Reviewed by
Dianne Bates
Ultra-popular
children’s author, the late Englishman Roald Dahl lives on, thanks to the UK
marketing department of his publisher. As well as the books on writing recently
released, now comes this book which was inspired by Dahl’s novel, Matilda. It’s a colourful book with the
sub-title ‘Brilliant tricks to bamboozle grown-ups’ and with lots of visual
interest which ought to appeal to readers aged 8 to 12 years.
After the bright
fly and title pages, there’s a double-page spread introducing, with drawings and
descriptions, all the main characters in Matilda,
including the ‘extra-ordinary child genius looking for revenge’ (Matilda herself),
Mr and Mrs Wormwood, her ‘stupid and despicable parents’, Miss Honey, the kind
teacher, Miss Trunchball (‘hulking and horrifying’) and Bruce Bogtrotter (read
the book to find out about Bruce!)
In this book
readers will discover mental marvels, amazing tricks, puzzles and games to
train the brain. They will also learn how to stun others with the powers of
mind-reading (guessing shoe size, for instance), how to add massive numbers sans
calculator and how to write fiendish riddles, including secret messages using
invisible ink. They will even learn how to poke skewers through balloons without
popping them, and how to make exploding cakes.
No doubt
this is a book which will entertain and occupy curious kids. It’s chock-a-block
full of amazing material. No doubt Dahl would have approved!
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