Scan barcode
katharines's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful read! One I can't help but think my son and my father would have enjoyed together if it had been around 12 years ago.
talkingscribe's review against another edition
5.0
Most of the book intrigued me but rarely made me laugh. But as I got closer to the end, there were parts that literally made me laugh out loud for awhile. The Grandpa was such a fun character (as was the shopkeeper)! And the ending was well-written and very poignant; it's what really "made" the whole book for me, if that's understandable.
sarahbrad's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
damyyg's review against another edition
5.0
benim için bu kitap hayal dünyama sınır tanımayan bir kitaptı. uçağa olan ilgimi milyonlara katlayan ve bu milyonlar ile çılgınlık yapmamı isteyen hayallerimi ayaklandıran bir kitap oldu. ayrıca dede-torun ilişkisi o kadar güzel anlatılmıştı ki dedemle olan maceralarım aklıma geldi ve o günler burnumda tüttü diyebilirim.
rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been a David Walliams fan since the decidedly un-kid-friendly UK show, Little Britain; his children’s books have just made me love him that much more. He and illustrator Tony Ross are this generation’s Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake; bringing hilariously dry British humor with a touch of true affection to American audiences. Demon Dentist introduced readers to Alfie, a kid taking care of his father while fighting a dentist from hell. In Grandpa’s Great Escape, we head back to 1983 to meet Jack and his grandpa, a World War II flying ace who shares his stories with Jack. Grandpa is Jack’s absolute favorite person in the world, so when Grandpa starts forgetting things, Jack becomes the only person who knows how to communicate with him: by addressing the Wing Commander on his own battlefield. But Grandpa starts wandering, and Jack’s parents make the worst possible choice ever: to send Grandpa to Twilight Towers, a questionable old-age home run by the very questionable Matron Swine. It’s up to Jack to save Grandpa!
Grandpa’s Great Escape is laugh-out loud hilarious while addressing the stress of watching a grandparent grow older. Where people around him see Grandpa as a nuisance, a danger to himself and others, or both, Jack sees his World War II hero; his playmate; his best friend. He’ll never give up on Grandpa, and Grandpa will never give up on Jack. Jack draws on the life lessons Grandpa taught him to save his best friend: and take him on one last mission.
A must-add to any collection, and a great book to have on hand for discussions about grandparents and aging. Take a look at David Walliams’ website for more about his books, and special features – like newsagent Raj’s shop!
Grandpa’s Great Escape is laugh-out loud hilarious while addressing the stress of watching a grandparent grow older. Where people around him see Grandpa as a nuisance, a danger to himself and others, or both, Jack sees his World War II hero; his playmate; his best friend. He’ll never give up on Grandpa, and Grandpa will never give up on Jack. Jack draws on the life lessons Grandpa taught him to save his best friend: and take him on one last mission.
A must-add to any collection, and a great book to have on hand for discussions about grandparents and aging. Take a look at David Walliams’ website for more about his books, and special features – like newsagent Raj’s shop!
meowzik's review against another edition
4.0
Man, I was so excited for the new David Walliams, and this didn't disappoint! I loved it. Great story, great humour, kids will love it.
creatingjana's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read but not up the standard of other David Walliams books. The relationship between Jack and his grandfather was sweet and I loved how he didn't give up on his favourite person, even when things got difficult and the adults around him wrote his grandfather off completely. I also liked that Raj was once more an important supporting character in this, despite the story being set in the 80s. And the ending was quite charming.
But things got a bit too silly and over the top at points, even for a children's adventure book (The list of rules at Twilight Towers? The puppeteering on visitor day? The ten million volt cattle prod? 🤦♀️). I get that the adults are supposed to be clueless and cruel compared to Jack, but it often veered into the territory of preposterous.
Most importantly, the "ugly equals evil" trope was very disappointing, especially since it was trans-coded. Plus the extensive mockery of the male police officer with the "girly name". Why enforce harmful stereotypes in a children's book?
I've liked other works by Walliams but I'm not sure if I'm gonna read more of his backlist or just wait for new - and hopefully more thoughtful - stories by him.
But things got a bit too silly and over the top at points, even for a children's adventure book (The list of rules at Twilight Towers? The puppeteering on visitor day? The ten million volt cattle prod? 🤦♀️). I get that the adults are supposed to be clueless and cruel compared to Jack, but it often veered into the territory of preposterous.
Most importantly, the "ugly equals evil" trope was very disappointing, especially since it was trans-coded. Plus the extensive mockery of the male police officer with the "girly name". Why enforce harmful stereotypes in a children's book?
I've liked other works by Walliams but I'm not sure if I'm gonna read more of his backlist or just wait for new - and hopefully more thoughtful - stories by him.
raebyday's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book by this author I’ve read to my daughter. We both loved it and it sparked a big interest in airplanes for her. Her grandfather (my dad) has dementia and it was really nice to see that despite grandpa thinking a war was going on his grandson was still right there with him rooting him on. The connection they have in this story is just so wonderful. I’ll definitely pick up another book by this author for us to read soon.