I bought my copy of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming very recently and I must admit that it was the fact that it is illustrated by John Burningham which tempted me to buy this edition. I am trying to work my way through any children’s classics which I missed out on when I was actually a child. The book was first published in 1964, when I was only 5 years old and was probably aimed at kids who were a few years older than that.
However this is a really enjoyable read for children of all ages although if you’ve seen the film you might be a bit disappointed that the book is so different. There’s no Truly Scrumptious nor Grandfather and they don’t wheech off to a fairytale castle, although they do fly over to France. Unusually of course Ian Fleming didn’t get rid of the parents, the Pott children, Jeremy and Jemima have a father AND mother in the book, Caractacus and Mimsie, although the mother is so shadowy a character she might as well not be there at all. There is a Lord Skrumshus who owns a sweet factory though.
Obviously the film makers took a great idea and ran with it – off to an even crazier land than Fleming had imagined.
You can see images from the book here.
I’ve always preferred the book to the film, though I haven’t read it in ages. I remember the surprise I felt when I learned that Ian Fleming also wrote the Bond novels – up til then I thought the world of writers was firmly divided between those who wrote for children & for grown-ups.
Lisa,
I remember being absolutely flabbergasted when I discovered that Chitty Chitty was written by Ian Fleming, I originally thought it must be a different Ian Fleming!
I don’t think I have ever seen the film the whole way through and certainly not read the book. Although knowing who wrote the book has come in handy in many a quiz I have done.
Reading the Mary Poppins books is what I am attempting to achieve. I read two last year and they are certainly nothing like the film!
Jo,
Thanks, you’ve reminded me that I wanted to read the Mary Poppins books after reading about them on The Book Jotter.
I didn’t get to a lot of children’s books until after I had children myself as I went on to adult fiction too early I think so I have some catching up to do.
This sounds like a great read, Katrina. I am going to have to look into finding a copy. With these illustrations would be great, but I will see what I can find.
tracybham,
I’m a Burningham fan but there are probably other editions with different illustrations which are really good too.
I was flabbergasted to find out that Ian Fleming wrote this! I can’t say I was taken with the film but I must read the book sometime!