Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car

This book is perfect for your summer Escape into pure Fantasy--KID LITE enough to fly!!! This is a very special car--one of a kind both in chassis and heart--not to mention that it actually thinks, has feelings and gives orders to the driver when necessary. Yet totally unselfish--only with the owner's best interests in mind.
This almost-defunct car which barely missed the wrecker yard shows its gratitude to the Pott family many times over, for she possesses Super-Mechanical powers which no one suspects. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (so named because of her unique starting up sounds) can even fly (just call her Aerocar) and hover over water with ease. Plus she knows when to give instructions (pull down, push up) to the driver, who admits that even he does not know what all the buttons on the dash do. When ignored, she flashes hints like "Idiot!", ensuring immediate results and prompt obedience. She even has built-in radar to track missing persons (she cares about).
One day Professor Caractacus (Crackpot) Pott finally invents something clever--a candy whistle--which he sells for enough British pounds to buy his dream car. After spending most of the summer tinkering and refurbishing the rare Panther, he unveils the automotive marvel to his adoring family: trembly Mrs. Pott (Mimsie) and the twins, Jeremy and Jemima. Chitty takes charge of their summer adventures from then on, obligingly transporting them to their own private beach when the coastal road is gridlocked--a distant sandbar no less. Barely escaping the encroaching tide, the car whisks them across the Channel to France, where they discover a cave which has mysterious warnings to would-be explorers. What secrets lie buried beneath the chalky cliffs? Possibly treasure?
This action-packed fantasy reads swiftly; chidlren will enjoy the way the twins outwit the badguys. Amidst all the humor and high-jinks Fleming offers pieces of scientific information gleaned during his career. He includes advice about the need for flotation de! vices in boats and other safety suggestions, but he slips them in slyly, like a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. A cute story (though my paperback version had disappointing b/w sketches) which will entertain elementary kids--a great summer read. Honk if you like kid and car heroism!

I must confess that I had never actually read this book before a few weeks ago. I've read a Bond book or two, and hadn't realized Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was written by Ian Fleming. He did a great job creating an exciting adventure for kids, and my children loved it. We stayed up late a few nights just to see what happened next (the book and movie are a bit different, and pleasantly so).
I've read several complaints about the illustrations in other reviews. While the new illustrations by Joe Berger are more comic book-esque, I felt they were well done. Some are a bit silly, they're obviously geared towards children, and I think they added to the story.
I wish Fleming had written more children's books - my family greatly enjoyed this one!

My previous experience with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was limited to the older Disney film, so it was rather fun to read the story the movie was (loosely) based on. The story details the adventures of the Pott family when they purchase an old car, who with a bit of love and a lot of elbow grease, turns out to be rather extraordinary. The premise is rather old-fashioned, as is the language. The story seems a bit simple, but sweet, as good triumphs in the end. Overall, if you have a child around 8-12, and they enjoy old-time stories, they'll probably enjoy this one. I'm not sure it's truly a classic as far as content, but it's a light, fun read.

Most kids today will likely have been brought up with the Disneyfied movie rather than the original story. That's not a bad thing - the musical was enjoyable itself and the addition of Scrumptous, Candy Factory, Quirky Grandfather, and Vulgaria arc in the movie was great for a visual medium.

This book, however, does have a different plot - one a bit less whimsical (and musical!) but still magical. The plot has the racecar, crashed and then rebuilt by Caratacus, and unlike the movie, the kids are the stars along with the professor and his wife. They outwit bad guys in France while Chitty is the hero who saves the family several times with his own brand of 'GenII" magic. Adventures are had along the way.

This book will also be compared to the original edition which had very good 1960s drawings. The drawings in this volume look more updated for a modern crowd. They are different than the original - simpler and more accessible for the kids. Adults may have nostalgic pains for the original however (as I admit I do for the original Wizard of Oz series illustrations).

In all, a great book for the kids! Adults will probably want to get a used copy of the original.

This is one of Ian Flemings best stories only since it's written for kids few know about it. All it really needed was a set of good illustrations and good layout to make it a highly accessible children's book.

The story is takes place around 1910 so it requires a little explanation for kids since it uses terms like motorcar. It's a very easy story to get caught up in along with the kids just to see how the Potts family fares. Also, there is a lot of fun with mechanics and a toymaker.

Shameful confession: I learned a few things while reading this book. First, I didn't know Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a car. I always assumed it was more of an expression. Secondly, I didn't know that James Bond had books about him. (shaking my head in shame) Thirdly, I learned that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was the only children's book that Ian Fleming wrote, in addition to the James Bond books.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a magical car that uses her subtle abilities to help the Pott family not only go on adventures, but escape from dangerous criminals. She's pretty grateful they saved her from being demolished, after all. She can even fly! All of her abilities depend on the help of the quirky Pott family, so it's a good thing they are up for listening to Chitty's "advice" and looking for adventures.

This reprinted version has a generous amount of fun, black and white pictures throughout. I enjoyed the play with the pictures, also. For example on one two page spread where a cave is part of the story, the picture forms the shape of a cave over the top and sides of the pages.

This was an entertaining, clean read for both young readers and adults to enjoy!

I remember the 1968 movie based on this novel fondly, but had never picked up the novel itself until just the other day. I was surprised at how different the book is. Although Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang herself is very similar in both, the plot of the story is much different. I enjoyed this simple little story, with Fleming's humorous asides, very much. Those asides reminded me of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" books I have read and I would be interested in learning if Lemony Snicket drew from Fleming's story style for his own series. This is a fun, quick story that most kids will enjoy. I do, however, fear that the admittedly crude illustrations in my original edition would not be as popular with modern children.

This is the original story republished with new artwork. I haven't the faintest idea why someone felt the need to rework the original drawings -- maybe kids just aren't interested in books that have 'old' drawings in them these days -- but these new drawings don't particularly add to the narrative. As another reviewer pointed out, these drawings are much more akin to a graphic novel in some places but not throughout. Frankly, if your child isn't interested in reading this old classic from the rundown of the plot given these new pictures aren't going to make the difference as there really aren't that many of the interspersed throughout the book. This is a fun adventure, a wild ride with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that, yes, is a bit out there and fantastic but part of the fun of reading is letting your imagination run wild . . . imagine all the adventures this story can inspire in a child's imagination with a car that does so much!

I loved this book. I remember reading Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a child, and I loved it then. I'd forgotten a lot of the book, but after reading it again I know it will definitely be a book I keep for my child. The illustrations are so cute, and of course the story itself is classic. Most of you probably remember the story from the Dick Van Dyke movie by the same name. This edition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a book you and your child will cherish for years to come.

Some books are classics and this is one of those. Both young and old can settle in and enjoy the quick read...or slightly longer if reading with kids.

I liked how it had some type of picture even if small on most pages. This helps greatly when in that transition from picture to chapter books.

Chapters are a good size for reading to kids at bedtime or whenever you have 15 to 30 minutes.

So take a trip with the classic car...

Personally, I've always thought that CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is what happened when James Bond quit MI-whatever, married Moneypenny, and started living a real life. It's smarter, funnier, and much more engaging than any of the Bond novels, and moves much along in a much brisker fashion than the rather bloated film version. Commander Potts invents edible records, square potatos, and whistling sourballs, and with the proceeds of the latter, buys the wreckage of an old race-car and puts together a vehicle that does stuff that even Q hadn't thought of. While on a weekend jaunt, Potts and his family run afoul of the international gangster Joe The Monster and get involved in quite an adventure. There's even a great recipe for fudge at the back of the book. What else could you ask for?

The story of Caractacus Pott, his family, and that wonderful magical car is one of the best children's stories you will ever read. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, tells a fantastic story about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the magical flying car that can even turn into a boat! It's a delightful story, filled with crooks and gangsters, and you won't be sorry you bought this fantastic little book. Should be added to every child's bookshelf. Just delightful! The book is so much better than the movie, eliminating that silly Vulgaria story. If you want to read the story Ian Fleming intended, you'll have to buy the book. You won't be sorry.

At the risk of sounding like a thesaurus, this story is appealing, charming, engaging and downright irresistible to both children and adults. The book is wonderfully English, full of humour and adventure. This new edition is attractive, with several black and white illustrations and some clever typography. I'm just sad that Ian Fleming never got the chance to write more of the magical car's adventures.

It was disappointing and surprising when I finished this book and didn't like it. I genuinely tried to set aside my knowledge and love of the movie, which was successful, but even that didn't help. It seems silly to say a book about a flying car was over the top, but it's the truth. The situations were too silly to be seen as realistic, and yet too grounded in reality to overlook their silliness.

That being said, it is easy to see how some children (especially boys) would find this book engrossing. The adventure and thrilling cliff-hanger chapter endings do make for a fast pace. However, those who have seen the movies may not want to cope with the differences.

for some reason dad never bought this for me back in 1968 when the film was released back than its been so long ago i cant remember what month of the year this film was released same as 1967s rex harrisons doctor dolittle 1967. love bothe of them

I've never watched the movie version. My daughter really enjoyed me reading to book to her. She would listen intensely and would out laugh at times. It made me giggle too. It's a fun adventurous book with humor and fun. Not much illustration on this book. If you're looking for a book with lots of illustrations and all, this aint it. It's a paperback.

My daughter danced to "Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang" in ballet this year and of course had not seen the movie or read the books so I thought this to be the perfect end-of school reward. The kids loved it and it became the bedtime chapter book classic right off the bat! We enjoyed reading it to them as it was one of the movies I remember fondly as a child.

My children (7 and 5) watched the movie, prior to the book, embracing it with great delight. After a few months passed, I introduced them to the audio book. My son typically enjoys audio books, as long as he's strapped down on a car ride. However, faced with many other "active" options, once back home, he rarely asks to continue listening to many audio books. This one was the exception. Both my children LOVED it. And, when I asked which was better, the book or the movie, my 7 year old boy heartily replied, "The book!"

This book will send your whole family on a great fantasy in a car. We love the movies. My family took turns reading the story and also adding more of their own story to make it a fun time at out camp out. This book brings back childhood memories and all kids and families will enjoy. Fast read and really enjoyed reading this book

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was my favorite movie during early childhood. I was pleasantly surprised that the book tells a different story than the movie, although it conveys the same sense of adventure. Ian Fleming wrote "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in a different style than more current children's literature, something that may bring a change of pace to a young audience. I don't think the crude illustrations by Burningham would be received in the same manner.

This is a beautiful story. My granddaughter loved reading it with us as part of her bed routine.

the illustrations are simple yet rich.
they add to the telling of the story let leave lots to a child's imagination.

this is a timeless classic to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Even kids already familiar with the movie will love this classic novel. Adults will get a kick out of some nods to ideas that would become the seeds of Fleming's James Bond lore. My 10-year-old found the reading level to be just fine and also really enjoyed the illustrations.

This book is amazing! Unlike the dark and strange screenplay, every sentence of the book is fresh and upbeat, and the storyline is simple, exciting, wholesome, and a picture of a fantastic fun-loving family. It is a classic good guy-bad guy story, with all the gadgets and child resourcefulness that makes kids excited to read more. It is simple to understand, the characters are transparent and consistent from beginning to end. There is never a dull moment and the end leaves you happy and satisfied. I read it aloud to my three-year-old, and was able to keep his attention as well as get into the story myself!

It is a charming and delightful story that you will love to read to your children. I read this book to my 6 year old. She loved it!! We both wish we could find more books about this wonderful family and car.