Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl

Title: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Author: Roald Dahl

Read by: Douglas Hodge
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Length: Approximately 3.5 hours (3 CDs)
Source: Penguin Audio Review Copy – Thank-you!

After listening to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this past summer, both my 7 and 5 year old sons were very excited to start Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.  It starts right where Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ended.  Charlie, his entire family, and Willy Wonka are flying through the sky in a glass elevator when they blast into space and discover the world’s first space hotel.  The space hotel is ready to open soon, but Charlie and his crew discover that there are vermicious knids already living in the hotel.   Will Charlie, Willy Wonka, and his family make it safely back to earth?

My seven year old and five year old sons (and three year old daughter) had mixed reactions to this audiobook.  My seven year old son loved it and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.  My five-year old son and three year old daughter were freaked out by the vermicious knids.  We had to turn it off while traveling at night, but luckily they would listen to it by day with convincing by my husband, Kile, and me.  Douglas Hodge as the narrator was enthusiastic and had a fantastic English accent.  He also narrated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  The audiobook also featured numerous sound effects and great music that definitely added to the entire audiobook experience. 

Overall, my family enjoyed this audiobook, although I would say it works best for slightly older kids (perhaps 7 and older) because of the intense sequences that occur out in space.