Gangsta Granny

[skillsandtea]

Really looking forward to this. Hope it's good. DSes and I loved the book. Anyone else going to watch it?

[vjg13]

Really enjoyed this with the kids.

[OodKingWenceslas]

Rob Brydon & the son were great.

[Mcjob]

We liked it.

I too thought Miranda looked great. The longer hair suited her.

[Taffeta]

We all watched it and enjoyed it. 7 yo DD has watched it again on iplayer is morning! 10 yo DS is a big DW fan.

[Retropear]

Loved the Christmas message re remembering old people.My dc have read all of DW's books,have they all got a message to them?

Dtwin2 really enjoyed seeing the author on screen.

Hope they do another adaptation next year.

[Retropear]

My dc are (10,10 and 9). Must be a good age to enjoy these books.

[Taffeta]

Apparently all the books have Raj in.

[Moln]

Yes all the books have Raj in, though according to Ds1 (10) the shop was laid out differently in the adaption than it was in the Mr Stink adaption, I'm going to have to check that out!

[Waitingforflo]

I'm with flipchart - we were all squirming a bit to be honest. DW books aren't great anyway, they pass the time but that's all. I do find these Xmas adaptions dire though - Gruffalo one totally ruined the book, all these lovies squeeeeeeeezing every drop out of every line, and a fantastic read dragged out and wrecked. Miranda was good in this, and Joanna Lumley until she had to dance, but that was it.

[SpanishFly]

Waitingforflo, how can you say the DW books aren't great and they just pass the time? They're not aimed at you! Any 9yo I know raves about them.

[Waitingforflo]

They just seem formulaic to me - and my 8 year old! Much better stuff out there. They're not awful, just bog standard I think. There are so many books that really engage, that are funny, that kids can't wait to read every night - haven't found DW (or his ghost) to be in that category. They also seem really poor rip offs of some of the much better stuff that's around. Everyone's different though.

[Retropear]

Much better stuff such as.......?

My lot are prolific readers and read a huge variety. From what I've seen of the DW books I've looked at they're great.Quite clever humour.They devour them and can't wait for each one to come out.

Does it have to be an English literature competition?

I have an English literature degree with a specialism in literature for children.I like to read a huge variety of literature,children do too.

Any books that excite kids and gets them reading gets brownie points just for that imvho.

I hate book snobbery for the sake of it.

[TheArticFunky]

Ds loves all the books. Not so keen on the TV adaptation thought it was a bit dull.

[Retropear]

"his ghost"

[octopusinasantasack]

I've recorded it in the hope that it will encourage DS to read, at the moment there are only two authors who he will read and they don't write books as fast as he reads them.

I used to be a bit of a book snob if I am honest but now, well, he can read whatever he likes as long as he reads. If the diary of a wimpy kid books are good enough for the head teacher's son then they are good enough for my son!

[ShirtySocks]

I think I love retropear a little bit

I've read all the David Walliam books (except demon dentist, waiting for DS to finish it) and I've enjoyed them they're very popular - I've also read all the Harry potter and Percy Jackson books and enjoyed them too. I didn't enjoy Lemony Snickett enough to carry on after the first one although lots of boys in my class (I'm a primary school teacher) are devoted to them. I think Mr Gum is hilarious when I dip into them but haven't read one through. Nothing to add particularly but I have read a reasonable amount of children's fiction as an adult and I can't see any reason to be sniffy about David Walliams. I can happily rant about Horrid Henry though if that helps.

We've got gangsta granny ready to watch, might give it a go tonight.

[ShirtySocks]

Octopus - what will he read at mo? My DS loves wimpy kid and Tom Gates but I've finally managed to wean him onto a few more advanced authors...

Anthony Horowitz - Alex Ryder series
Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson series
David Walliams - any

HTH

[octopusinasantasack]

Thanks. Just Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid. He has read a comic strip version of a Percy Jackson book and asked for the series, I got them at a good price from The Book People but he won't read them. It's very frustrating, he's a good reader but he hates reading.

[Waitingforflo]

It isn't book snobbery or being sniffy at all, and well done on having a degree.

Whoever mentioned 'Mr Gum' - there you go . . . fantastic, funny, obviously the inspiration for a lot of DW stuff but a million times better. Wimpy Kid, Tom Gates, Barry Loser, all engaging.

[ShirtySocks]

Octopus - what about Asterix? Still comic strip-esque but the language is a lot more sophisticated. Neither of my dc have been particularly interested but I adored them as a child

[ShirtySocks]

I've got a degree too Flo if you are offering congratulations...
I don't think Mr Gum would be the inspiration for DW - Mr G is bonkers, DW's stuff is based far more in the everyday with a real touch of empathy with issues that might concern a child in each book (Granny's illness, inattentive parents, friendship issues).

[Waitingforflo]

Good call on Asterix - all of mine have loved those, and Tintin. I think Lemony is hit and miss - youngest won't read them at all, but they were very popular with other DCs. Mind you, that's all books isn't it? Confusing myself now . . .

I think a lot of Mr Gum stuff is really touching though - it is mad, and lends itself really well to doing voices, characters etc, but there is also emotional stuff in there, even if it's well hidden. I fully admit to reading them on my own as well . . . .

Yes, well done on your degree too Shirty. But, to be honest, extra well done if it's in something really, really impressive .

[Waitingforflo]

And also meant to mention Matt Haig, Patrick Ness, Neil Gaiman ('Fortunately the Milk' has been a big hit here), 'Wereworld' series for older kids, 'Captain Underpants' for younger ones.

[willyoulistentome]

Yy to Raj in all the books. Ds2 pointed it out to me while back.

[willyoulistentome]

Yy to Raj in all the books. Ds2 pointed it out to me while back.