The Magic Finger: A Review of Roald Dahl's Classic Children's Story
Have you ever wished you had a magic finger that could zap anyone who annoys you? Well, that's exactly what the narrator of Roald Dahl's The Magic Finger has. But be careful what you wish for, because sometimes the magic finger can cause more trouble than it solves. In this article, we will review this classic children's story and tell you why it is a great book for kids of all ages.
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What is The Magic Finger about?
The Magic Finger is a short story written by Roald Dahl, one of the most famous and beloved children's authors of all time. It was first published in 1966 in the United States, with illustrations by William Pène du Bois. Later editions have been illustrated by Pat Marriott, Tony Ross, and Quentin Blake. The story has also been adapted into a TV special in 1990.
The main characters and the plot
The story is narrated by an unnamed eight-year-old girl who lives on a farm in the English countryside. She has a special power that she calls the magic finger. Whenever she gets angry at someone, she points her finger at them and something strange happens to them. For example, when her teacher scolds her for spelling "cat" wrong, she gives her whiskers and a tail.
The girl hates hunting and thinks it is cruel to kill animals for fun. She is especially angry at her neighbors, the Gregg family, who love to hunt ducks and deer. One day, she sees them returning from a hunt with a dead deer on their car. She shouts at them and points her magic finger at them. The next morning, the Greggs wake up to find that they have shrunk to the size of birds and have grown wings instead of arms. They also discover that four giant ducks have moved into their house and are holding their guns.
The Greggs have to learn how to survive as birds and face the dangers of being hunted by the ducks. They also have to deal with their own guilt and remorse for killing animals. They eventually realize that hunting is wrong and promise to never do it again. The magic finger then restores them to normal and they change their ways. They even change their name to Egg and become friends with the ducks.
The themes and messages of the story
The Magic Finger is a story that explores the topics of hunting, animal rights, empathy, justice, and forgiveness. It shows how hunting can be seen as a cruel and selfish act that causes suffering to innocent creatures. It also shows how people can change their perspective and behavior when they experience what it is like to be in the animals' shoes.
The story also teaches children about the importance of being careful with their anger and their words. It shows how anger can lead to harmful consequences for oneself and others. It also shows how words can have power and influence over people's lives. The girl's magic finger is a metaphor for how our words can affect others positively or negatively.
Finally, the story also teaches children about the value of forgiveness and compassion. It shows how the Greggs are able to forgive the girl for putting the magic finger on them, and how the girl is able to forgive them for hunting animals. It also shows how the Greggs are able to show kindness and respect to the ducks, who spare their lives in return.
Why is The Magic Finger a great book for children?
The Magic Finger is not only an entertaining and engaging story, but also a great book for children because of the following reasons:
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The imaginative and humorous writing style
Roald Dahl is known for his creative and witty writing style that appeals to children's sense of wonder and humor. He uses simple and expressive language that makes the story easy to read and understand. He also uses a lot of dialogue and description that bring the characters and the setting to life. He adds humor and irony to the story by making fun of the Greggs' situation and showing how ridiculous they look as birds. He also uses exaggeration and repetition to emphasize the effects of the magic finger.
The moral lessons and values
Roald Dahl is also known for his moral stories that teach children important lessons and values. He does not preach or lecture, but rather lets the story speak for itself. He shows the consequences of the characters' actions and choices, and how they learn from their mistakes. He also shows the positive qualities of the characters, such as courage, honesty, kindness, and loyalty. He encourages children to think critically and empathetically about the issues raised in the story, such as hunting, animal rights, anger, and forgiveness.
The illustrations and adaptations
The Magic Finger is also enhanced by the illustrations and adaptations that accompany the story. The illustrations by various artists add visual appeal and detail to the story, making it more attractive and memorable for children. The illustrations also reflect the mood and tone of the story, using colors, shapes, and expressions to convey the emotions and personalities of the characters. The adaptations, such as the TV special, also bring the story to a wider audience and offer different interpretations and perspectives on the story.
How to enjoy The Magic Finger with your kids
If you want to enjoy The Magic Finger with your kids, here are some tips and suggestions that you can try:
Tips for reading aloud and discussing the story
Reading aloud is a great way to share The Magic Finger with your kids. You can read it together as a family or as a bedtime story. You can also take turns reading different parts or characters. Here are some tips for reading aloud:
Use different voices and expressions for each character. For example, you can use a high-pitched voice for the girl, a gruff voice for Mr. Gregg, a quacking voice for the ducks, etc.
Use gestures and actions to accompany your reading. For example, you can point your finger when the girl uses her magic finger, flap your arms when the Greggs fly as birds, pretend to shoot when the ducks hunt them, etc.
Pause at key moments or cliffhangers to build suspense and interest. For example, you can pause before revealing what happens to the Greggs after they wake up as birds, or before telling what they promise to do at the end of the story.
Ask questions or make comments during or after reading to encourage discussion and comprehension. For example, you can ask your kids what they think of the characters, what they would do if they had a magic finger, what they learned from the story, etc.
Fun activities and projects related to the story
Besides reading aloud, you can also enjoy The Magic Finger with your kids by doing some fun activities and projects related to the story. Here are some ideas:
Make your own magic finger. You can use a glove, a stick, a marker, or anything else that you can point with. You can decorate it with glitter, stickers, feathers, etc. You can also make up your own rules for how it works and what it does.
Draw or paint your favorite scene or character from the story. You can use crayons, pencils, watercolors, or any other materials that you like. You can also write a caption or a dialogue for your drawing or painting.
Write a sequel or an alternative ending for the story. You can imagine what happens next after the story ends, or what would happen if something different happened in the story. For example, you can write about what happens when the girl goes back to school with her teacher who has whiskers and a tail, or what would happen if the girl pointed her magic finger at the ducks instead of the Greggs.
Act out or perform the story with your family or friends. You can use costumes, props, music, or sound effects to make it more fun and realistic. You can also record or film your performance and share it with others.
Make a bird feeder or a bird house for your backyard or balcony. You can use recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, or tin cans. You can also decorate it with paint, stickers, or ribbons. You can fill it with seeds, nuts, or fruits for the birds to enjoy.
Other books by Roald Dahl that you might like
If you enjoyed The Magic Finger, you might also like other books by Roald Dahl. He has written many other stories for children, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and more. You can find them in your local library or bookstore, or online. Here are some of the reasons why you might like them:
They are full of imagination and adventure. They take you to different places and worlds, where anything can happen.
They are full of humor and fun. They make you laugh and smile with their witty and clever words and situations.
They are full of magic and wonder. They show you the extraordinary and the miraculous in the ordinary and the mundane.
They are full of heart and warmth. They show you the goodness and the kindness in people and animals.
Conclusion
The Magic Finger is a classic children's story by Roald Dahl that tells the tale of a girl who has a magic finger that can change people's lives. It is a story that explores the topics of hunting, animal rights, empathy, justice, and forgiveness. It is also a story that showcases the imaginative and humorous writing style, the moral lessons and values, and the illustrations and adaptations of Roald Dahl. It is a great book for children of all ages to enjoy with their families and friends.
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have reviewed The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl and told you why it is a great book for children. We have covered the following points:
What is The Magic Finger about? The main characters and the plot, and the themes and messages of the story.
Why is The Magic Finger a great book for children? The imaginative and humorous writing style, the moral lessons and values, and the illustrations and adaptations of Roald Dahl.
How to enjoy The Magic Finger with your kids? Tips for reading aloud and discussing the story, fun activities and projects related to the story, and other books by Roald Dahl that you might like.
Call to action and recommendation
If you are looking for a fun and meaningful book to read with your kids, we highly recommend The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl. It is a short and easy read that will keep you entertained and engaged from start to finish. It will also make you think and feel about important issues that affect our world today. It will also inspire you to use your imagination and creativity to make your own magic happen.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of The Magic Finger today and enjoy it with your kids. You won't regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about The Magic Finger:
Q: How old is the girl who has the magic finger?
A: The girl who has the magic finger is eight years old. She does not reveal her name in the story.
Q: How does the girl get her magic finger?
A: The girl does not know how she gets her magic finger. She says that she was born with it and that it is part of her family's secret. She says that her father also has it but he never uses it because he thinks it is too dangerous.
Q: What happens when the girl uses her magic finger?
A: When the girl uses her magic finger, she points it at someone who makes her angry or does something wrong. Then something strange happens to that person. For example , when she points her finger at her teacher, she gives her whiskers and a tail. When she points her finger at the Greggs, she turns them into birds and makes them swap places with the ducks.
Q: Does the magic finger wear off or is it permanent?
A: The magic finger does not wear off by itself. It only goes away when the person who has been zapped by it does something to make the girl happy or to correct their mistake. For example, the teacher's whiskers and tail go away when she apologizes to the girl and praises her spelling. The Greggs' wings and size go away when they promise to never hunt again and become friends with the ducks.
Q: Is The Magic Finger based on a true story or is it fiction?
A: The Magic Finger is a fiction story. It is not based on a true story or real people. It is a product of Roald Dahl's imagination and creativity. However, some aspects of the story may be inspired by Roald Dahl's own life and experiences, such as his love for animals, his dislike for hunting, and his sense of humor.
Q: Where can I find more information about The Magic Finger and Roald Dahl?
A: You can find more information about The Magic Finger and Roald Dahl on the following websites:
[Roald Dahl Official Website]: This is the official website of Roald Dahl, where you can find out more about his life, his books, his characters, and his legacy.
[The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre]: This is a museum dedicated to Roald Dahl, located in Great Missenden, England, where he lived and wrote for 36 years. You can visit the museum and see his writing hut, his memorabilia, and his original manuscripts.
[The World of Roald Dahl]: This is a website that features quizzes, games, videos, and activities related to Roald Dahl's books and characters.
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