Who Would You Take?

This post was inspired by the classic Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, which
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. 
To celebrate, Penguin Young Readers Group, in partnership with 
Dylan's Candy Bar, the world-famous candy emporium, and 
First Book, a non-profit social enterprise that provides books for children 
from low-income families, is launching a year-long international celebration.

Head Over to From Left to Write to learn how you and your child can 

have a chance to win The Golden Ticket Sweepstakes where the grand

prize is a magical trip to New York City plus much more! For every 

entry submitted, Penguin Young Readers Group will make a donation 

to First Book.  Then join From Left to Write on July 24 as we discuss 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  As a book club member, I received 

a copy of the book for review purposes.  

 

Here are our excited faces!  

I just got to read Charlie and The Chocolate Factory with my middle man-cub, Larry (as in Moe, Larry and Curly).  I remember seeing the movie as a kid and LOVING the story.  I loved the idea of a magical candy factory right in the middle of the city, and an eccentric ga-jillionaire who could, and did, do any old thing he wanted to. 

I have to be honest, I did not see the more recent version of this movie.  Not because I have anything against Johnny Depp, but because I loved the classic movie so much I was afraid it would be ruined for me, by being remade.  I'm not opposed to new versions of classic movies or songs or stories, but there are some that are, in my mind, so perfectly perfect that you just cannot improve on them.  I hated Madonna's version of 'American Pie.'  

But I digress. 

My son didn't really know the story and didn't know what to expect with the book, but he barreled through it in a day. He's a fast reader, when something grabs his attention, and this book grabbed him, all right.  He was fascinated with the idea of a never-ending supply of candy, and he liked Charlie the best out of all the kids.  He liked that the "humble, modest" kid got a Golden Ticket and he LOVED that Charlie was the one who got the big prize at the end. 

I really enjoy reading books and discussing books with my kids, but they are all boys and they are very literal and concrete.  They don't really think in the abstract much, or nail down themes very well. When asked what they liked most about a story, a typical answer in my house is "all of it." When asked about the best part, a typical answer is "the whole thing."  This is something we're working on! 

When I really get into a good story, it transports me.  I imagine myself in the characters' shoes, and think about how I would handle the circumstances of the story.  I imagine what if? 

So I asked Larry, if you won a Golden Ticket, who would you take?  He answered almost immediately, "You and Dad. You're allowed to take two adults."  

Hmm.  Too easy.  I wanted him to THINK a little.

So I asked what two adults he would take if you weren't allowed to choose your parents.

He thought for a minute and answered, "Ben and Lauren." Ben and Lauren are his two older siblings, my grown stepchildren.  My kids don't see as much of their older siblings as I would like; they are adults, out in the world living their lives.  They both live in other states, but one is much closer than the other.  One is married with a two year old and a brand new baby, the other is a night owl that works third shift and lives on almost the total opposite side of the clock from us. 

I love that he loves them so much, in spite of how little he gets to see them.  I love how they aren't "out of sight, out of mind" for him.  They may not have that close relationship that siblings have when they are closer in age, and see each other all the time, but they are never far from his thoughts.  

If he does ever win that Golden Ticket, I'll arm-wrestle them both, though.....I'm going to the Chocolate Factory.  Just saying.  

Who would YOU take on the adventure of a lifetime?