Product Description

George's grandma is a grizzly, grumpy, selfish old woman with pale brown teeth and a small puckered-up mouth like a dog's bottom. Four times a day she takes a large spoonful of thick brown medicine, but it doesn't seem to do her any good. She's always just as horrid after she's taken it as she was before. So when George is left alone to look after her one morning, it's just the chance he needs...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1444319 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In a typically wicked Dahl outing, a lad named George does away with his nasty grandmother by giving her a concoction that he brews from a mixture that includes shampoo, shaving cream and floor polish. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Richard E. Grant performs this reading of Roald Dahl's tale (Puffin, pap. 1998) with an appropriately British accent. Fully-voiced, the production is expressive and pleasing, making a great story an even better read-aloud. As George seeks a cure for his grandmother's grumpiness, his creative elixir produces surprising results. Listeners will appreciate the humor, suspense, and resolution in this silly plot so typical of Dahl's writing. Appropriate for listening centers, reading classes, literature studies and general circulation, the length and reading level of this title will be appreciated by those who work with reluctant readers. Consider this purchase essential for libraries with audio collections.
Kirsten Martindale, Buford Academy, GA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
On Saturday morning George is stuck with looking after his ancient, incredibly mean grandmother. As the old woman alternately insults and scares him, George decides to give her a new kind of medicine. Using every liquid, powder, and pill he can find, George makes a concoction destined to change the family and several hens. Richard E. Grant fluidly changes from a good-natured boy pushed too far to the nastiest old lady imaginable to a hyperactive father with a brogue to a sensible mother wanting only peace and quiet. The written story is fun. The story as performed by Grant is marvelous. J.M.P. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

George's Marvellous Medicine, Audiocassette
I listened to this cassette while driving my 7 year old son to school, which is about a 20 minute drive each way. We both were drawn into the plot immediately and stayed with it as it grew, and grew. My son looked forward to hearing the next installment as we drove. We laughed and groaned all through the book. Richard Grant, who read the story, was wonderful, giving voices to the various characters. I highly recommend it for any car trip.

authors study
We like George's Marvelous Medicine because, George makes a medicine for his grandmother because her other medicine did not work. Also because, how creative he was. He puts in shaving cream, animal pills, and other stuff like that. He gives it to his grandmother and .... Oh you do not want to know what happans nects, but if you do want to know read the book and find out.

Horrible Role Models
George's Marvelous Medicine is full of characters who lack character. George is mistreated by his grandmother, so he resorts to doing something mean to get back at her. When George's parents get home his father is overcome by greed and helps George recreate the medicine. They fail and make a shrinking potion instead. George's father encourages the grandmother to steal and drink it. The obvious theme is revenge. I do not believe that George intended for his grandmother to vanish completely, but he certainly wasn't sorry for what he did and neither were his parents.

Not one person ever demonstrates the qualities we want our children to possess. My children won't be reading the book.