Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys--the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history...

As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Good for a beginner and someone on a short trip!, 30 Sep 2008
Firstly I'd like to say that I have studied Mandarin before and I bought this because I have recently started studying again, so a lot of what is covered in the earlier stages of this book I already knew.
However that takes nothing away from this book, for a complete beginner this book is worth twice what you pay for it!
The way it's laid out is good, the illustrations make it fun to read, it gives you characters and PinYin from the start which is essential, the CD is useful and the topics covered are also great for building your "Chinese Language Foundations".

My one criticism is that it doesn't cover degree or school subjects and that the vocabularly is still a little thin, sure you could probably go to China for a short stay and knowing all the vocab in this book would probably get you through. But if you're planning on going there for longer, for studying, immigrating or business then this should only be used as a quick start accompanied by other books. In saying that however my sister (who has been studying Mandarin for 7years) learnt one or two words from this book.

To round off, this book is exactly what it says in the tin really, an easy-peasy book that teachers you the Chinese you need to be a solid beginner and advance into intermediate territory.


does exactly what it says, 29 Jul 2008
I thought learning even basic chinese would take ages but i learnt the majority of this book in only a couple of weeks( doing an hour a day mind you). This is not a depreciation of the book, far from it, it covered all the basic things you need to get started, and you could get by on holiday without having to speak english once with this. Easy Peasy chinese is laid out perfectly to stop you feeling intimidated by all the new words, and the cd helps you get pronounciation perfect. It is also full of intresting culture facts about china, and also helps you learn characters. I would recommend this to everyone who is starting brand new with chinese, as it is the best book I have seen yet.

easy peasy chinesey, 29 Oct 2007
"You must be really brave to start learning Chinese"...is the comment I usually get when i tell people I'm learning Chinese. This book makes it not exactly easy but at least possible. Colourful and attractive, the book explains why Chinese is how it is. The CD helps master the tones and sounds. There is lots of insight into Chinese culture like the horoscopes. Ideal for beginners.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Good for a beginner and someone on a short trip!, 30 Sep 2008
Firstly I'd like to say that I have studied Mandarin before and I bought this because I have recently started studying again, so a lot of what is covered in the earlier stages of this book I already knew.
However that takes nothing away from this book, for a complete beginner this book is worth twice what you pay for it!
The way it's laid out is good, the illustrations make it fun to read, it gives you characters and PinYin from the start which is essential, the CD is useful and the topics covered are also great for building your "Chinese Language Foundations".

My one criticism is that it doesn't cover degree or school subjects and that the vocabularly is still a little thin, sure you could probably go to China for a short stay and knowing all the vocab in this book would probably get you through. But if you're planning on going there for longer, for studying, immigrating or business then this should only be used as a quick start accompanied by other books. In saying that however my sister (who has been studying Mandarin for 7years) learnt one or two words from this book.

To round off, this book is exactly what it says in the tin really, an easy-peasy book that teachers you the Chinese you need to be a solid beginner and advance into intermediate territory.


does exactly what it says, 29 Jul 2008
I thought learning even basic chinese would take ages but i learnt the majority of this book in only a couple of weeks( doing an hour a day mind you). This is not a depreciation of the book, far from it, it covered all the basic things you need to get started, and you could get by on holiday without having to speak english once with this. Easy Peasy chinese is laid out perfectly to stop you feeling intimidated by all the new words, and the cd helps you get pronounciation perfect. It is also full of intresting culture facts about china, and also helps you learn characters. I would recommend this to everyone who is starting brand new with chinese, as it is the best book I have seen yet.

easy peasy chinesey, 29 Oct 2007
"You must be really brave to start learning Chinese"...is the comment I usually get when i tell people I'm learning Chinese. This book makes it not exactly easy but at least possible. Colourful and attractive, the book explains why Chinese is how it is. The CD helps master the tones and sounds. There is lots of insight into Chinese culture like the horoscopes. Ideal for beginners.

A gorgoeus treat for children, 18 May 2008
This book is just perfect for toddlers. "Puff the Magic Dragon" song needs no introduction - but the illustrations are just so beautiful that it brings the whole song to life and it's so magical, it almost brings a tear to my eye reading it. The new version on the CD is so tranquil and my 2-yr old daughter asks for it every night (my wife loves it too!)

Beautiful, 05 Jan 2008
This is a wonderful book capturing the imagination of both young and old. For those of us who grew up with this it is full of nostalgia. For those newcomers like my daughters it is a song which is repeated over and over again. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a lot to explore on each page. My only criticism is that the lyrics have been changed to incorporate little girls as well as little boys. In my opinion this unnecessary and takes away a part of the oroginal story. Otherwise this is a great purchase for youngsters and oldies alike.

A slightly saccharine version of the beautiful original, 22 Nov 2007
I loved Puff as a child. It brought tears to my eyes even remembering the song when I placed the order for this book for my four year-old son. However, I was somewhat disappointed by both the book and the CD when they arrived.

This is a large hardback book which I feel doesn't really warrant the size and space. There are 2 to 4 lines of the original song written and illustrated on each double page. Bearing in mind that there is a lot of repetition of the chorus, this makes the book seem quite barren. The emptiness is not helped by the illustrations which seem quite plain with a limited colour palate.

My main complaint is with the changes to the poem. Maybe the writer has modified it because he had a daughter and wanted to involve girls in the story. It just comes over as appalling, unnecessary political correctness. The line:
"A dragon lives forever but not so little boys"
has morphed into
"A dragon lives forever but not so little girls and boys"
It scans awfully. Listening to the CD was painful at this point.

There is also the implication in the last two drawings that a little girl comes along and befriends Puff who is then happy again. The tragedy of the song was its strength and appeal, this addition makes it quite mediocre. I don't see that all children's stories have to have a happy ending. Why was the author so terrified of letting children learn about feelings of loss and sadness in the safe, experimental world of fiction?

Aside from my disappointment with the book, my son was not overly impressed. He did start to empathise with Puff when his friend didn't come back. However, as soon as the happy ending kicked in he simply began asking which story we were having next. I can't help but wonder if the unadulterated original would have been more satisfying for him.

I've given the book 4 stars mainly because the original song was lovely. Providing I try to ignore the awkward new line and the saccharine happy ending I can still enjoy Puff. However, I feel that I am enjoying the song/poem in spite of the book rather than because of it.



Sniff, 16 Nov 2007
Have a hankie handy if you're coming to this book as a new(ish) parent and remember it fondly from your own childhood. Be prepared to cry hot tears of grief for lost youth and the overwhelming finality of Puff slipping sadly into his cave. But all is not lost; Little Jackie Paper lives on thro' his own daughter and her discovery of Puff (hope I'm not giving too much away - it's a short story), cleverly embellished at the end by illustration only. And the illustrations are some of the most original I've seen. The song remains hopelessly sad. Poignantly, Peter Yarrow is accompanied in this new recording by his own daughter. It all fits together perfectly. Love it to bits. All good children (and even the naughty ones) deserve a copy of this book and cd.

A charming story and a classic song, 13 Sep 2007
The illustrations are so charming. My reception class joined in with the chorus as I read and they loved the dragon and were pleased when he found a new play mate. They enjoyed the song so much they asked for it to be played again. They then hummed the tune during the afternoon. My colleague and I felt nostalgic as we were teenagers when the song was first released. A super book for grandparents as well as chidren.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Good for a beginner and someone on a short trip!, 30 Sep 2008
Firstly I'd like to say that I have studied Mandarin before and I bought this because I have recently started studying again, so a lot of what is covered in the earlier stages of this book I already knew.
However that takes nothing away from this book, for a complete beginner this book is worth twice what you pay for it!
The way it's laid out is good, the illustrations make it fun to read, it gives you characters and PinYin from the start which is essential, the CD is useful and the topics covered are also great for building your "Chinese Language Foundations".

My one criticism is that it doesn't cover degree or school subjects and that the vocabularly is still a little thin, sure you could probably go to China for a short stay and knowing all the vocab in this book would probably get you through. But if you're planning on going there for longer, for studying, immigrating or business then this should only be used as a quick start accompanied by other books. In saying that however my sister (who has been studying Mandarin for 7years) learnt one or two words from this book.

To round off, this book is exactly what it says in the tin really, an easy-peasy book that teachers you the Chinese you need to be a solid beginner and advance into intermediate territory.


does exactly what it says, 29 Jul 2008
I thought learning even basic chinese would take ages but i learnt the majority of this book in only a couple of weeks( doing an hour a day mind you). This is not a depreciation of the book, far from it, it covered all the basic things you need to get started, and you could get by on holiday without having to speak english once with this. Easy Peasy chinese is laid out perfectly to stop you feeling intimidated by all the new words, and the cd helps you get pronounciation perfect. It is also full of intresting culture facts about china, and also helps you learn characters. I would recommend this to everyone who is starting brand new with chinese, as it is the best book I have seen yet.

easy peasy chinesey, 29 Oct 2007
"You must be really brave to start learning Chinese"...is the comment I usually get when i tell people I'm learning Chinese. This book makes it not exactly easy but at least possible. Colourful and attractive, the book explains why Chinese is how it is. The CD helps master the tones and sounds. There is lots of insight into Chinese culture like the horoscopes. Ideal for beginners.

A gorgoeus treat for children, 18 May 2008
This book is just perfect for toddlers. "Puff the Magic Dragon" song needs no introduction - but the illustrations are just so beautiful that it brings the whole song to life and it's so magical, it almost brings a tear to my eye reading it. The new version on the CD is so tranquil and my 2-yr old daughter asks for it every night (my wife loves it too!)

Beautiful, 05 Jan 2008
This is a wonderful book capturing the imagination of both young and old. For those of us who grew up with this it is full of nostalgia. For those newcomers like my daughters it is a song which is repeated over and over again. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a lot to explore on each page. My only criticism is that the lyrics have been changed to incorporate little girls as well as little boys. In my opinion this unnecessary and takes away a part of the oroginal story. Otherwise this is a great purchase for youngsters and oldies alike.

A slightly saccharine version of the beautiful original, 22 Nov 2007
I loved Puff as a child. It brought tears to my eyes even remembering the song when I placed the order for this book for my four year-old son. However, I was somewhat disappointed by both the book and the CD when they arrived.

This is a large hardback book which I feel doesn't really warrant the size and space. There are 2 to 4 lines of the original song written and illustrated on each double page. Bearing in mind that there is a lot of repetition of the chorus, this makes the book seem quite barren. The emptiness is not helped by the illustrations which seem quite plain with a limited colour palate.

My main complaint is with the changes to the poem. Maybe the writer has modified it because he had a daughter and wanted to involve girls in the story. It just comes over as appalling, unnecessary political correctness. The line:
"A dragon lives forever but not so little boys"
has morphed into
"A dragon lives forever but not so little girls and boys"
It scans awfully. Listening to the CD was painful at this point.

There is also the implication in the last two drawings that a little girl comes along and befriends Puff who is then happy again. The tragedy of the song was its strength and appeal, this addition makes it quite mediocre. I don't see that all children's stories have to have a happy ending. Why was the author so terrified of letting children learn about feelings of loss and sadness in the safe, experimental world of fiction?

Aside from my disappointment with the book, my son was not overly impressed. He did start to empathise with Puff when his friend didn't come back. However, as soon as the happy ending kicked in he simply began asking which story we were having next. I can't help but wonder if the unadulterated original would have been more satisfying for him.

I've given the book 4 stars mainly because the original song was lovely. Providing I try to ignore the awkward new line and the saccharine happy ending I can still enjoy Puff. However, I feel that I am enjoying the song/poem in spite of the book rather than because of it.



Sniff, 16 Nov 2007
Have a hankie handy if you're coming to this book as a new(ish) parent and remember it fondly from your own childhood. Be prepared to cry hot tears of grief for lost youth and the overwhelming finality of Puff slipping sadly into his cave. But all is not lost; Little Jackie Paper lives on thro' his own daughter and her discovery of Puff (hope I'm not giving too much away - it's a short story), cleverly embellished at the end by illustration only. And the illustrations are some of the most original I've seen. The song remains hopelessly sad. Poignantly, Peter Yarrow is accompanied in this new recording by his own daughter. It all fits together perfectly. Love it to bits. All good children (and even the naughty ones) deserve a copy of this book and cd.

A charming story and a classic song, 13 Sep 2007
The illustrations are so charming. My reception class joined in with the chorus as I read and they loved the dragon and were pleased when he found a new play mate. They enjoyed the song so much they asked for it to be played again. They then hummed the tune during the afternoon. My colleague and I felt nostalgic as we were teenagers when the song was first released. A super book for grandparents as well as chidren.

A delight!, 28 Nov 2007
Roald Dahl's voice is a delight. A refreshing change from the modern obsession for sound effects and other over-the-top techniques that, apparently, are added to capture a child's attention.

My two children listen to Dahl's audio CDs and read his books constantly. They enjoy many other styles of reading and story telling but I do believe Dahl has a special place in their hearts - and mine!

Dull, 27 Feb 2005
Its the pure tone of RD's voice that sends my daughter asleep! I don't think he reads it like it ought to be read to be honest. It is after all aimed at children, and so should be adapted for such an audience. It doesn't make me any less of a RD fan, I adore his work!

Stick to writing Roald!, 02 Jul 2004
Features the author doing a very bland reading job with no background music or whimsical sound effects. Only practical use I have found for it is to use it as an alternative method for making my 6 year old fall asleep.

All 4 stories, 24 Aug 2003
This CD set is fantastic value. If you are reading this you are obviously an RD fan and what makes these CD's so special is that they are read by the author. Not only is Roald Dahl one of the best authors of all time but he has the great ability to tell the story exactly as it was meant to be read. My 2 children [aged 8&6] adore this at bedtime or on a long journey. All the stories appeal to both boys, girls and parents. We all know the tales, but they are a pleasure to listen to. You will not regret this GREAT buy!

The Final Chapter
The pubdate of the seventh and final Harry Potter audio book has been announced, and the rumours are already circulating - what are the Deathly Hallows? Who will make it through to the end? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows CD Set tells the story of Harry's final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and this is set to be the best audio book out of the series! .

Visit the Harry Potter Store
Our Harry Potter Store features all things Harry, including books, audio CDs and cassettes, DVDs, toys and more.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Good for a beginner and someone on a short trip!, 30 Sep 2008
Firstly I'd like to say that I have studied Mandarin before and I bought this because I have recently started studying again, so a lot of what is covered in the earlier stages of this book I already knew.
However that takes nothing away from this book, for a complete beginner this book is worth twice what you pay for it!
The way it's laid out is good, the illustrations make it fun to read, it gives you characters and PinYin from the start which is essential, the CD is useful and the topics covered are also great for building your "Chinese Language Foundations".

My one criticism is that it doesn't cover degree or school subjects and that the vocabularly is still a little thin, sure you could probably go to China for a short stay and knowing all the vocab in this book would probably get you through. But if you're planning on going there for longer, for studying, immigrating or business then this should only be used as a quick start accompanied by other books. In saying that however my sister (who has been studying Mandarin for 7years) learnt one or two words from this book.

To round off, this book is exactly what it says in the tin really, an easy-peasy book that teachers you the Chinese you need to be a solid beginner and advance into intermediate territory.


does exactly what it says, 29 Jul 2008
I thought learning even basic chinese would take ages but i learnt the majority of this book in only a couple of weeks( doing an hour a day mind you). This is not a depreciation of the book, far from it, it covered all the basic things you need to get started, and you could get by on holiday without having to speak english once with this. Easy Peasy chinese is laid out perfectly to stop you feeling intimidated by all the new words, and the cd helps you get pronounciation perfect. It is also full of intresting culture facts about china, and also helps you learn characters. I would recommend this to everyone who is starting brand new with chinese, as it is the best book I have seen yet.

easy peasy chinesey, 29 Oct 2007
"You must be really brave to start learning Chinese"...is the comment I usually get when i tell people I'm learning Chinese. This book makes it not exactly easy but at least possible. Colourful and attractive, the book explains why Chinese is how it is. The CD helps master the tones and sounds. There is lots of insight into Chinese culture like the horoscopes. Ideal for beginners.

A gorgoeus treat for children, 18 May 2008
This book is just perfect for toddlers. "Puff the Magic Dragon" song needs no introduction - but the illustrations are just so beautiful that it brings the whole song to life and it's so magical, it almost brings a tear to my eye reading it. The new version on the CD is so tranquil and my 2-yr old daughter asks for it every night (my wife loves it too!)

Beautiful, 05 Jan 2008
This is a wonderful book capturing the imagination of both young and old. For those of us who grew up with this it is full of nostalgia. For those newcomers like my daughters it is a song which is repeated over and over again. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a lot to explore on each page. My only criticism is that the lyrics have been changed to incorporate little girls as well as little boys. In my opinion this unnecessary and takes away a part of the oroginal story. Otherwise this is a great purchase for youngsters and oldies alike.

A slightly saccharine version of the beautiful original, 22 Nov 2007
I loved Puff as a child. It brought tears to my eyes even remembering the song when I placed the order for this book for my four year-old son. However, I was somewhat disappointed by both the book and the CD when they arrived.

This is a large hardback book which I feel doesn't really warrant the size and space. There are 2 to 4 lines of the original song written and illustrated on each double page. Bearing in mind that there is a lot of repetition of the chorus, this makes the book seem quite barren. The emptiness is not helped by the illustrations which seem quite plain with a limited colour palate.

My main complaint is with the changes to the poem. Maybe the writer has modified it because he had a daughter and wanted to involve girls in the story. It just comes over as appalling, unnecessary political correctness. The line:
"A dragon lives forever but not so little boys"
has morphed into
"A dragon lives forever but not so little girls and boys"
It scans awfully. Listening to the CD was painful at this point.

There is also the implication in the last two drawings that a little girl comes along and befriends Puff who is then happy again. The tragedy of the song was its strength and appeal, this addition makes it quite mediocre. I don't see that all children's stories have to have a happy ending. Why was the author so terrified of letting children learn about feelings of loss and sadness in the safe, experimental world of fiction?

Aside from my disappointment with the book, my son was not overly impressed. He did start to empathise with Puff when his friend didn't come back. However, as soon as the happy ending kicked in he simply began asking which story we were having next. I can't help but wonder if the unadulterated original would have been more satisfying for him.

I've given the book 4 stars mainly because the original song was lovely. Providing I try to ignore the awkward new line and the saccharine happy ending I can still enjoy Puff. However, I feel that I am enjoying the song/poem in spite of the book rather than because of it.



Sniff, 16 Nov 2007
Have a hankie handy if you're coming to this book as a new(ish) parent and remember it fondly from your own childhood. Be prepared to cry hot tears of grief for lost youth and the overwhelming finality of Puff slipping sadly into his cave. But all is not lost; Little Jackie Paper lives on thro' his own daughter and her discovery of Puff (hope I'm not giving too much away - it's a short story), cleverly embellished at the end by illustration only. And the illustrations are some of the most original I've seen. The song remains hopelessly sad. Poignantly, Peter Yarrow is accompanied in this new recording by his own daughter. It all fits together perfectly. Love it to bits. All good children (and even the naughty ones) deserve a copy of this book and cd.

A charming story and a classic song, 13 Sep 2007
The illustrations are so charming. My reception class joined in with the chorus as I read and they loved the dragon and were pleased when he found a new play mate. They enjoyed the song so much they asked for it to be played again. They then hummed the tune during the afternoon. My colleague and I felt nostalgic as we were teenagers when the song was first released. A super book for grandparents as well as chidren.

A delight!, 28 Nov 2007
Roald Dahl's voice is a delight. A refreshing change from the modern obsession for sound effects and other over-the-top techniques that, apparently, are added to capture a child's attention.

My two children listen to Dahl's audio CDs and read his books constantly. They enjoy many other styles of reading and story telling but I do believe Dahl has a special place in their hearts - and mine!

Dull, 27 Feb 2005
Its the pure tone of RD's voice that sends my daughter asleep! I don't think he reads it like it ought to be read to be honest. It is after all aimed at children, and so should be adapted for such an audience. It doesn't make me any less of a RD fan, I adore his work!

Stick to writing Roald!, 02 Jul 2004
Features the author doing a very bland reading job with no background music or whimsical sound effects. Only practical use I have found for it is to use it as an alternative method for making my 6 year old fall asleep.

All 4 stories, 24 Aug 2003
This CD set is fantastic value. If you are reading this you are obviously an RD fan and what makes these CD's so special is that they are read by the author. Not only is Roald Dahl one of the best authors of all time but he has the great ability to tell the story exactly as it was meant to be read. My 2 children [aged 8&6] adore this at bedtime or on a long journey. All the stories appeal to both boys, girls and parents. We all know the tales, but they are a pleasure to listen to. You will not regret this GREAT buy!

Brill but a let down, 07 Oct 2008
Don't get me wrong this was a brillaint book but it was a let down at the end. Myself and my fiance thought it would of had a better ending to the series that it had I was "eh why is it ended here that's stupid" she could of left us all hanging on and then released a new book saying all that and going into a bit more detailk than she did after all that would of kept everyone on the edge of their seats and she would of been able to rethink the ending because some of the ending could have been forseen much earlier in the series as myself and my fiance had guessed most of it was going to happen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 17 Sep 2008
Like children, parents and grandparents, all over the world, I am a cult member. Harry Potter's final saga " Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" had been set upon the world. I dare say that few would be disappointed. Harry's final adventure is a remarkable journey into the world of fantasy. The wedding of Fleur and Bill as it ends in chaos. The escape of our trio from the death eaters and that is only the beginning. The many subsequent adventures, ending with the final battle at Hogwarts and the defeat of Voldamort by Harry. An adventure froth with danger, fears, laughter, doubts and narrow excapes will have its readers on the edge of their seat. I was!

Not convinced, Sorry, 10 Sep 2008
i have read the first 5 over and over again, i now know them off by heart.
I thought no.6 was ok. it got me through a very boring time.
so when No.7 came out and it was to be the last one i was very excited. Great, i thought, a big ending, lots of unknowns, climaxes... but i did wonder how she would write it all...
So when it was released at midnight down at my local ASDA Store, i was there, in the que, waiting, my mother had to come too as i would not go alone( i am only 16 but my A level english group agree with me on the fact that we only read it to see how it ended) i got home and started it. i stayed up till 4.00 in the morning to finnish it but was rather dissapointed.
it was average all the way through, by the ending chapters you basically knew exactly what she had written and i was (sadley) bored.
it lacked that... spark all the others had. maybe it was too much pressure from the publishers and fans but i realise now, i actually only wanted to read it so that i could find out the ending and who died.
I admit, i was dissapionted. She should have stopped at 5.
I do hope though that she writes other books but it may be difficult for her to top Potter.

Classical Great, 05 Sep 2008
Despite my age (not given ;-)) I have been a Harry Potter fan, why..? Because Rowling gives back your childhood. She puts you back 'there' as if it were yesterday and makes you draw breath at the adventures she creates. It almost makes you envious that you didn't have the opportunity to be at Hogwarts, that your school was naff compared to it. Yes, I suffered the torment of teachers, detentions, lines and being hit across the head with books, which makes her series so real. Harry is a plausable character, we all knew someone like Harry, just no magicians, or so we think! Rowling's imagination deserves the credit it receives, and I for one will continue to read whatever she writes. Fantastic, classic, the children's Austin.

(sobs!), 05 Sep 2008
It's probably the weakest of the set. But it's still a worthy end to the series that defined an era! I found myself wishing they were back at Hogwarts for most of it.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Good for a beginner and someone on a short trip!, 30 Sep 2008
Firstly I'd like to say that I have studied Mandarin before and I bought this because I have recently started studying again, so a lot of what is covered in the earlier stages of this book I already knew.
However that takes nothing away from this book, for a complete beginner this book is worth twice what you pay for it!
The way it's laid out is good, the illustrations make it fun to read, it gives you characters and PinYin from the start which is essential, the CD is useful and the topics covered are also great for building your "Chinese Language Foundations".

My one criticism is that it doesn't cover degree or school subjects and that the vocabularly is still a little thin, sure you could probably go to China for a short stay and knowing all the vocab in this book would probably get you through. But if you're planning on going there for longer,