What do you think?
Rate this book
Great Expectations
OLD books get NEW doodles - it's the classics as you've never seen them before! A hilarious new series that brings the classics to life with illustrations by Jack Noel. Perfect for fans of Tom Gates, Wimpy Kid and Dav Pilkey. And Charles Dickens. WHAT THE DICKENS? Ten-year-old Pip gets the fright of his life when he meets an escaped convict in a spooky graveyard. And that's just the beginning of an adventure that will lead him to a house full of secrets, a strange old lady and a journey to the big city to seek his fortune. But Pip is in for a BIG surprise . . . Join Pip in a rip-roaring story of family secrets, scary grannies and a REALLY annoying big sister in COMIC CLASSICS: GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens and Jack Noel. Look out for more COMIC CLASSICS: TREASURE ISLAND will have you HOOKED! Climb aboard with Jim Hawkins, a chatty parrot and a bunch of crazy pirates for a hilarious adventure across the seven seas. Get on the trail of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Solve the case with Holmes and Watson in a thrilling tale of mystery, murder and things that go woof in the night. Jack Noel is a Jack of three trades: author, illustrator, designer, who works mainly on children's books and is a co-host on the Down the Rabbit Hole children's books podcast. Once upon a time Jack sent this tweet, and rest is history (history with doodles): https://twitter.com/jackdraws/status/...
272 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2020
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 7, 2021
An Outstanding adaptation. It Makes the story accessible for children.
March 11, 2021
Wat grappig, leuk, en goed vertaald! Wat een heerlijke cheat om Great Expectations even snel te lezen!
January 25, 2022
It caught my eye while I was sorting through books at the school I work at.
It's funny, entertaining and a quick read. It's great if you have a child who enjoys reading or you want to get them into reading because it has great illustrations.
It's funny, entertaining and a quick read. It's great if you have a child who enjoys reading or you want to get them into reading because it has great illustrations.
May 11, 2020
What a fabulous way to get kids into Charles Dickens books. I loved Charles Dickens when I was a nipper but the subjects that they cover can be quite heavy. Jack Noel has changed that with his modern approach which includes his brilliant artwork and modern equivalent explanations to words and situations that are in the book. What I really love is that Jack Noel never changes the way that the original was written by Dickens he has just made it more appealing to a much larger audience.
There are even little memory joggers when a character has made a brief appearance earlier in the book and then comes back into the story much further in the story. Like, Do you remember him on page 16? I really had to laugh at some of the comparisons, it is all so very entertaining. Although this story has been lightened in so many amazing ways it still has those heart-thumping moments too and the grim reality of the harsh living conditions of the time.
This is a brilliant start to what I can only see as being a real hit with young readers. If readers enjoy books by David Walliams then do give this a go. There are further books coming too, Treasure Island and Hound of the Baskervilles. An excellent start!
There are even little memory joggers when a character has made a brief appearance earlier in the book and then comes back into the story much further in the story. Like, Do you remember him on page 16? I really had to laugh at some of the comparisons, it is all so very entertaining. Although this story has been lightened in so many amazing ways it still has those heart-thumping moments too and the grim reality of the harsh living conditions of the time.
This is a brilliant start to what I can only see as being a real hit with young readers. If readers enjoy books by David Walliams then do give this a go. There are further books coming too, Treasure Island and Hound of the Baskervilles. An excellent start!
June 3, 2020
This is a wonderfully imaginative way to introduce young readers to the remarkable storytelling of one of our greatest novelists. It’s faithful to the original, uses Dickens’ own text and is educational in a delightfully unobtrusive way. A far cry indeed from the abridged classics I struggled to read at the age of 10 some 50 years ago.
The story is greatly simplified, of course, but the main elements are all there and presented in a way that will surely captivate every child who opens the book. The doodles, illustrations and little explanations of unfamiliar vocabulary and phrases are simply inspired and make every page an adventure. And I love the prolific humour, which is perfect for engaging with the targeted age group.
Additional kudos to Jack Noel for presenting Estella as black. Why not? There is no physical description of her in the original, other than to say she’s very beautiful. What a lovely way to modernize the story and give it a more progressive feel.
To parents: I really would recommend reading this book alongside your child. There’s so much to discuss, above and beyond the story itself. It really is a truly wonderful opportunity to share a new and exciting discovery. I hope Jack Noel goes on to do many more books in this series.
The story is greatly simplified, of course, but the main elements are all there and presented in a way that will surely captivate every child who opens the book. The doodles, illustrations and little explanations of unfamiliar vocabulary and phrases are simply inspired and make every page an adventure. And I love the prolific humour, which is perfect for engaging with the targeted age group.
Additional kudos to Jack Noel for presenting Estella as black. Why not? There is no physical description of her in the original, other than to say she’s very beautiful. What a lovely way to modernize the story and give it a more progressive feel.
To parents: I really would recommend reading this book alongside your child. There’s so much to discuss, above and beyond the story itself. It really is a truly wonderful opportunity to share a new and exciting discovery. I hope Jack Noel goes on to do many more books in this series.
March 23, 2021
What would Charles Dickens say?
Jack Noel clearly cares about the original work and is faithful to Dicken's storyline. He adds his own sense of humor to the amusing illustrations in this rapid retelling. It can never replace the depth of the novel, but okay as a refresher or overview.
Jack Noel clearly cares about the original work and is faithful to Dicken's storyline. He adds his own sense of humor to the amusing illustrations in this rapid retelling. It can never replace the depth of the novel, but okay as a refresher or overview.
July 17, 2021
Bijzonder, zo’n herschreven klassieker. Zoon van zeven en ik hebben van het wat bevreemdende verhaal genoten.
July 26, 2022
Excellent as an introduction of younger readers to Dickens. Funny, accesible & witty.
October 13, 2023
A great adaptation for younger readers of a great novel.
July 3, 2024
I'm giving this a 4 for Jack Noel, not for Dickens. A total crack pot of a story. But thanks to this both me and my son have finally read Dickens!
More please!
More please!
January 15, 2026
I remembered parts of this from high school and loved reading this kid friendly version to my tween.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews