Books Jack Reads

David Walliams has become an important name in children’s literature. All of his novels are full of both humour and heart, and he even has critics comparing him to the great Roald Dahl. Grandpa’s Great Escape is the eighth novel Walliams has written and is no exception.

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This is essentially a story about the close bond between a young boy named Jack and his grandfather. Years ago, Grandpa was a WW2 fighter pilot, but is now a forgetful and confused old man. (He's actually suffering from dementia, but David doesn't actually say so).

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Despite this, Jack still loves and admires him, so when Jack's parents send Grandpa to Twilight Towers retirement home, run by the sinister Madam Swine, it becomes up to Jack to help him escape!

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There are a number of things both children and parents will enjoy about this story.

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Children will enjoy the humour that Walliams piles into the story, which is mainly generated from Grandpa’s confusion about the modern world (as he always talks and acts like it is still World War 2), as well as the way that the tension is increased throughout the story during the escape. And of course, everyone's favourite absent-minded newsagent, Raj, also features in the story too!

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Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the educational side of the story, as it also references specific moments from WW2 (such as Operation Sea Lion) and features a glossary at the end, giving the story an educational aspect as well.

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Overall, this is an exciting adventure story for young readers, that just might teach them something new along the way.