Itchy Coo has recently published another translation of a popular Roald Dahl work which will no doubt interest children, parents and schools. Hot on the success of Susan Rennie’s The Guid Freendly Giant, which was published to coincide with the film release, we now have a version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or, Chairlie and the Chocolate Works, by Matthew Fitt. The book tells the story of the reclusive Willie Wonka who organises a competition for children to visit his factory, in the hope of finding a suitable successor among them. Along the way, some of the children exhibit terrible character flaws that result in them being eliminated from the running – and provide the reader with moral lessons. We are all probably familiar with the big screen versions played by the late Gene Wilder, and, later, by Jonny Depp, and now Fitt provides us with a Wonka with a Scottish voice. As with Susan Rennie’s book, the illustrations are by Quentin Blake.

Chairlie and the Chocolate Works is published in paperback priced £6.99 (ISBN 978-1-78530-083-7). There is more information on the Itchy Coo website or please contact Laura Nicol at laura@blackandwhitepublishing.com or phone 0131 625 4500.