stayed in my emotional memory ever since. I read it again but this time as an adult well into the second half of his life. It reads well as a short story for adults and it stands up well in our modern world in terms of commenting on society and the relationship between a father and son.
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Justine
5.0 out of 5 stars Great classic my 7 year old loves.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2021
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My daughter is slowly making her way through the all the Roald Dahl classics. Another great read that she enjoyed. We read together in the evenings. I love the hardback editions of these & we have quite a few. I’m hoping that she will go back to them & independently read as she gets more confident. I love finding new & unique publications for my kids & not so much classics but there is something different about Roald Dahl. His books never get old & the style of writing is captivating.
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Andrew W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Come on Danny!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2022
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Rooting for the criminal hero who is stealing and planning to slaughter birds. Only Dahl can get you there as a reader. Remember reading this as a child and it was still fabulous when I came back to it many decades later.
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M - L P
5.0 out of 5 stars Danny Champion of the WorldReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2012
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This audiobook tells a very nice story of a happy young boy and his gorgeous father, who live in an old gypsy caravan without electricity in it. His mother died when he was a little child. The father is working in his own small gas station and workshop where his son Danny learns very much about cars, even to drive one. Their living is economically poor but by no means empty, they love and adore each other.
Their big adventure where Danny needs his skill to run a car is connected with poaching pheasants and sabotaging the great hunting party of the rich landowner, and during these events Danny is to become the Champion of the World.
The reader Nathaniel Parker is as exquisite as ever. He is doing all characters many of them most hilarious: nine-year old Danny, his loving father who smiles only with his eyes, the local policeman, the vicar`s wife and others. He brings to life the whole story with incredible brilliance, you could never achieve that by reading the book yourself.
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