Saturday, May 25, 2013

Kid Konnection: Matilda


Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a classic Roald Dahl book that's celebrating it's 25 year anniversary!

Summary: “The Trunchbull” is no match for Matilda!

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! -- Puffin

I finally got around the reading the childhood classic MATILDA by Roald Dahl! It wasn't around when I was a kid, and somehow, I missed it when Booking Daughter read it a few years ago. I am so glad I did! MATILDA was so much fun and I couldn't help but fall a little in love with the title character.

MATILDA tells the story of an amazing little girl named Matilda. Matilda is brilliant, but her parents don't appreciate her remarkable talents. She teaches herself to read and tackles Dickens classics before she's five! Matilda can't wait to begin school and learn even more. When she meets Miss Trunchbull, the mean headmistress, she quickly realizes that things at school aren't much better than they are on the home front. One day when Miss Trunchbull is picking on Matilda, Matilda realizes that she has a superpower that might come in handy against bullies. She hones her skill and uses it to her advantage to save the day!

I can certainly see why MATILDA is such a childhood classic. It's a great story with a wonderful main character, and it's entertaining enough to keep the attention of even the most reluctant readers. The story is beyond silly and it even has a bit of the supernatural, but it also has some terrific messages. And the ending is absolutely perfect!

I was fortunate enough to read the 25th anniversary edition of MATILDA which is illustrated by Quentin Blake. His pictures are adorable and the perfect complement to this whimsical story. As mother to an eight year old, I liked that there were loads of drawings included in the book because it breaks up the text... and makes it less intimidating to younger children.

Make sure you check out the fantastic giveaway I'm hosting for a copy of the Matilda the Musical soundtrack, a Matilda the Musical poster, and a paperback copy of Matilda!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

6 comments:

Beth F said...

I seem to have missed most of Dahl's books -- I am the wrong age, I guess.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I missed them too, but maybe we'll make up for it in the giveaway - ha ha

bermudaonion said...

This sounds great! I'm pretty sure I've never read it. Vance probably avoided it because it's about a girl.

Anonymous said...

I have been meaning to read this one for ages, so maybe now is the time to make it happen.

Laura at Library of Clean Reads said...

I've read a few of Dahl's books but not this one.

Anna said...

My daughter fell in love with the movie when she was younger, and then we read the book together and enjoyed picking out the differences. I'm glad you got a chance to read it!