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The Iron Man #1
The Iron Man
A clanking iron giant topples from a cliff and lies smashed on the rocks below. Then, his various parts begin to stir and reach out for one another. The Iron Man is ready to walk again - and he is very hungry.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
315 people are currently reading
6776 people want to read
About the author
Ted Hughes
377 books728 followersEdward James Hughes was an English poet, translator, and children's writer. Critics frequently rank him as one of the best poets of his generation and one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1984 and held the office until his death. In 2008, The Times ranked Hughes fourth on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
He married fellow poet Sylvia Plath in 1956, and they lived together in the United States and then in England, in a tumultuous relationship. They had two children before separating in 1962 and Plath ended her own life in 1963.
He married fellow poet Sylvia Plath in 1956, and they lived together in the United States and then in England, in a tumultuous relationship. They had two children before separating in 1962 and Plath ended her own life in 1963.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,128 reviews
April 28, 2017
You know what it's like. You've left your wife, she's killed herself, so you write a story to cheer up the kids. We've all been there.
December 27, 2014
When you write a review of a kid's book, there really should be a way to give it two different star ratings. One for you, and one for the kids you've read it to.
For me, this book might be a three star book. Four if I was feeling generous. I find it wordy and ponderous. Overwrought. The plot is pretty clunky and meh. I don't hate the book or anything, it's just doesn't do much for me.
But my boy loves it. He wants me to read it to him over and over again. And again.
I think this might be slightly because my boy loves the movie The Iron Giant a lot. But that can't be too much of the reason, as the book has only a glancing similarity to the movie.
(The movie is A+ excellent, by the way. One of my favorite movies ever.)
For me, this book might be a three star book. Four if I was feeling generous. I find it wordy and ponderous. Overwrought. The plot is pretty clunky and meh. I don't hate the book or anything, it's just doesn't do much for me.
But my boy loves it. He wants me to read it to him over and over again. And again.
I think this might be slightly because my boy loves the movie The Iron Giant a lot. But that can't be too much of the reason, as the book has only a glancing similarity to the movie.
(The movie is A+ excellent, by the way. One of my favorite movies ever.)
December 19, 2019
My kid picked this out in a bookstore because of the beautiful artwork. The illustrations in this edition are gorgeous.
The story is a bit meandering, and there's some equally dated language. But the existential threats presented are great and scary, and the Iron Man is an awesome character.
My kid wanted to read it again right after we finished it.
The story is a bit meandering, and there's some equally dated language. But the existential threats presented are great and scary, and the Iron Man is an awesome character.
My kid wanted to read it again right after we finished it.
November 21, 2025
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I chose to read The Iron Man by Ted Hughes as part of my Potions prompt for my OWLs Readathon in April. I am very glad I picked it up, because it was such a pleasant short read.
This is a Children's book about a little boy an an iron man. The Iron Man starts eating all the metal in the town, and the concerned town members capture him. But when a bigger danger comes around, the might need the help of the Iron Man after all.
The book was beautifully written and it had many illustrations that supported the story. Illustrations are always something I truly admire. These may have been a bit too grim for me though.
The writing is very smooth and easy to digest. I believe that it is able to spark a child's imagination and curiosity. The book is entangled in bravery, friendships and adventure, and I am certain that it will be a child's dear friend forever, should they read it once.
I recommend watching the 1999 animated movie The Iron Giant after reading the book, for better enjoyment.
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I chose to read The Iron Man by Ted Hughes as part of my Potions prompt for my OWLs Readathon in April. I am very glad I picked it up, because it was such a pleasant short read.
This is a Children's book about a little boy an an iron man. The Iron Man starts eating all the metal in the town, and the concerned town members capture him. But when a bigger danger comes around, the might need the help of the Iron Man after all.
The book was beautifully written and it had many illustrations that supported the story. Illustrations are always something I truly admire. These may have been a bit too grim for me though.
The writing is very smooth and easy to digest. I believe that it is able to spark a child's imagination and curiosity. The book is entangled in bravery, friendships and adventure, and I am certain that it will be a child's dear friend forever, should they read it once.
I recommend watching the 1999 animated movie The Iron Giant after reading the book, for better enjoyment.
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August 28, 2019
Probably best known for the 1999 animated movie The Iron Giant, this enjoyable children’s book is a quick fun read.
Fans of Brad Bird’s movie might be slightly disappointed that the original story is so different, but the basics are still very much in place.
I personally think shorter stories make for better adaptations as there’s plenty of scope to expand a great story.
Offered the choice I would likely re-watch the film again, but I could see this being a firm favourite amongst children.
Fans of Brad Bird’s movie might be slightly disappointed that the original story is so different, but the basics are still very much in place.
I personally think shorter stories make for better adaptations as there’s plenty of scope to expand a great story.
Offered the choice I would likely re-watch the film again, but I could see this being a firm favourite amongst children.
October 5, 2019
"Sit up", he roared. "Sit up and take notice, you great space-lizard!"
😂
trigger warnings: fatphobia, fire
This is a classic story repackaged with new artwork from Chris Mould and let me tell you, I ADORED the illustrations. They really made this story for me. Without them, the story would probably be a 2 stars honestly. I've heard the movie adaptation of this is phenomenal so I will definitely have to check it out!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending a copy of this my way!
trigger warnings: fatphobia, fire
This is a classic story repackaged with new artwork from Chris Mould and let me tell you, I ADORED the illustrations. They really made this story for me. Without them, the story would probably be a 2 stars honestly. I've heard the movie adaptation of this is phenomenal so I will definitely have to check it out!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending a copy of this my way!
June 15, 2019
The Iron Giant is one of our favorite movies, and I remembered from the special features about it that it was inspired by a book by Ted Hughes. For some reason I hadn't ever sought that book out, but in the library the other day we happened to notice this copy of it on the shelf, and I grabbed it immediately.
It's clear where Brad Bird got some of the basic ideas for the film version, but the book and film are different enough that they can be regarded as independent entities. As I read the book, I wasn't distracted by thinking only about the movie.
The book has the slow, unusual pace that often appeals to me in children's literature. It's meandering, thoughtful, and unexpected. Its conclusion is surprisingly poignant and beautiful.
This edition is illustrated by Laura Carlin, and I love the varied illustrations that interact with the text, and the construction of the book itself, that features some cut-outs and some larger, fold-out spreads. I particularly enjoyed the two-page spread on pages 72–73, showing the disassembled pieces of the Iron Giant, en route to Australia for the final confrontation with the space-bat-angel-dragon. (I told you it's different from the movie.)
This is a really wonderful book to just sit with and savor. I wish we'd discovered it much earlier.
It's clear where Brad Bird got some of the basic ideas for the film version, but the book and film are different enough that they can be regarded as independent entities. As I read the book, I wasn't distracted by thinking only about the movie.
The book has the slow, unusual pace that often appeals to me in children's literature. It's meandering, thoughtful, and unexpected. Its conclusion is surprisingly poignant and beautiful.
This edition is illustrated by Laura Carlin, and I love the varied illustrations that interact with the text, and the construction of the book itself, that features some cut-outs and some larger, fold-out spreads. I particularly enjoyed the two-page spread on pages 72–73, showing the disassembled pieces of the Iron Giant, en route to Australia for the final confrontation with the space-bat-angel-dragon. (I told you it's different from the movie.)
This is a really wonderful book to just sit with and savor. I wish we'd discovered it much earlier.
December 7, 2022
(Read for book club - 13/07/2013)
I suppose the only way I could start this review would be by saying that approximately thirteen years ago a small, likely annoying girl of four's heart was torn apart by the ending scene of Brad Bird's The Iron Giant. Never before has the phrase 'You are who you choose to be' and the robotic 'Superman' evoked such a pitiful flurry of tears in that of a hard-faced infant who, as I'm rightfully reminded of by my Dad, refused to see another film for months afterwards due to the sheer trauma (and, ironically, missed the concluding scene because she was too upset to continue watching it).
Because The Iron Giant is quite possibly one of my favourite films in the whole world, it was to be expected that I'd experience some powerful waves of nostalgia as I sifted through Hughes' work. I wasn't wrong! Charmingly illustrated, beautifully told and captivating in its own way, I truly loved every page. It shares the delicacy conveyed in the beginning scene, when we find the Iron Giant about to topple down the cliff into the sea, wrapped in the silence of the world. I toyed with giving this a five star rating but decided against it just because it wasn't blown away territory and I'm generally quite picky about awarding a book the full amount of stars. Still, it misses only by an inch, as it really is lovely.
A rusty fairy tale of sorts; remarkable in vision, gorgeous in words. A new favourite.
“Haven’t you heard of the music of the spheres?” asked the dragon. “It’s the music that space makes to itself. All the spirits inside all the stars are singing. I’m a star spirit. I sing too. The music of the spheres is what makes space so peaceful.”
I suppose the only way I could start this review would be by saying that approximately thirteen years ago a small, likely annoying girl of four's heart was torn apart by the ending scene of Brad Bird's The Iron Giant. Never before has the phrase 'You are who you choose to be' and the robotic 'Superman' evoked such a pitiful flurry of tears in that of a hard-faced infant who, as I'm rightfully reminded of by my Dad, refused to see another film for months afterwards due to the sheer trauma (and, ironically, missed the concluding scene because she was too upset to continue watching it).
Because The Iron Giant is quite possibly one of my favourite films in the whole world, it was to be expected that I'd experience some powerful waves of nostalgia as I sifted through Hughes' work. I wasn't wrong! Charmingly illustrated, beautifully told and captivating in its own way, I truly loved every page. It shares the delicacy conveyed in the beginning scene, when we find the Iron Giant about to topple down the cliff into the sea, wrapped in the silence of the world. I toyed with giving this a five star rating but decided against it just because it wasn't blown away territory and I'm generally quite picky about awarding a book the full amount of stars. Still, it misses only by an inch, as it really is lovely.
A rusty fairy tale of sorts; remarkable in vision, gorgeous in words. A new favourite.
March 11, 2021
An old favourite from childhood. It was about time I gave it a re-read. Still as magical as ever.
P.S. - This has nothing whatsoever to do with Tony Stark.
My next book: Sword Master vol. 2
P.S. - This has nothing whatsoever to do with Tony Stark.
My next book: Sword Master vol. 2
July 16, 2025
I suspect few come to this book without having first seen the film adaptation called The Iron Giant, the 1999 Warner Brothers animation directed by Brad Bird and co-written by him.
The film is a masterpiece and is also one of my *favourite films, to watch again and again whenever it comes on. The book is wonderful but perhaps not a masterpiece. Let us deal first with the book, because I think it is necessary and pleasurable to return to the film.
The charm of the book stems from the central idea of the impact caused by the arrival on Earth of a giant mechanical man. He can deconstruct then reconstruct himself by way of his component parts being handily equipped with homing devices so that they can link up with each other. Simply, the metal man falls down a cliff into the sea, the local famers relax until he returns and starts eating their tractors, so they build a big pit to trap him. When the giant falls in they fill it with earth. Before too long the metal man resurfaces, and is befriended by a small boy called Hogarth, who comes up with the idea of accommodating the visitor’s special needs by putting him in a scrap metal yard. When a space dragon comes to Earth (Australia, wouldn’t you know it), the iron man devises a challenge to outwit the monster and turn him from foe to the beneficiary of all the peoples of the Earth.
The story is in five parts. Or to give the story its proper subtitle: A Children’s Story in Five Nights. This is the other important element of the charm of The Iron Man. The story reads like it is being told to wide-eyed children, sitting enthralled. A child as we know does not always require complete logic and the story of a big metal man from space is a gripping one. So is his developing friendship with Hogarth. The whole dragon sequence is, of course, fantastic in the literal sense but also, very appealing to small children.
While remaining true to the spirit of the book, the animated film The Iron Giant improves the story by giving it a better narrative arc and locating the tale very specifically in a 1950s cold war environment, when the organs of authority (government, security agencies, the army) were perhaps more respected than they are now, certainly powerful, but nevertheless susceptible to paranoia and suspicion. A big metal machine is just the thing to disturb their shaky equilibrium. The threat to the iron giant does not come externally but arises from the paranoia of the time - where does the creature come from? Is it made by the Russians? The Chinese? It represents an unknown danger: it must be destroyed.
This is in stark contrast to Hogarth’s thinking and those close to him. Hogarth understands the nature of the giant and that he is friendly: their relationship is wonderful, witness doing water bombs into the forest pool. In the film, Hogarth has a single mother and he is befriended by the beatnik sculptor who runs the scrap yard, both uncomfortable types in the 1950s. The sculptor in particular with his art, coffee and penchant for jazz represents a disturbing anti-establishment perspective. The soundtrack is superb too.
In this way the story remains integrated and coherent, while maintaining faith with the source material: the ultimate threat comes from the sky, but this time is of their own making. Read the book and see the film!
*To provide some context, current favourites include: Pleasantville, Blast from the Past, Cars and Ben Stiller’s remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
The film is a masterpiece and is also one of my *favourite films, to watch again and again whenever it comes on. The book is wonderful but perhaps not a masterpiece. Let us deal first with the book, because I think it is necessary and pleasurable to return to the film.
The charm of the book stems from the central idea of the impact caused by the arrival on Earth of a giant mechanical man. He can deconstruct then reconstruct himself by way of his component parts being handily equipped with homing devices so that they can link up with each other. Simply, the metal man falls down a cliff into the sea, the local famers relax until he returns and starts eating their tractors, so they build a big pit to trap him. When the giant falls in they fill it with earth. Before too long the metal man resurfaces, and is befriended by a small boy called Hogarth, who comes up with the idea of accommodating the visitor’s special needs by putting him in a scrap metal yard. When a space dragon comes to Earth (Australia, wouldn’t you know it), the iron man devises a challenge to outwit the monster and turn him from foe to the beneficiary of all the peoples of the Earth.
The story is in five parts. Or to give the story its proper subtitle: A Children’s Story in Five Nights. This is the other important element of the charm of The Iron Man. The story reads like it is being told to wide-eyed children, sitting enthralled. A child as we know does not always require complete logic and the story of a big metal man from space is a gripping one. So is his developing friendship with Hogarth. The whole dragon sequence is, of course, fantastic in the literal sense but also, very appealing to small children.
While remaining true to the spirit of the book, the animated film The Iron Giant improves the story by giving it a better narrative arc and locating the tale very specifically in a 1950s cold war environment, when the organs of authority (government, security agencies, the army) were perhaps more respected than they are now, certainly powerful, but nevertheless susceptible to paranoia and suspicion. A big metal machine is just the thing to disturb their shaky equilibrium. The threat to the iron giant does not come externally but arises from the paranoia of the time - where does the creature come from? Is it made by the Russians? The Chinese? It represents an unknown danger: it must be destroyed.
This is in stark contrast to Hogarth’s thinking and those close to him. Hogarth understands the nature of the giant and that he is friendly: their relationship is wonderful, witness doing water bombs into the forest pool. In the film, Hogarth has a single mother and he is befriended by the beatnik sculptor who runs the scrap yard, both uncomfortable types in the 1950s. The sculptor in particular with his art, coffee and penchant for jazz represents a disturbing anti-establishment perspective. The soundtrack is superb too.
In this way the story remains integrated and coherent, while maintaining faith with the source material: the ultimate threat comes from the sky, but this time is of their own making. Read the book and see the film!
*To provide some context, current favourites include: Pleasantville, Blast from the Past, Cars and Ben Stiller’s remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
April 9, 2020
The Iron Man is the inspiration for the animated movie The Iron Giant. The movie adds tons of details and depths to the characters and is definitely superior to the book, but the book is fun and pretty good in its own right. It has got a certain quality that will make almost every child fall in love with the book.
January 19, 2020
Doesn't have a whole lot to do with the animated movie - which I love, and if you haven't seen it then you should check it out right now - but it's a pretty entertaining read on its own.
July 30, 2011
Pa: So you finished your first big book. How are you feeling?
Miloš: Proud of myself.
Pa: You should be. I'm proud of you too.
Miloš: Thanks, Pa.
Pa: Sure, so did you ... what did you think of it?
Miloš: There was a great author.
Pa: Who's that?
Miloš: Ted Hughes.
Pa: Why's he so great?
Miloš: Because I liked the space-bat-angel-dragon.
Pa: The what?!
Miloš: The space-bat-angel-dragon is what I said, Monsieur.
Pa: I thought it was the Iron Giant.
Miloš: And the Iron Giant.
Pa: So what did the space-bat-angel-dragon there for? What did it do?
Miloš: It was supposed to be the Iron Giant's challenge.
Pa: Like his nemesis?
Miloš: Yeah.
Pa: So it was kind of King Kong vs. Godzilla, sort of.
Miloš: Yeah, sort of. It was more like the Iron Giant was King Kong, but like I said he isn't that big, and the space-bat-angel-dragon is huge compared to the Iron Giant.
Pa: Umm, so did the Iron Giant beat the dragon?
Miloš: Yeah, only the dragon's job was just to fly around the world all night, every night, singing, cause all it could do up there was fly and sing.
Pa: Was the dragon actually the moon?
Miloš: No.
Pa: No? It was a dragon.
Miloš: No. It was a dragon.
Pa: That's kooky.
Miloš: It was more like a bat an angel and a dragon; that's why it's called the space-bat-angel-dragon. But anyway, I liked it. It was amazing. Yeah.
Pa: So what about Hogarth, from the movie, was he different?
Miloš: Yeah, a lot different. When we first see him in the movie he's riding his bike to where his mother is working, but in the book he is fishing and he keeps missing the fish in the book, but he hits a rock so he goes home.
Pa: And how does he bump into the Iron Giant?
Miloš: He sees him on his way home, coming out of the water, then he goes and tells his parents.
Pa: So are they friends, like in the movie.
Miloš: Yeah, but unlike the movie, everyone loves the Iron Giant ... as soon as the space-bat-angel-dragon falls down.
Pa: So the space-bat-angel-dragon is the bad guy rather than the US Army?
Miloš: Yeah. There is no US Army. No police. Only farmers. It's really only tyhe space guy. They super changed it in the movie.
Pa: So which did you like better? The movie or the book?
Miloš: The book.
Pa: Very cool. What are you reading next?
Miloš: I will read My Dead Girlfriend.
Pa: Good choice.
Miloš: Then I will win James and the Giant Peach, then I will read the Tiger book (a.k.a. The Essential Calvin and Hobbes).
Pa: Well, congratulations on your big finish.
Miloš: Thank you.
Pa: You are welcome.
Miloš: And ... Ted Hughes, this is a great book!
Pa: I am sure Sylvia Plath will be glad to hear it?
Miloš: Who's that?
Pa: Ted's dead girlfriend.
Miloš: Oh, I see. Thanks, Pa.
Pa: You I love.
Miloš: You me too.
Miloš: Proud of myself.
Pa: You should be. I'm proud of you too.
Miloš: Thanks, Pa.
Pa: Sure, so did you ... what did you think of it?
Miloš: There was a great author.
Pa: Who's that?
Miloš: Ted Hughes.
Pa: Why's he so great?
Miloš: Because I liked the space-bat-angel-dragon.
Pa: The what?!
Miloš: The space-bat-angel-dragon is what I said, Monsieur.
Pa: I thought it was the Iron Giant.
Miloš: And the Iron Giant.
Pa: So what did the space-bat-angel-dragon there for? What did it do?
Miloš: It was supposed to be the Iron Giant's challenge.
Pa: Like his nemesis?
Miloš: Yeah.
Pa: So it was kind of King Kong vs. Godzilla, sort of.
Miloš: Yeah, sort of. It was more like the Iron Giant was King Kong, but like I said he isn't that big, and the space-bat-angel-dragon is huge compared to the Iron Giant.
Pa: Umm, so did the Iron Giant beat the dragon?
Miloš: Yeah, only the dragon's job was just to fly around the world all night, every night, singing, cause all it could do up there was fly and sing.
Pa: Was the dragon actually the moon?
Miloš: No.
Pa: No? It was a dragon.
Miloš: No. It was a dragon.
Pa: That's kooky.
Miloš: It was more like a bat an angel and a dragon; that's why it's called the space-bat-angel-dragon. But anyway, I liked it. It was amazing. Yeah.
Pa: So what about Hogarth, from the movie, was he different?
Miloš: Yeah, a lot different. When we first see him in the movie he's riding his bike to where his mother is working, but in the book he is fishing and he keeps missing the fish in the book, but he hits a rock so he goes home.
Pa: And how does he bump into the Iron Giant?
Miloš: He sees him on his way home, coming out of the water, then he goes and tells his parents.
Pa: So are they friends, like in the movie.
Miloš: Yeah, but unlike the movie, everyone loves the Iron Giant ... as soon as the space-bat-angel-dragon falls down.
Pa: So the space-bat-angel-dragon is the bad guy rather than the US Army?
Miloš: Yeah. There is no US Army. No police. Only farmers. It's really only tyhe space guy. They super changed it in the movie.
Pa: So which did you like better? The movie or the book?
Miloš: The book.
Pa: Very cool. What are you reading next?
Miloš: I will read My Dead Girlfriend.
Pa: Good choice.
Miloš: Then I will win James and the Giant Peach, then I will read the Tiger book (a.k.a. The Essential Calvin and Hobbes).
Pa: Well, congratulations on your big finish.
Miloš: Thank you.
Pa: You are welcome.
Miloš: And ... Ted Hughes, this is a great book!
Pa: I am sure Sylvia Plath will be glad to hear it?
Miloš: Who's that?
Pa: Ted's dead girlfriend.
Miloš: Oh, I see. Thanks, Pa.
Pa: You I love.
Miloš: You me too.
May 3, 2015
I was thrilled when I got this copy of The Iron Man from my husband. I've always loved the movie The Iron Giant, and have it almost memorized in its entirety! I never knew that it was based on a book, nor that it was a book written by Ted Hughes!
I shamefully admit that this was my first Ted Hughes book, and although I enjoyed it, it was close to nothing like the movie. That put me off for many reasons, but the biggest being that I was reading it with the movie playing in my head, which was probably my mistake.
The Iron Man was more of a victim-turned-hero in this book than he was made to be in the movie, and the fighting scene at the end against the big black dragon from space was insanely brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the cleverness behind it.
I would recommend to all who decide to read this book and have watched the film adaptation beforehand to think of it as completely independent from the movie. Otherwise, you will find yourself disappointed, as did I.
I shamefully admit that this was my first Ted Hughes book, and although I enjoyed it, it was close to nothing like the movie. That put me off for many reasons, but the biggest being that I was reading it with the movie playing in my head, which was probably my mistake.
The Iron Man was more of a victim-turned-hero in this book than he was made to be in the movie, and the fighting scene at the end against the big black dragon from space was insanely brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the cleverness behind it.
I would recommend to all who decide to read this book and have watched the film adaptation beforehand to think of it as completely independent from the movie. Otherwise, you will find yourself disappointed, as did I.
August 19, 2011
I bought this book based purely on how much I loved Brad Bird's movie adaptation, The Iron Giant. And I think the excellence of the film completely overshadowed this book in my readings.
Hughes has a simple, lyrical style that works for younger readers. And he divides the chapters into episodes to make it easily digestible. However, the story itself has no real depth of character, and prefers to stay detached in describing the realm of the fantastic. We never really see Hogarth and the Giant become friends. And the appearance of the space dragon is an interesting trickster fairytale spin, but it doesn't fit organically with the previous episodes of the Iron Giant on Earth. If I hadn't watched the movie I would probably be more forgiving, because the story has its charms. But when compared to the animated classic, The Iron Giant seems smaller in comparison.
Hughes has a simple, lyrical style that works for younger readers. And he divides the chapters into episodes to make it easily digestible. However, the story itself has no real depth of character, and prefers to stay detached in describing the realm of the fantastic. We never really see Hogarth and the Giant become friends. And the appearance of the space dragon is an interesting trickster fairytale spin, but it doesn't fit organically with the previous episodes of the Iron Giant on Earth. If I hadn't watched the movie I would probably be more forgiving, because the story has its charms. But when compared to the animated classic, The Iron Giant seems smaller in comparison.
January 16, 2016
The book was as liquid as its animated movie.
Kinda reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia. Though the two couldn't be more further apart.
The book was a little different from the movie, by little I mean completely. But what a message at the end, wow. What a message. So amazing. Alas if only.
Funny thing. It was corrupted by them and yet it ended up curing them all.
Oh yeah, if Only. Sigh. But humanity. Sigh. I'd give this one ten stars rating.
September 24, 2023
3.5 stars. This is an odd short story. It’s as if Ted Hughes had a very vivid dream one night and then wrote this book about it. I liked the way it started, and the writing feels poetic (as you might expect), but the final section with the space lizard is an odd detour and it felt unkind. I was trying to work out if this story is a metaphor. Well, if it is, I don’t know what for. It’s just quirky. Interesting, but I didn’t love it. Apparently, the film, ‘The Iron Giant’ is based on this book and many people love it, so I might watch that if I see it listed.
April 18, 2021
A modern day fairy tale.
This book is special to me-It was a birthday gift from someone special and it gives me hope, its really short and sweet.
This book is special to me-It was a birthday gift from someone special and it gives me hope, its really short and sweet.
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May 1, 2012The Iron Man by Ted Hughes
The Iron Man: A Children’s Story In Five nights by Ted Hughes does indeed consist of five chapters; designed to be read a chapter per day, although some children may find it difficult to wait a whole day to hear more of this exciting story.
Set in a rural town, a town where a small boy called Hogarth goes fishing in the local stream only to come across an Iron Man. He forms a relationship with the Iron Man and he must save him from the adults. The fact that when he does tell the grown-ups that they believe him and are unsure what to do really makes this story thrilling for children as they realise they are on an even footing with the adults. It is Hogarth that helps when the adults wants to trap it and when the Earth is in it’s hour of need; prey to an enormous bat-angel creature from space that threatens to devour every living thing on the planet, it is again Hogarth, the child, that sees the only one that can help is the Iron Man. Children love this book as it has adventure, mystery and explores different relationships.
I think it is an excellent book to use as a stimulus in science or to create cross curricular links when reading it in literacy.
You can look at the properties of different materials. What might have happened if the ‘Iron Man’ was made of wood, plastic, fabric or jelly? Plan an experiment to test the strength of different materials. A lot of silhouette illustrations are used in the book so you can cross over with light and shadows in science and get the children to make their own shadow robot puppets.
For ICT you could make a stop motion animation based on the story.
The book is also an excellent basis for looking at harmony within the world and how peace is created. The Iron Man wants to bring peace to the world and so possibly in Year 6, you can look at what war does and how to create peace in the world. It could be the basis in a debate possibly for PHSE or even a philosophy lesson where the answer may not be possible to find.
The Iron Man: A Children’s Story In Five nights by Ted Hughes does indeed consist of five chapters; designed to be read a chapter per day, although some children may find it difficult to wait a whole day to hear more of this exciting story.
Set in a rural town, a town where a small boy called Hogarth goes fishing in the local stream only to come across an Iron Man. He forms a relationship with the Iron Man and he must save him from the adults. The fact that when he does tell the grown-ups that they believe him and are unsure what to do really makes this story thrilling for children as they realise they are on an even footing with the adults. It is Hogarth that helps when the adults wants to trap it and when the Earth is in it’s hour of need; prey to an enormous bat-angel creature from space that threatens to devour every living thing on the planet, it is again Hogarth, the child, that sees the only one that can help is the Iron Man. Children love this book as it has adventure, mystery and explores different relationships.
I think it is an excellent book to use as a stimulus in science or to create cross curricular links when reading it in literacy.
You can look at the properties of different materials. What might have happened if the ‘Iron Man’ was made of wood, plastic, fabric or jelly? Plan an experiment to test the strength of different materials. A lot of silhouette illustrations are used in the book so you can cross over with light and shadows in science and get the children to make their own shadow robot puppets.
For ICT you could make a stop motion animation based on the story.
The book is also an excellent basis for looking at harmony within the world and how peace is created. The Iron Man wants to bring peace to the world and so possibly in Year 6, you can look at what war does and how to create peace in the world. It could be the basis in a debate possibly for PHSE or even a philosophy lesson where the answer may not be possible to find.
September 23, 2023
3.5*
I have always remembered reading a book about an "Iron Man" when I was a kid but could never remember the title of the book.
Then I seen this on Amazon and it seemed so obvious.
A fun little story.
I have always remembered reading a book about an "Iron Man" when I was a kid but could never remember the title of the book.
Then I seen this on Amazon and it seemed so obvious.
A fun little story.
February 7, 2017
Whilst The Iron Man is a wonderfully descriptive and poetic story (there is a real sense of rhythm to Hughes' words which is lovely) the story itself seems to be composed of two separate halves. In the first half, we are introduced to the Iron Man, his fondness for eating anything steel and disrupting the farmers, etc. whilst the second half focuses on him during a test of strength with the space-bat-angel-dragon which has terrified residents and so the Iron Man seeks to make this dragon his slave if the creature loses the battle.
I feel Hughes could have really branched out his story after chapter three but instead he creates an entirely unrelated scenario which doesn't really add anything to the book. I didn't invest emotionally with the Iron Man but I think the main reason for this is the length of the story and left me feeling 'meh'.
It's a nice easy read to while away an hour but lacks any emotional punch to become a favourite.
I feel Hughes could have really branched out his story after chapter three but instead he creates an entirely unrelated scenario which doesn't really add anything to the book. I didn't invest emotionally with the Iron Man but I think the main reason for this is the length of the story and left me feeling 'meh'.
It's a nice easy read to while away an hour but lacks any emotional punch to become a favourite.
September 27, 2017
First let me say that I will not accept this as SF. It's a great story, a parable, a fable, a fantasy... but SF would keep track of relative sizes at the very least! And what about all that consumption; where is the matter going?
Second, I coulda sworn that I read it before. I know I enjoyed the movie. And of course the movie is very different (though also quite good). But I thought I read the story, and yet almost nothing rings a bell.
In any case, this oversized, artistically designed edition gives the story great metaphysical & poetic weight & import, as one would expect from the poet Hughes even in his prose. I don't particularly care for this kind of art, speaking for myself, but here it's both effective and appropriate.
Highly recommended.
Second, I coulda sworn that I read it before. I know I enjoyed the movie. And of course the movie is very different (though also quite good). But I thought I read the story, and yet almost nothing rings a bell.
In any case, this oversized, artistically designed edition gives the story great metaphysical & poetic weight & import, as one would expect from the poet Hughes even in his prose. I don't particularly care for this kind of art, speaking for myself, but here it's both effective and appropriate.
Highly recommended.
June 8, 2016
For a children's book (which isn't my favourite genre to read as an adult) this was pretty good. The prose is quite poetic and the story is engaging, both on the surface and at a deeper level. One to read with children, while still getting enjoyment yourself.
January 15, 2021
اقتباس انیمیشنش خیلی بهتره
June 10, 2012
I am about to start reading the Iron man with my year three class, and I cannot wait.
Having had the pleasure and vivid memories of being read this story by one of my own teachers when I was at school. I was a little apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy reading this book again, now that i am an adult. I need not have worried, Ted Hughes' writing is magical and this story was made to be read aloud. In fact I have enjoyed reading it so much, that over the half term holiday I read the story aloud to my partner on a long car journey to Wales. The suspense and the visual imagery that builds as you read, really is spectacular.
Having done my research, I am now aware of how Hughes came to write the Iron Man and it did not surprise me that the Iron Man was a story that Hughes made up over the course of five nights of storytelling to his children. After every part of the story he would go to his study and write it up just as he had told it. With this in mind it makes complete sense that the story reads aloud with such great ease and expression.
From this story I will be doing a series of 3 lessons this week. My first lesson will be about forming opinions based upon the theme of recycling. On Tuesday we will be building character portraits, based upon the first chapter we will observe how our visualisations of the Iron Man progress as the story unfolds. Wednesday will see us doing a picture the author activity where we find out about Ted Hughes and make links between our knowledge of how and why he wrote the story and his use of pace and language. Next week we will be looking at character empathy and comparing characters from different stories as we are currently reading the BFG as our shared reading book.
I would recommend this story as both a great book for reading for pleasure and also as a book to base a series of lessons on.
Having had the pleasure and vivid memories of being read this story by one of my own teachers when I was at school. I was a little apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy reading this book again, now that i am an adult. I need not have worried, Ted Hughes' writing is magical and this story was made to be read aloud. In fact I have enjoyed reading it so much, that over the half term holiday I read the story aloud to my partner on a long car journey to Wales. The suspense and the visual imagery that builds as you read, really is spectacular.
Having done my research, I am now aware of how Hughes came to write the Iron Man and it did not surprise me that the Iron Man was a story that Hughes made up over the course of five nights of storytelling to his children. After every part of the story he would go to his study and write it up just as he had told it. With this in mind it makes complete sense that the story reads aloud with such great ease and expression.
From this story I will be doing a series of 3 lessons this week. My first lesson will be about forming opinions based upon the theme of recycling. On Tuesday we will be building character portraits, based upon the first chapter we will observe how our visualisations of the Iron Man progress as the story unfolds. Wednesday will see us doing a picture the author activity where we find out about Ted Hughes and make links between our knowledge of how and why he wrote the story and his use of pace and language. Next week we will be looking at character empathy and comparing characters from different stories as we are currently reading the BFG as our shared reading book.
I would recommend this story as both a great book for reading for pleasure and also as a book to base a series of lessons on.
January 7, 2013
The Iron Man by Ted Hughes is a book that I came across due to the year four class I was placed in using the book for the basis of their Autumn terms literacy lessons. The Iron Man is a third person account of a metal eating iron giant who falls from space to impact on Hogarth's and the rest of the village's lives.
The book was used successfully as the basis for a combination of literacy lessons due to the authors use of many literary devices which the class were required to learn that term. It allowed the children to see how using devices such as metaphors, similes, climax and onomatopoeia could be used in their writing to make it more interesting to the reader. As well its use as being an example of creative writing, the Iron Man was used to teach other forms of writing such as newspaper reports, letter writing and persuasive argument. As the Iron Man is a short novel, the children were able to unpick the various themes within the book. The chapters are relatively short and all end with a climax, making the reader want to read on and the children begging for more.
I would recommend all primary teachers read the Iron Man as it can be very useful in the classroom. It is suitable for KS1 and KS2 with different themes having greater relevance for difference age groups.
The book was used successfully as the basis for a combination of literacy lessons due to the authors use of many literary devices which the class were required to learn that term. It allowed the children to see how using devices such as metaphors, similes, climax and onomatopoeia could be used in their writing to make it more interesting to the reader. As well its use as being an example of creative writing, the Iron Man was used to teach other forms of writing such as newspaper reports, letter writing and persuasive argument. As the Iron Man is a short novel, the children were able to unpick the various themes within the book. The chapters are relatively short and all end with a climax, making the reader want to read on and the children begging for more.
I would recommend all primary teachers read the Iron Man as it can be very useful in the classroom. It is suitable for KS1 and KS2 with different themes having greater relevance for difference age groups.
January 13, 2016
I had never read this story, published initially by the poet Ted Hughes in 1968, now republished illustrated colorfully and with plenty of fold outs and cutouts and every page almost jarringly different. A book that has a pretty surprising conclusion! It's not a warm story, or particularly inviting, initially, via its illustrations or story, but its pretty impressive, finally. I understand it is very popular in England, Hughes' home country. Here in the U.S., not so much, I believe. But I liked this version very much.
April 8, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Iron man by Ted Hughes. My favourite part was the ending because it made me happy and relieved for the Iron Man. At first some of the characters were scared but towards the ending they became happy. The characters in the book took the Iron man somewhere special. All this adventure made me want to keep on reading. There are a few illustrations in the book, which I thought were very good. This book made me feel excited when reading it because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.
March 2, 2025
You know how they say that adults can't see fairies, but kids can? That adults outgrow that magic ability? I think this book is a bit like that, referring to the storyline, anyway. What it does offer for adults are its poetic rhythms and a general sense of suspend-your-disbelief type wonder. It would be great fun to read aloud to a wide-eyed innocent.
Hm. Perhaps I do feel a twinge of fairy dust magic tingles.
Hm. Perhaps I do feel a twinge of fairy dust magic tingles.
May 21, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up
Those last two chapters were, ummm... something. This story was not what I expected. It was interesting, and would be great for kids just getting into chapter books, but there were aspects to it which didn't make a whole lot of sense.
P.S. I've never watched the movie, but from the clips I've seen this is QUITE a different story.
Those last two chapters were, ummm... something. This story was not what I expected. It was interesting, and would be great for kids just getting into chapter books, but there were aspects to it which didn't make a whole lot of sense.
P.S. I've never watched the movie, but from the clips I've seen this is QUITE a different story.
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