Revolting Rhymes

I listened to this as light relief - and it was perfect. It tells 6 fairy tales with somewhat different outcomes than usual. The beginning of the first explains that you might think you know the story, but that's not what actually happened - that's just the story for children.
All in rhyme, it is just perfect in audio format. The turn of phrase is just brilliant, and, at times, laugh out loud funny. There are the twists on the tale you think you know, and just the use of language that takes you to unexpected places. It's not all in trivial language either, and I think that adds to the appeal. I can see this being fun to read to a child - enjoyable for adult and child. This left me with a smile on my face.

Roald Dahl is a beloved part of so many childhoods. His stories do not talk down to children but show them that even in darkness and despair, there can be humor and hope. The poetry he has written is the same. Finding the ridiculous in the world around us and even in the stories we already know, Dahl is able to expand children's senses of humor and resilience. This book contains six poems that retell classic fairy tales and give them each a rather "revolting" spin. Accompanied by illustrations by Quentin Blake, Dahl shows us new possibilities for the likes of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, and the Three Little Pigs. What if Prince Charming likes to cut off heads? What if the giant at the top show more of the beanstalk ate Jack's mother? Without taking any of them too seriously, he makes all of the stories fun and poetry accessible and the 8 syllable rhymes are fun to speak aloud. show less

Dahl single handedly turns nursery rhymes sideways, inside out and upside down.

Heretofore calm, serene children's playful stories become savage and gruesomely grisly as Cinderella's wicked step sisters have their heads chopped off my the prince.

The seven dwarfs have a gambling addiction; Jack's nasty mum climbs the beanstalk and much to his happiness, she is eaten by the giant; Little Red Riding Hood packs a pistol; Goldilocks may have fair yellow hair, but, really, she is a wanton thief who breaks and enters, thus getting her just reward in the end.

This book is revoltingly funny. As a side note, I was offended by Dahl's use of the word "slut", then did some research to learn that he was not being vile or revolting, but simply using the show more word to connote dirty or slovenly. show less

I loved this book and found it hilarious, but I don't think everyone will. Roald Dahl takes six traditional tales and gives them a fairly grotesque and comical twist.The wonderful illustrations also add a humorous element, but even though they are cartoonish, I would not say this book is for younger readers. (I could see middle school students enjoying it.) My favorite twist on a tale is treating Goldilocks as a criminal and siding with the three bears; needless to say, it does not contain the well-known ending. Some might find the twists a bit disgusting (hence the title), but if you have a healthy (possibly British-like) sense of humor, you will enjoy this book.

Revolting rhymes has Roald Dahl taking 6 popular fairy tales and turning them on their heads.

As rhymes, these are brilliant. Perfect meter for every pair of lines, without ever losing the essence of the sentence.

As retellings, these are fabulous. Every HEA gets twisted into another HEA but not for the original character. The retelling is dark and scary at times.

As a children's book, this doesn't work. it is too difficult for early readers, and too scary for young readers. It might work for older children, but I'd rather have this reserved for middle graders and above. They can truly enjoy the fun of the reimagined fairy tales without any disillusions or disappointment.

Is there anything better than the Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake team in children's literature? I am not sure. Dahl turns traditional fairy tales like Cinderella and Goldilocks on their heads in these humorous poems featuring re-tellings of the tales. Blake's distinctive, angular illustrations are a perfect match for the off-color humor of these poems and are sure to delight children - especially those interested in more macabre endings!

It's that time of year where I rack my brain for birthday present ideas for my godson, Cole. The child has every toy and game that one could possibly wish for and so I rarely feel too bad about being the reliable godmother who always gets him a book. (To my credit, I always try to find an entertaining book and supplement these with things like Gamestop giftcards or t-shirts with a giant squid attacking the Brooklyn Bridge.) This year, I decided that it might be time to introduce the lad to Roald Dahl. Sure, Matilda and The Witches might be reaching for it a bit, but then I remembered Revolting Rhymes. This is a sure winner of a gift for any child with even a smidge of an interest in reading. Why? Does the title not tip you off? These show more deliciously awful poems are short, fun, and incredibly wicked. Plus, they're paired with illustrations by the delightful Quentin Blake. This little volume is sure to be a hit and if you are looking to do a sweep of great Roald Dahl poetry, you can also pick up Dirty Beasts.

Revolting Rhymes features reimagined fairy tales, so your recipient should be familiar with the basic Grimm Brothers' fairy tales. In particular, these six poems touch upon Cinderella, Jack and the beanstalk, Snow White and the seven dwarves, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, and the three little pigs. In general, the stories begin just as you remember, but somewhere along the line we get a bit twisted (as is usually the case with Dahl). Cinderella's prince hacks off the heads of her stepsisters and Cindy realizes she wants a decent man, so ends up married to a jam-maker. Jack learns the benefit of bathing every day at the expense of his mother's life. Snow White and the seven dwarves get rich at the races with a moral that promotes gambling "providing that you always win." Goldilocks ends up eaten as punishment for her crimes. Little Red isn't fooled by the wolf in her grandmother's clothes and gets herself a wolfskin coat. In turn, the three little pigs know just who to call to help with their wolf problem, though unfortunately they don't much benefit from their plan.

Perhaps my favorite two are the last. In Little Red, we have the great lines: "The small girl smiles / Her eyelid flickers / She whips a pistol from her knickers / She aims it at the creature's head / and BANG! BANG! BANG! / she shoots him... dead." In the three little pigs, we have an amusing ending as Little Red exacts payment for her assistance. The poems are all delightful, but I was always delighted that Dahl ended the collection with those two.

If your kids have a wicked streak or perhaps if you're just up to hear them laugh as they see familiar stories twisted, you should certainly consider adding this Roald Dahl volume to your library. Not only will the kids get a kick out of these, but you will, too. An excellent volume for reading aloud, whether that means you're reading to the kids or the kids are reading to you. If they don't have a streak of dark humor, though, then you might steer clear... or at least wait a few years. My godson is nine, though I think this is perfectly acceptable for kids of seven or eight, too. show less