While it certainly isn't educational in any manner, this book is a real gem. The amount of creativity that is contained within is exceptional, even 7 years after reading it I can still see the influence that this book, and all of the other fine books Mr. Dhal has written on my girl. Of course that might also be the reason for her insatiable sweet tooth...

Roald Dahl's stories are among the darkest, most terrifying examples of the horror genre in existence. While they "reward" a so-called "good" child, they nonetheless portray depictions of abuse, including sexual abuse, extreme poverty and deprivation, and so on. They are far darker and more horrific than any "fairy tale", and the film adaptations (Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, specifically) are even darker and more terrifying than the novels themselves. While "Chocolate Factory" is the best known of Dahl's novels, all of them, without exception, are entirely unsuitable for any child under the age of 15 or so. The books have no redeeming qualities for the age groups at which they are supposedly aimed, unless "redeeming" suddenly means nightmarish, upsetting, and terrifying.

welldone

This delightful tale creates such vivid imagery you'll be tempted to head for the local chocolate store for a snack! The kids can't help but pick up on the fact that the "good" boy is the only one who succeeds in making it through the whole tour, and then gets a huge blessing for his whole family too! A good engaging story that kids will never tire of hearing.

It's a great book that a lot of kids love because it's funny.

I read "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" when I was 10 years old and re-read it several times until I discovered "James & The Giant Peach", also by Roald Dahl and fell in love all over again with his whacky fables. You must read this book and recommend it to your children and you and your family must see BOTH the movies that have been made from the story.