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The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Who needs a ladder when you’ve got a giraffe with an extended neck?
The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn't. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.
Billy's biggest wish is to turn a weird old wooden house into a wonderful sweet shop. But then he finds a giraffe, a pelly and a monkey living inside - Now they're the Ladderless Window Cleaning Company! They become best friends, and now that they have a promising job to carrout out, there's a chance that Billy's scrumptious, galumptious dream just might come true...
Roald Dahl, is the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more timeless classics for children. Besides keeping millions of readers entertained for years, these delightfully disturbing tales have recently been turned into hit films, helping to continue to make millions of children & adults alike shiver with his unique stories.
The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn't. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.
Billy's biggest wish is to turn a weird old wooden house into a wonderful sweet shop. But then he finds a giraffe, a pelly and a monkey living inside - Now they're the Ladderless Window Cleaning Company! They become best friends, and now that they have a promising job to carrout out, there's a chance that Billy's scrumptious, galumptious dream just might come true...
Roald Dahl, is the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more timeless classics for children. Besides keeping millions of readers entertained for years, these delightfully disturbing tales have recently been turned into hit films, helping to continue to make millions of children & adults alike shiver with his unique stories.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 1985
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About the author
Roald Dahl
1,469 books26.6k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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February 11, 2019
A short story about a Giraffe, Pelican and Monkey who open up a ladderless window cleaning company, who become friendly with a small boy called Billy. It's full of all the Dahlian humour and whimsy and nonsense, but like always it has a nice serious edge to it.
Very charming, though definitely not his best and quite unsubstantial in reality. In general, it's written as well as all his others but I think the emphasis on the whimsy really helped this particular story, especially since it was more along the lines of almost-believable whimsy. Just a nice, delightful quick read for any child or adult, and I'm sure any competent child could definitely handle it alone.
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Very charming, though definitely not his best and quite unsubstantial in reality. In general, it's written as well as all his others but I think the emphasis on the whimsy really helped this particular story, especially since it was more along the lines of almost-believable whimsy. Just a nice, delightful quick read for any child or adult, and I'm sure any competent child could definitely handle it alone.
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August 12, 2020
I have to say this isn’t my favourite Roald Dahl story. Perhaps because it’s pretty short so it’s hard to really get into a fall in love with the character. However it’s worth reading, specially with children.
March 21, 2023
3,5*
#Dewithon 2023
Considero-me uma pessoa bem formada, mas no melhor pano cai a nódoa, e o meu podre é um duvidoso sentido de humor. Rio-me de coisas parvas e talvez até polémicas. #Rick Gervais #Monty Python. Por outro lado, penso muitas vezes: de que riem as pessoas politicamente correctas?
Vem isto a propósito da descabida ideia de a editora britânica Puffin Books “rescrever” os clássicos de Roald Dahl para se adaptarem às “sensibilidades actuais”. Eu nem sou de escrever palavras entre aspas, mas o conceito é tão abominável, que não vejo alternativa. Depois da onda de protestos, incluindo de pessoas que sabem o que é ser censurado, como Salman Rushdie, a Penguin Random House voltou atrás nesta ridícula decisão de retirar os originais de circulação e, assim, vai criar versões alternativas para crianças e jovens que prefiram ver “enorme” em vez de “gordo”, que se ofendam com o adjectivo “preto” aplicado a tratores e achem que a profissão de caixa de supermercado para uma mulher é inadmissível e deverá ser substituída, por exemplo, por cientista. Se se estão a rir, high five! São cá dos meus. Se não forem, paciência. Não desistam já de mim.
Por mais que ache que devemos ter tento na língua e respeitar os outros que são diferentes de nós, estes livros foram escritos há décadas por um autor que usava o humor negro provavelmente por superar a tristeza da sua vida. Dahl ficou órfão de pai aos 3 anos, combateu na Segunda Guerra Mundial, viu um dos seus filhos morrer e dois outros a ficarem inválidos. Se não tinha também os seus podres? Consta que sim. Mas se têm respeito por alguns, tenham-no por todos, senão, ganhem juízo.
O livro aqui em questão, “A Girafa, o Pelicano e Eu” é, por seu lado, daqueles totalmente inócuos, acho que, nunca se sabe o que estarei a tresler. O pequeno Billy trava amizade com um trio de lavadores de janelas formado por uma girafa, um pelicano e um macaco, que vive numa antiga loja de doces. Não está entre os melhores deste autor galês, mas é uma história simpática com algumas mostras da inventividade que o caracteriza.
E os estica-elásticos, que faziam com que todos os cabelos da cabeça ficassem em pé, logo que metias um na boca... e havia gulochocos e gomabitas e caramelos azulinos e zumpinos doces e estica-línguas, e além de tudo isto, havia muitas coisas esplêndidas da grande fábrica Wonka, como por exemplo as famosas Pastilhas Arco-Íris Willy Wonka – quando as chupas, cospes em sete cores diferentes. E o Cola-Maxilares para pais faladores. Ah, apanhada!
#Dewithon 2023
Considero-me uma pessoa bem formada, mas no melhor pano cai a nódoa, e o meu podre é um duvidoso sentido de humor. Rio-me de coisas parvas e talvez até polémicas. #Rick Gervais #Monty Python. Por outro lado, penso muitas vezes: de que riem as pessoas politicamente correctas?
Vem isto a propósito da descabida ideia de a editora britânica Puffin Books “rescrever” os clássicos de Roald Dahl para se adaptarem às “sensibilidades actuais”. Eu nem sou de escrever palavras entre aspas, mas o conceito é tão abominável, que não vejo alternativa. Depois da onda de protestos, incluindo de pessoas que sabem o que é ser censurado, como Salman Rushdie, a Penguin Random House voltou atrás nesta ridícula decisão de retirar os originais de circulação e, assim, vai criar versões alternativas para crianças e jovens que prefiram ver “enorme” em vez de “gordo”, que se ofendam com o adjectivo “preto” aplicado a tratores e achem que a profissão de caixa de supermercado para uma mulher é inadmissível e deverá ser substituída, por exemplo, por cientista. Se se estão a rir, high five! São cá dos meus. Se não forem, paciência. Não desistam já de mim.
Por mais que ache que devemos ter tento na língua e respeitar os outros que são diferentes de nós, estes livros foram escritos há décadas por um autor que usava o humor negro provavelmente por superar a tristeza da sua vida. Dahl ficou órfão de pai aos 3 anos, combateu na Segunda Guerra Mundial, viu um dos seus filhos morrer e dois outros a ficarem inválidos. Se não tinha também os seus podres? Consta que sim. Mas se têm respeito por alguns, tenham-no por todos, senão, ganhem juízo.
O livro aqui em questão, “A Girafa, o Pelicano e Eu” é, por seu lado, daqueles totalmente inócuos, acho que, nunca se sabe o que estarei a tresler. O pequeno Billy trava amizade com um trio de lavadores de janelas formado por uma girafa, um pelicano e um macaco, que vive numa antiga loja de doces. Não está entre os melhores deste autor galês, mas é uma história simpática com algumas mostras da inventividade que o caracteriza.
E os estica-elásticos, que faziam com que todos os cabelos da cabeça ficassem em pé, logo que metias um na boca... e havia gulochocos e gomabitas e caramelos azulinos e zumpinos doces e estica-línguas, e além de tudo isto, havia muitas coisas esplêndidas da grande fábrica Wonka, como por exemplo as famosas Pastilhas Arco-Íris Willy Wonka – quando as chupas, cospes em sete cores diferentes. E o Cola-Maxilares para pais faladores. Ah, apanhada!
February 14, 2019
کتاب را برای یک پسر بچه هفت ساله خواندم. صدایام را موقع گفتن دیالوگ هر کدام از شخصیتها عوض میکردم اما بیشتر از قصه، مجذوب حس حیرتی شدم که در چهرهی پسرک آشکار شده بود. میل شدید به شنیدن و پیشرفتن قصه، اشتیاقی که او را از تبلتش جدا کرده بود و آنچنان رام شده بود که سرش را تکه داده بود به بازویام و تصاویر کتاب را نگاه میکرد و شگفتزده میشد هر لحظه. فکر کردم همهی ما اینجوری بودیم آن اوایل و هنوز هم گاهی، فقط گاهی این شکلی میشویم. به ندرت، اگر قصهای بتواند به عمیقترین نقطه روحمان متصل شود.
June 23, 2020
Another great re-read!
Bring on more Dahl! I feel as though I can sprint through these books (which, I admit, are geared for children) and share them with the world. After a sweets shop goes on the selling block, our narrator, Billy, watches with amazement when a new company mysterious appears, as if overnight. Billy goes to check things out, where he comes across a giraffe sticking its head out of the top-floor window. Thereafter, a pelican emerges to share the story of their window cleaning business, which is rounded out by a highly energetic monkey. Its name? The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (as if there were any doubt!). Through a rhyming, sing-song narrative, Billy learns a little more about this ragtag group of three and how they hope to impress the townsfolk with all their washing abilities. After a letter arrives from the Duke of Hampshire, Billy and his three new friends begin the journey to offer their window washing services. Arriving at this spacious parcel of land, all four find a way to assist the Duke around his estate before discovering a jewel heist taking place within the manor house. Working together, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me attempt to intercept the thief. Their success could garner more than just a return of the countless number of diamonds the Duchess is missing! Dahl pushes the silliness to the brink here, but the rhyming and sing-song nature keep the story light and full of entertaining antics. Wonderfully crafted and a magical way to end a day with this pre-bedtime story.
Dahl masters yet another story here by finding new characters and new angles to approach. With another child protagonist (as attentive readers will see, many Dahl tales are narrated by children), the story progresses. The precocious narrator goes off to explore the world, alone. I noticed that there are rarely any parental figures found in Dahl's children's books, which was mentioned in a recent biography I read of the author. Billy is free to frolic and find his way, dashing off to an estate with three random animals, where they eventually clash with an armed robber. How interesting for a children's book to remove the 'adult flavour', at least parents, from the narrative and give complete control to a child seemingly the same age as the target audience. The story flows well and the characters work well together to forge a strong story and decent collection of morals and lessons that are threaded throughout.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for all you have given us. You departed the world much too soon, but left a literary footprint that no one else will ever fill.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Bring on more Dahl! I feel as though I can sprint through these books (which, I admit, are geared for children) and share them with the world. After a sweets shop goes on the selling block, our narrator, Billy, watches with amazement when a new company mysterious appears, as if overnight. Billy goes to check things out, where he comes across a giraffe sticking its head out of the top-floor window. Thereafter, a pelican emerges to share the story of their window cleaning business, which is rounded out by a highly energetic monkey. Its name? The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (as if there were any doubt!). Through a rhyming, sing-song narrative, Billy learns a little more about this ragtag group of three and how they hope to impress the townsfolk with all their washing abilities. After a letter arrives from the Duke of Hampshire, Billy and his three new friends begin the journey to offer their window washing services. Arriving at this spacious parcel of land, all four find a way to assist the Duke around his estate before discovering a jewel heist taking place within the manor house. Working together, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me attempt to intercept the thief. Their success could garner more than just a return of the countless number of diamonds the Duchess is missing! Dahl pushes the silliness to the brink here, but the rhyming and sing-song nature keep the story light and full of entertaining antics. Wonderfully crafted and a magical way to end a day with this pre-bedtime story.
Dahl masters yet another story here by finding new characters and new angles to approach. With another child protagonist (as attentive readers will see, many Dahl tales are narrated by children), the story progresses. The precocious narrator goes off to explore the world, alone. I noticed that there are rarely any parental figures found in Dahl's children's books, which was mentioned in a recent biography I read of the author. Billy is free to frolic and find his way, dashing off to an estate with three random animals, where they eventually clash with an armed robber. How interesting for a children's book to remove the 'adult flavour', at least parents, from the narrative and give complete control to a child seemingly the same age as the target audience. The story flows well and the characters work well together to forge a strong story and decent collection of morals and lessons that are threaded throughout.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for all you have given us. You departed the world much too soon, but left a literary footprint that no one else will ever fill.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 2, 2016
Friendship is an amazing thing to share! The duke was a bit crazy, but the great kind of crazy :D
And the closing poem, or song earned the book its forth star!
"We have tears in our eyes
As we wave our good byes
We so love being with you, we three
So do please now and then
Come and see us again
The giraffe and the pelly and me
All you do is to look
At a page in this book
Because that's where we always will be
No book never ends
When it's full of your friends
The giraffe and the pelly and me"
And the closing poem, or song earned the book its forth star!
"We have tears in our eyes
As we wave our good byes
We so love being with you, we three
So do please now and then
Come and see us again
The giraffe and the pelly and me
All you do is to look
At a page in this book
Because that's where we always will be
No book never ends
When it's full of your friends
The giraffe and the pelly and me"
June 8, 2020
A short, cute story about a kind boy and a group of animals with magical abilities. One of the rare books by Roald Dahl which are actually fun and cute instead of naughty and crazy. His absurd storytelling still shines though, and Wonka's factory makes an unexpected apparition. Cute! :)
February 4, 2023
Cute and amusing, with lively illustrations.
October 26, 2025
Quite a cute story.
Billy discovers that someone bought the old candy store...and that someone happens to be a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey.
They've opened a window cleaning company, using the monkey's hands to wash, the pelican's beak as a bucket and the giraffe as a ladder. Quite a clever set up!
As you can imagine, this story is full of whimsy and delightful coincidences as they meet the Duke, catch a robber and find a home.
Audiobook Comments
Read by Hugh Laurie - and he rocked this audio. It was so much fun to listen to Laurie read such a childish story!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Billy discovers that someone bought the old candy store...and that someone happens to be a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey.
They've opened a window cleaning company, using the monkey's hands to wash, the pelican's beak as a bucket and the giraffe as a ladder. Quite a clever set up!
As you can imagine, this story is full of whimsy and delightful coincidences as they meet the Duke, catch a robber and find a home.
Audiobook Comments
Read by Hugh Laurie - and he rocked this audio. It was so much fun to listen to Laurie read such a childish story!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
May 5, 2022
they can't all be hits.
even if you're roald dahl and your mind is capable of coming up with things like "boy in magic chocolate factory gets to live there forever" and "girl who reads a lot is also magic because of that."
even at that level of content creation, you're going to come up with giraffes and pellys sometimes.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
even if you're roald dahl and your mind is capable of coming up with things like "boy in magic chocolate factory gets to live there forever" and "girl who reads a lot is also magic because of that."
even at that level of content creation, you're going to come up with giraffes and pellys sometimes.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
July 21, 2017
قصص الأطفال التي كنت أتمنى لو أنني قرأتها صغيرة لأتذوقها حقًا، من الصعوبة بمكان أن تبدأ القراءة في عُمر ما بدون أن تتحسّر على تلك الأيام والسنوات التي قضيتها قبل أن تعرف تلك اللذة.
ربما ما سيشكل عوضًا بالنسبة ليّ هو أنني يومًا ما وإذا رُزقت بأطفال سألقي أمامهم بكل تلك القصص البريئة في كل مكان تقع عليه أعينهم.
تمّت
ربما ما سيشكل عوضًا بالنسبة ليّ هو أنني يومًا ما وإذا رُزقت بأطفال سألقي أمامهم بكل تلك القصص البريئة في كل مكان تقع عليه أعينهم.
تمّت
August 25, 2020
Una storiella molto corta e senza grandi pretese, sicuramente adatta ai più piccini.
In questo piccolo libro la fantasia e l’amicizia si mescolano in maniera perfetta, dando vita a una strampalata impresa di pulizie, capace di fare davvero miracoli.
Forse questo non è la storia migliore di Roald Dahl, questo è vero, ma il suo stile è inconfondibile ✨
In questo piccolo libro la fantasia e l’amicizia si mescolano in maniera perfetta, dando vita a una strampalata impresa di pulizie, capace di fare davvero miracoli.
Forse questo non è la storia migliore di Roald Dahl, questo è vero, ma il suo stile è inconfondibile ✨
September 25, 2012
Sent to Andrea Messent at Darren and Associates:
Dear Darren & Associates,
It is with some regret that I sit down to write this correspondence. I understand your reluctance to read voluminous missives so I will keep this missive as unchunky as my e-pen allows.
On Sep 4th 2010 I sent to your agency, via recorded delivery, my novel When Bees Attack. I sent this following a verbal agreement between myself and your agent Cariller Cray when I met her at a catered affair for Bernard Share’s eightieth birthday. We had a thoroughly encouraging conversation about the passion for knowledge common to fellows in the academic arena—the “epistemology of the heart,” to quote my own phrase. At the climax of this discussion I mentioned in passing my sexually provocative novel When Bees Attack about a retired Oxford professor who opens a bee sanctuary on the Norfolk coast. Ms Cray was deeply impressed at the breadth of my apian knowledge and offered to read my manuscript with a view to representation by your agency.
I received no response for six months save for a Tower Bridge postcard sent by Cariller with “we cannot use” scribbled in (what appeared to be) child’s crayon. Upon a closer inspection with my nose, I did indeed ascertain this message to have been written in crayon. I sent a polite enquiry letter a week later, asking for a more formal response to my manuscript. The following week I received my returned manuscript, each page covered in crayon marks, with large blood-red scrawlings of ‘HA HA HA’ in the margins. I sent yet another polite enquiry. A week later I received a single page of foolscap with the same scrawlings—‘HA HA HA’—across the page. This is not professional conduct. I am a patient man and I do not appreciate being treated in such a bizarre manner.
All I seek is confirmation that my novel, When Bees Attack, has been read by your agency, and whether representation is possible on the strength of the material submitted.
Yours truly,
Terence Mason
*
Genuine Reply:
Dear Terence,
I’m think you may have got our Agency confused as there is no Darren or Cariller Cray working here!
Best wishes,
Andrea
Dear Darren & Associates,
It is with some regret that I sit down to write this correspondence. I understand your reluctance to read voluminous missives so I will keep this missive as unchunky as my e-pen allows.
On Sep 4th 2010 I sent to your agency, via recorded delivery, my novel When Bees Attack. I sent this following a verbal agreement between myself and your agent Cariller Cray when I met her at a catered affair for Bernard Share’s eightieth birthday. We had a thoroughly encouraging conversation about the passion for knowledge common to fellows in the academic arena—the “epistemology of the heart,” to quote my own phrase. At the climax of this discussion I mentioned in passing my sexually provocative novel When Bees Attack about a retired Oxford professor who opens a bee sanctuary on the Norfolk coast. Ms Cray was deeply impressed at the breadth of my apian knowledge and offered to read my manuscript with a view to representation by your agency.
I received no response for six months save for a Tower Bridge postcard sent by Cariller with “we cannot use” scribbled in (what appeared to be) child’s crayon. Upon a closer inspection with my nose, I did indeed ascertain this message to have been written in crayon. I sent a polite enquiry letter a week later, asking for a more formal response to my manuscript. The following week I received my returned manuscript, each page covered in crayon marks, with large blood-red scrawlings of ‘HA HA HA’ in the margins. I sent yet another polite enquiry. A week later I received a single page of foolscap with the same scrawlings—‘HA HA HA’—across the page. This is not professional conduct. I am a patient man and I do not appreciate being treated in such a bizarre manner.
All I seek is confirmation that my novel, When Bees Attack, has been read by your agency, and whether representation is possible on the strength of the material submitted.
Yours truly,
Terence Mason
*
Genuine Reply:
Dear Terence,
I’m think you may have got our Agency confused as there is no Darren or Cariller Cray working here!
Best wishes,
Andrea
January 1, 2019
I like to start the year with some fluffy books where nothing can go wrong. Roald Dahl created such "safe spaces" for us and despite some suspenseful moments almost all of them have, we always get a happy ending.
In this book, we meeting the following characters:
Billy lives in a street near an abandoned building. The building used to house an old-fashioned sweets shop but is now converted into the home of the titular giraffe, pelican and monkey who open a window cleaning business.
Soon afterwards, they meet the Duke who has been looking for good window cleaners for 40 years so he is delighted when meeting this merry and slightly magical band.
The story tells of easy friendships, adventure and finding something you're really good at even if it might not be what other people picture you doing - and doing it with gusto.
Maybe not as good as my favourites but nevertheless a fun little story, this time full of little rhymes and songs that were delightful.
In this book, we meeting the following characters:
Billy lives in a street near an abandoned building. The building used to house an old-fashioned sweets shop but is now converted into the home of the titular giraffe, pelican and monkey who open a window cleaning business.
Soon afterwards, they meet the Duke who has been looking for good window cleaners for 40 years so he is delighted when meeting this merry and slightly magical band.
The story tells of easy friendships, adventure and finding something you're really good at even if it might not be what other people picture you doing - and doing it with gusto.
Maybe not as good as my favourites but nevertheless a fun little story, this time full of little rhymes and songs that were delightful.
February 3, 2020
از بزرگترین افتخارات زندگیم اینه که با کتابهای رولد دال بزرگ شدم...
من و زرافه و پلی هم برای همیشه جزو محبوبترین کتابهای من باقی میمونه💙
من و زرافه و پلی هم برای همیشه جزو محبوبترین کتابهای من باقی میمونه💙
April 27, 2023
Brilliant yet again by Dahl. You can read all of his children's books at all ages. They are so much fun and original. And those illustrations by Quentin Blake fabulous!
4.2/5
4.2/5
March 26, 2025
کتابو برای بار نمیدونم چندم با برادرم خوندیم.
رولددال هیچ وقت خسته کننده نمیشه.
رولددال هیچ وقت خسته کننده نمیشه.
December 20, 2024
Un libro breve, pero (como sucede con Roald Dahl) divertido para un público tanto infantil como adulto. Es uno de esos textos en los que compruebo que el autor es una fuerza creativa increíble. Definitivamente es un gran libro.
teenage-books
January 25, 2020
I liked the subtle plot twists in the end. I had vague memory of my mom reading this to me, but i wasn't paying attention to the story back then. It all came together after this one scene where the pelican explains about his beak sliding in his head. Yeah, that sort of gave it away. This time I read it on my own and it surprisingly wasn't boring at all. ( Boo! At the 5 year old me who wasn't invested in the story). All in all it did a great job at grabbing my interest now as an adult.
May 13, 2020
Nobody reads bedtime stories this good other than Hugh Laurie. Ok, maybe also Stephen Fry.
February 16, 2020
#46 of 2020
May 21, 2015
I really liked this story! The friendships are great and the duke is a weird eccentric old guy, which I love! Eccentric old people are the best!
I also loved the closing poem:
We have tears in our eyes,
As we wave our goodbyes,
We so loved being with you, we three.
So do please now and then
Come and see us again,
The giraffe and the Pelly and me.
All you do is to look
At a page in this book
Because that's where we always will be.
No book ever ends
When it's full of your friends
The giraffe and the Pelly and me.
I also loved the closing poem:
We have tears in our eyes,
As we wave our goodbyes,
We so loved being with you, we three.
So do please now and then
Come and see us again,
The giraffe and the Pelly and me.
All you do is to look
At a page in this book
Because that's where we always will be.
No book ever ends
When it's full of your friends
The giraffe and the Pelly and me.
November 24, 2021
I have a bit of a soft spot for The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me because I vividly remember reading it as a child. I had the large picture book version and I read it all the time.
It's a very simple story, about a boy and his best friends who just happen to be a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey who run a window cleaning business. There's also a small nod to Willy Wonka. It was a good time.
It's a very simple story, about a boy and his best friends who just happen to be a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey who run a window cleaning business. There's also a small nod to Willy Wonka. It was a good time.
February 4, 2019
GENIAL. No hay nada como Roald Dahl.
February 7, 2017
This was an extremely cute book. I read this book as an adult, for me, by me, with no one else. As an adult I forget how fun it is to read children's chapter books. It brings back memories of when I was in elementary school. Roald Dahl was my favorite author and Matilda was my favorite book of all time in elementary school. My new goal is read every book by him!
I suggest this book to anyone that wants a quick, fun read :)
I suggest this book to anyone that wants a quick, fun read :)
July 8, 2023
জিরাফ, পেলিক্যান পাখি আর বানরের মই ছাড়া জানালা পরিষ্কার করার দল; নিজের একটা মিষ্টির দোকান দেয়ার স্বপ্ন দেখা ছেলে আর ৬৭৭ জানালাওয়ালা প্রাসাদের মালিক বিশাল ধনী ডিউক সব মিলিয়ে চমৎকার একটা কাহিনি। তবে গল্পটা জমে ওঠার আগেই খুব তাড়াতাড়ি শেষ হয়ে গেল। ব্লেকের ইলাস্ট্রেশন যথারীতি একটা দুর্দান্ত পাওনা।
January 27, 2021
Cute and sweet story aimed at very young children. It would make a great bedtime story.
November 17, 2021
دوست دارم شعرهاشو انگلیسی ببینم چجوریه. :))
کلمات رولد دال خیلی بدیع و کیوته. :))
کلمات رولد دال خیلی بدیع و کیوته. :))
October 1, 2024
A charming, funny little tale with some suspense thrown in the mix! I always enjoy Dahl's writing
childrens-books
September 25, 2021❧ audiobook review
This is one Roald Dahl book I'd actually never heard of! I'm surprised, because it was written in 1985, but somehow it slipped past me until today. I didn't love it as much as Matilda, The Witches and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it's very cute in its own right! The audio book is narrated by Hugh Laurie, which I thoroughly recommend. He sings!
Also, the list of sweets at the end is an absolute delight! You can tell Dahl loves sweets, haha. Apparently he published a cookbook as well? What rock have I been living under? I really want to try some of his recipes now. I mean, the man who gave us The Chocolate Factory can only create epic dessert, surely? :D
Anyways, super cute book, definitely recommend.
This is one Roald Dahl book I'd actually never heard of! I'm surprised, because it was written in 1985, but somehow it slipped past me until today. I didn't love it as much as Matilda, The Witches and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it's very cute in its own right! The audio book is narrated by Hugh Laurie, which I thoroughly recommend. He sings!
Also, the list of sweets at the end is an absolute delight! You can tell Dahl loves sweets, haha. Apparently he published a cookbook as well? What rock have I been living under? I really want to try some of his recipes now. I mean, the man who gave us The Chocolate Factory can only create epic dessert, surely? :D
Anyways, super cute book, definitely recommend.
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