Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! The new children's book from No. Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner… and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat.
Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat?
But that's impossible…? Expect the unexpected in this wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud adventure, which will have readers on the edge of their seats as they join Ben on his quest to unravel the mystery of the return of The Black Cat. The publisher said: "Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat!
I was waiting until I had an idea that felt special. This was a joy to write and I hope it will be a joy to read too. I read this as a bedtime story over a few nights with my children, aged 5 and 8. Ben thinks his granny is a boring old lady, who only likes playing scrabble and eating cabbage but he's about to find out that he has under appreciated Granny.
Could she possibly be a gangster? Or even a gangsta?! This was a read which both my children enjoyed. There were a few gross references, to breaking wind mostly, which are always a winner with children.
It's a good book to read aloud, but be prepared to do som I read this as a bedtime story over a few nights with my children, aged 5 and 8. It's a good book to read aloud, but be prepared to do some voices, because it works much better if you're willing to put some effort into it! I thought that the writing was along the lines of Roald Dahl , however unlike Dahl's writing there was a moral to this story, which surprised me a little bearing in mind David Walliams' comedy!
I would give a word of warning that there is quite a sad event in this book, which may be a little upsetting for more sensitive children. One aspect of the book I enjoyed was the references to the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels which really interested my children educational opportunity! We'd certainly try another David Walliams book. View all 13 comments. Feb 29, Laura Corna rated it it was amazing Shelves: read-with-my-children. Lovely book for young readers: I read it with my daughters.
It made me laugh and cry I do not want to be unfair. This is a book for children. I am not a child, but a grumpy old man. Still, I occasionally read and very much enjoy YA novels, I just love funny novels and this is among the bestselling comedy books in the UK these are three valid reasons for curiosity - and there may be other adults like me tempted to try David Walliams. Maybe I would have fared better, if I liked his TV writing Little Britain , but I am not a fan of that show at all, finding it either mean s I do not want to be unfair.
Maybe I would have fared better, if I liked his TV writing Little Britain , but I am not a fan of that show at all, finding it either mean spirited, exploiting the worst stereotypes or just plain stupid. Gangsta Granny suffers from the same problems: It uses the lowest common denominators to gain as wide an audience as possible that it overshoots at those who actually prefer to think for themselves and ask questions.
Case in point: Ben's parents are such unlikely caricatures of adults in their obsession with and reduction to ballroom dancing, it is painful. And though his grandmother's secret past as a thief might be a funny idea in itself just not very original , her other persona of 'granny' is such a stereotype it should not have made it past the first editor. To call David Walliams a modern Roald Dahl is very inappropriate. Jun 22, Hamad rated it really liked it Shelves: tear-worthy-books.
Otherwise you're just wasting your time. If you like your Grandma -and mine is one of my fav people ever- you are sure to like this book, it was funny, educative pigs almost do NOT have sweat glands and emotional and it was a little bit deep too.
The cover reminds me of Roald Dahl books and the content was as good too, I also read that some call David the next Roald Dahl and he deserves it, I think I am checking his other works soon. Apr 06, Lucija rated it it was amazing. This book is just so brilliant and heart breaking. It was such a short read and anyone can read it in two hours.
I loved everything in this book and yes I know, it is a childrens book, but still, it was so awesome. I couldn't put it down. So far, it is one of my favorite reads of and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of David Williams books. Dec 13, Kitty rated it it was amazing Shelves: david-walliams.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What a lovely book by David Walliams. I have just finished reading it with my daughter who is in year 4 and she absolutely loved and couldn't put it down. Its a heart warming story about a boy who discovers that his granny is not just about cabbage and scrabble and is an international jewel thief. Together they plan the world's biggest heist - the Crown Jewels! Their journey in crime is extremely entertaining, especially when What a lovely book by David Walliams.
Their journey in crime is extremely entertaining, especially when they met the Queen. The language is conversational so it is easy to get swept along in the narrative but sufficiently peppered with vocabulary that could challenge years 3 or 4 in some places. It is a lovely book for not only individual but whole class reading. Walliams handles the issue of granny's death very sensitively.
It serves to simplify a child's acceptance of the death of a loved one and can certainly expand any PHSE or RE session if a teacher is sensitive enough to structure a lesson using this story as an opening. View all 15 comments. Jan 23, Alison rated it it was ok Shelves: fiction , yaf-kids. I really should have said no to reading this book, lent to me by an eight year old. It contains some of the lazy kids writing tropes I really dislike - adults whose clear stupidity is marked by their no-hoper working class jobs because no nail technician ever had capacity for independent thought and critical analysis , overly signalled plot developments, jokes which are just cliches ranked up to 10, and total disdain for believability or coherent world building.
But anything that gets kids reading, and isn't kinda evil, gets some points. Eight year old loved it. Feb 18, Isabel rated it it was amazing. This is my all time favourite book. The humour is great. I like it because it has cliffhangers that make you want to read on. The book just hooks you in from the very start. I would recommend this book to people between the ages of 9 and Warm and occasionally funny,on other occasions absurd, but with a great message.
Took me a bit by surprise. I'm still on the fence of how Walliams decided to end the story, it was a bit too much for me, but I can understand the choice.
I adored this book. So laugh-out-loud funny, especially for readers with a passing knowledge of Strictly Come Dancing - the UK version of Dancing with the Stars. The wonderful illustrations by Tony Ross in this book picture the typical boring granny; grey hair, thick glasses, mauve cardigan, burgundy slippers. I am not a grandmother and I do not wear mauve. Not often, anywa I adored this book. Not often, anyway. Even for non-Strictly fans, the laughter works on every level.
With a suitably and agreeably silly plot, vivid descriptions, and cringeworthy characters, it was completely un-put-downable. It does make it easy to read, although the sentence structure is not geared to an easy reader.
I think it will encourage boys to read it regardless. The development of the relationship between Gangsta Granny and grandson Ben is well done as Granny becomes a hero in Ben's eyes, and their caper is awfully fun, especially the surprise at the end. Ben's parents as a major disappointment in the novel: stereotypes, and who really watches ballroom dancing on TV? Aug 22, Aaron Campling rated it it was amazing. The book is about an eleven year old boy named Ben who is made to stay at his grandmother's house.
The initial relationship between Ben and his grandmother is one which I was able to relate to. By looking at her, you wouldn't be alone in thinking that his grandmother is just like any other; she has white curly hair, false teeth and used tissue stuffed up her sleeve. All she wants to do is play scrabble and eat cabbage soup.
However, there is something that Ben does not know about her. As it turn The book is about an eleven year old boy named Ben who is made to stay at his grandmother's house. As it turns out, his grandmother is not as boring as he first thought As the story progresses, the relationship between Ben and his grandmother begins to grow. The unbreakable bond between them effectively adds an emotional element to the story that a lot of children will be able to relate to.
The book has some very funny moments, describing his grandmother abseiling down the side of a hospital and doing yoga in her knickers, but also has a sad element allowing children to explore different emotions.
The changes in the relationship between Ben and his grandmother are extremely moving and show how a special bond can exist between children and their grandparents despite the age gap.
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