What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bunjee Venture
Vintage book
Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Want to Read
July 24, 2019I remember reading this ages ago and all because of the creature who said "bunjee" and had toilet plunger feet
June 30, 2019
A reread of a childhood favorite (I guess I read it in the late 80s/early 90s?). It was a fun read all over again, though different things struck me as an adult. Why are there so few commas in the text? How amazing that the very first time they test the time machine, they go to 120 MILLION YEARS ago. None of these clowns should've been in charge of a time machine!
The 128-page book flies by, what with all the pterodactyls, man-eating flowers, and sentient jelly - thrilling!
Lots of fun, and in conclusion, EEP EEP EEP WARRA WARRA WARRA BUNJEEEEEEEE!
The 128-page book flies by, what with all the pterodactyls, man-eating flowers, and sentient jelly - thrilling!
Lots of fun, and in conclusion, EEP EEP EEP WARRA WARRA WARRA BUNJEEEEEEEE!
December 26, 2014
Ah, the Internet. It's like a big, barky tree to an itchy bear. You know, if you go back in time just a few years ago, we wouldn't have this wonderful resource. and I wouldn't have been able to scratch all these itches. I first read the Bunjee Venture when I was 8 years old. It might be the most beloved book of my childhood, and unlike many of those memories, this one holds up. McMurtry tells a wonderful adventure, and it's a shame he never wrote anything else.
Somewhere along the line I lost my copy. Worse, trying to find it at bookstores was impossible. It was as if it never existed. Every few years I would try again, and each time I came up empty.
But forward in time to the age of Google. I put in a few search parameters and learned I was calling it the wrong thing. Lo and behold, I found this delightful book. I was like Paddington in a padded room with a persistent prickling in my posterior. If I had been born a generation earlier, I would have died in that torment.
Since then I've reconnected with several books, games and movies. I'm grateful to be living in the modern era
Somewhere along the line I lost my copy. Worse, trying to find it at bookstores was impossible. It was as if it never existed. Every few years I would try again, and each time I came up empty.
But forward in time to the age of Google. I put in a few search parameters and learned I was calling it the wrong thing. Lo and behold, I found this delightful book. I was like Paddington in a padded room with a persistent prickling in my posterior. If I had been born a generation earlier, I would have died in that torment.
Since then I've reconnected with several books, games and movies. I'm grateful to be living in the modern era
February 18, 2024
As a child I read it over and over again. Something about it was just so special. A funny, feel good book that made me smile.
However, I’ve always had an unanswered question. There is one comment Bunjee says that I have been unable to decipher for over 40 years! I have now passed on this question to my daughter, we are both stumped.
Hope someone in this community can help.
The question is. After Bunjee climbs the cliff and eats the rotten eggs… he says :
“UGG” “AVEETIDAROTTIDEGG!”… translation is obviously “I’ve eaten a rotten egg” (page 61 on paperback edition)
A few lines later (page 62) he says “EEP, EEP, OWDRATANBOVVERASHUN!” … “AMASTOOPIDBUNJEE”
***What exactly is he saying with “OWDRATANBOVVERASHUN”?
We have many theories and on rainy days we pick up the book and try to figure it out. It always ends with us laughing at our frustration.
Please help.
Angie 😊
However, I’ve always had an unanswered question. There is one comment Bunjee says that I have been unable to decipher for over 40 years! I have now passed on this question to my daughter, we are both stumped.
Hope someone in this community can help.
The question is. After Bunjee climbs the cliff and eats the rotten eggs… he says :
“UGG” “AVEETIDAROTTIDEGG!”… translation is obviously “I’ve eaten a rotten egg” (page 61 on paperback edition)
A few lines later (page 62) he says “EEP, EEP, OWDRATANBOVVERASHUN!” … “AMASTOOPIDBUNJEE”
***What exactly is he saying with “OWDRATANBOVVERASHUN”?
We have many theories and on rainy days we pick up the book and try to figure it out. It always ends with us laughing at our frustration.
Please help.
Angie 😊
June 3, 2015
A read-aloud story for me now. First read as a kid, then read over and over again. Story of two kids who go back to dinosaur era to rescue their dad. Amidst all the expected too-big and scary stuff, there is a hilarious, friendly, hairy mammoth-type creature that is extremely intelligent, can float by puffing up its trunk, and climbs cliff faces with its suction-cup feet. My kids love it too.
September 3, 2016
A fun time travel adventure for kids. An old favourite of my husbands, he said I should read it. It's an action packed tale full of prehistoric animals and plants, and the mysterious Bunjee: an animal with suckers for feet and an inflating trunk to fly. Great book that any kids will enjoy.
February 24, 2010
I adored this book as a kid. It was so much fun to read, since the Bunjee puts no spaces between his words. A grand adventure to an 8-year-old.
December 31, 2018
Before anyone wonders why I gave this kid's book 5 stars I have to confess that this book came with an extreme amount of nostalgia for me. My 4th grade teacher read this book to us and for decades I've wondered what it was because I didn't remember the title. I remembered bits and pieces and in particular the description of the Bunjee character. Weeks ago I googled random search words again and finally found the book! I just finished re-reading this book and it was a fun time-traveling adventure. Kate and Andy face multiple dangers when trying to find their missing father and the friendship with the Bunjee creature becomes vital to their survival. Is it the most amazing kid's book out there? Probably not, but it was an enjoyable book to quickly re-read and I'm so pleased that after all these years I have my own copy! I wish I could tell my 4th grade teacher that the book she chose to read us all of those years ago stuck with me (likely influenced my appreciation for time-travel stories) and that I still remember it fondly.
August 5, 2021
Heartwarming, Action Packed, Imaginative, Quirky.
This has all the makings of a great short novel. It's quirky and funny, which will make you laugh. It's imaginative and well written which will stir your senses and imagination. It's action packed which will keep you reading. It's heartwarming which will make you want to cry and feel all sentimental. It has the wonderful and unforgettable and imaginative character the Bunjee. Even the parents are quirky in their own way. The kids are everyday kids going through a spectacular and perilous journey to save their dad. It's well written, easy and enjoyable to read.
This has all the makings of a great short novel. It's quirky and funny, which will make you laugh. It's imaginative and well written which will stir your senses and imagination. It's action packed which will keep you reading. It's heartwarming which will make you want to cry and feel all sentimental. It has the wonderful and unforgettable and imaginative character the Bunjee. Even the parents are quirky in their own way. The kids are everyday kids going through a spectacular and perilous journey to save their dad. It's well written, easy and enjoyable to read.
February 8, 2021
This was one of 3 of my most favorite books when I was a kid. I must have read this a couple dozen times.
October 29, 2011
I remembered this from an ABC afterschool special, the Great Bunjee Venture. When I saw this, I had to pick it up. Unfortunately it's average. Not bad, not good.
The father of two children invents a time machine, which of course, blows up and strands him back in time. His two children rebuild it to find him, and then encounter a Bunjee, a woolly mammoth like thing with suction cups for feet, a love of eggs, and THATTALKSLIKETHIS. The three deal with man eating plants, pteranosaurs, and other things back in the prehistoric era.
It doesn't stand out. I think it was better when adapted to animation, as the story just doesn't hook me. Your mileage may vary though. You can also see the animated adaption here at http://youtu.be/f_7XPErKIag while it is up.
The father of two children invents a time machine, which of course, blows up and strands him back in time. His two children rebuild it to find him, and then encounter a Bunjee, a woolly mammoth like thing with suction cups for feet, a love of eggs, and THATTALKSLIKETHIS. The three deal with man eating plants, pteranosaurs, and other things back in the prehistoric era.
It doesn't stand out. I think it was better when adapted to animation, as the story just doesn't hook me. Your mileage may vary though. You can also see the animated adaption here at http://youtu.be/f_7XPErKIag while it is up.
Read
October 2, 2008One of the first books which ever made me laugh completely helplessly. I remember chasing down my siblings (then probably two and five) and insisting they listen to me read it aloud, but I could never make it through more than three or four sentences without collapsing into hysteria. I re-read it many times as a kid before losing it in, I think, our first interstate move, but I can't bear the probability of ruining my memories by re-reading it as an adult....
April 29, 2009
I was mad about the Bunjee TV series as a kid! Imagine my delight when I found the book, so many years after watching it :) Didn't quite make up for wanting to see the TV series again, but still brought back lovely memories.
March 20, 2011
This was one of my fav books as a kid. Have been trying to find a copy for my son as he loves reading. The cartoon series did no justice for this great kids adventure book. Recommend to any kid. :)
March 23, 2007
Two kids travel back in time to find their father, who has invented a time machine that really works. They meet Bunjee, a long extinct creature. Loved this one!
August 13, 2007
a kid's book, but one of my favorites of all time from childhood. Featuring time travel, family ties, prehistoric maneating plants, and a great woolly mammoth-like creature who can speak :)
May 31, 2009
Painful. Unless you enjoy random nonsensical ramblings. Perfect for a five year old.
March 24, 2011
I read this in 4th grade - It was a Christmas present from my teacher. Awesome. Book!
May 15, 2011
I give this 5 stars because I remember being gaga for it when I was a kid.
May 28, 2013
Loved reading this book with the kiddos! They laughed and laughed!
July 3, 2013
i was read this by my teacher when i was about 10 years old, i remember it very fondly and couldnt wait for story time!
a must goodnight read for children, just a little each night!
a must goodnight read for children, just a little each night!
February 16, 2015
Third grade me gave this book five stars against the better judgment of adult me.
September 28, 2016
Loved this book as a kid!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews