Get Ready for “Wonka” with these books that will make you feel like you found a Golden Ticket
By Meghan Volchko, Digital Content Librarian
Come with me and you’ll see a whole bunch of great books! As I’m sure you know by now, the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is about to hit the silver screen again, this time as a prequel starring Timothée Chalamet.
Everyone’s sweet tooth is going to get a good workout as we dip ourselves into some great Wonka-esque reads, available through your Libby app. These are all great for the whole family, so be sure you have these on your shelves for the holiday reading season!
Books You Should Know About:
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
Ever wonder what happened to Charlie after the movie ended?
From the publisher:
Now that he’s won the chocolate factory, what’s next for Charlie?
Last seen flying through the sky in a giant elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Bucket’s back for another adventure. When the giant elevator picks up speed, Charlie, Willy Wonka, and the gang are sent hurtling through space and time. Visiting the world’’ first space hotel, battling the dreaded Vermicious Knids, and saving the world are only a few stops along this remarkable, intergalactic joyride.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
Never has a book about dairy been so incredibly silly…
From the publisher:
An absolute delight of a madcap story for the young (and young-at-heart) by New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, with equal parts pirates and piranhas, adventure and aliens, oddity and love.
“I bought the milk,” said my father. “I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: t h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road.”
“Hullo,” I said to myself. “That’s not something you see every day. And then something odd happened.”
Find out just how odd things get in this hilarious story of time travel and breakfast cereal, expertly told by Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Neil Gaiman.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
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Buy the audiobook here
If you wanted to visit a candy factory, I bet you also wanted to spend the night in the library!
From the publisher:
Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
When your sweet tooth needs satisfying, give this a try!
From the publisher:
In this zany twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate! Kids will eat this up for summer reading or anytime!
Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out….
The Chocolate Touch has remained a favorite for millions of kids, teachers, and parents for several generations. It’s an enjoyable story that pulls in even reluctant readers.
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 4 to 6, in the classroom or for homeschooling.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
Great for anyone that has felt like they don’t belong.
From the publisher:
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 menacing, kid-hating 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!
Here is Roald Dahl’s original novel of a little girl with extraordinary powers.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
A school has never been so silly!
From the publisher:
Accidentally built sideways and standing thirty stories high (the builder said he was very sorry for the mistake), Wayside School has some of the wackiest classes in town, especially on the thirtieth floor. That’s where you’ll meet Bebe, the fastest draw in art class; John, who only reads upside down; Myron, the best class president ever; and Sammy, the new kid—he’s a real rat.
More than fifteen million readers have laughed at the clever and hilarious stories of Wayside School. So what are you waiting for? Come visit Wayside School! Kids 7 to 13 will zoom through these chapter books—laughing their way through the fast, funny, silly but relatable stories.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Buy the ebook here
Buy the audiobook here
Who doesn’t love a sweet story about penguins and all of the trouble they can cause?!
From the publisher:
How many penguins in the house is too many? Mr. Popper is a humble house painter living in Stillwater who dreams of faraway places like the South Pole. When an explorer responds to his letter by sending him a penguin named Captain Cook, Mr. Popper and his family’s lives change forever. Soon one penguin becomes twelve, and the Poppers must set out on their own adventure to preserve their home. First published in 1938, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a classic tale that has enchanted young readers for generations. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Richard and Florence Atwater including rare photos from the authors’ estate.
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
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Buy the audiobook here
For extra fun, the audiobook is narrated by Tim Curry!
From the publisher:
In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.
Are you made fainthearted by death? Does fire unnerve you? Is a villain something that might crop up in future nightmares of yours? Are you thrilled by nefarious plots? Is cold porridge upsetting to you? Vicious threats? Hooks? Uncomfortable clothing?
It is likely that your answers will reveal A Series of Unfortunate Events to be ill-suited for your personal use. A librarian, bookseller, or acquaintance should be able to suggest books more appropriate for your fragile temperament. But to the rarest of readers we say, “Proceed, but cautiously.”
More lists of pure imagination
Genre Expert: Middle Grade Fiction
Must-Watch Films
The Witches, 1990
Watch on Kanopy here
Many of us still have nightmares from this movie based on the Roald Dahl classic!
From the studio:
Anjelica Huston stars in this fantasy based on a Roald Dahl book about a little boy and his kindly grandmother thwarting a coven of witches who want to rid Britain of children by turning them into mice. Vacationing at a seaside hotel with his grandmother, a young boy discovers that a convention of witches is also staying there and finds out about the evil plans of their Grand High Witch (Huston). Jim Henson devised the creature effects in his last film.
The BFG, 1989
Watch on Kanopy here
A sweet, animated story of a girl and her giant friend.
From the studio:
Sophie, a nine-year-old orphan, is awakened one night by the sound of an owl. Upon peering out her attic window, she is terrified to see a 25-foot-tall giant, who ends up taking Sophie to a faraway land populated by giants and dreams. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl.
A Little Something Extra
Support your community by adding Libby Extras to your collection! Today I’m highlighting Kovels.
Kovels is the go-to source for expert information, pricing, and trends on antiques and collectibles. Your patrons can find their own treasures, at home and on-the-road!
We hope that your end of the year is full of laughter and love and lots and lots of chocolate! Your Digital Content Librarian team is always here to help you with any questions about our available titles, so please reach out to your DCL or Account Manager if you are in need of assistance!
