Roald Dahl was a master of children’s storytelling and his legacy continues to thrive today. When it comes to Dahl’s characters, few of his creations are as memorably grotesque and hilariously vile as Mr. and Mrs. Twit. Readers were first introduced to The Twits in 1980 and it still remains a beloved classic, delighting generations with its unapologetically nasty protagonists and Dahl’s signature blend of dark humour and moral messaging. The Twits are not merely unpleasant – they are the exaggerated caricatures of cruelty, selfishness and filth. Mr. Twit’s beard is a buffet of old food scraps, while Mrs. Twit’s glass eye is used to terrify and torment. They live in a windowless house, hate children and spend their days playing mean-spirited pranks on each other and torturing the unfortunate Muggle-Wump monkeys. It’s a story that revels in its grotesquery while slyly nudging readers toward kindness and empathy.
Fast forward more than four decades and Greg James and Chris Smith have dared to revisit this twisted world with The Twits Next Door, a spirited and imaginative follow-up that introduces a new cast of characters to challenge the Twits’ reign of nastiness. Say hello to the Lovelies: Mr and Mrs Lovely and their ten-year-old twins, Ruff and Rumble. The Lovelies are polite, friendly, joyful, colourful and just brimming with happy positivity – they are the polar opposite of the Twits. When they move into the house next door to the Twits, the stage is set for a clash of epic proportions, as the Twits find themselves increasingly irked by their neighbours’ relentless cheerfulness and vibrant lifestyle.
As the story unfolds, war is declared. A prank war like no other is unleashed, a battle that will delight young page turners. The Twits, as expected, deploy their usual arsenal of revolting tricks. But the Lovelies’ counterattack with their own brand of happiness – their arsenal includes twinkle bombs, disco pants and an unshakable commitment to kindness. Readers who are well aware of the Twits nasty crankiness will be met with a clever twist on the original dynamic, flipping the script and showing that sometimes the best way to fight nastiness is with a massive overdose of loveliness. The Lovelies just don’t stoop to the Twits’ low level; instead, with their heads held high and kindness in their hearts, they rise above it, turning the tables with humour, heart and a touch of sparkle.
Overall, while I loved reading this story, for me it didn’t quite match the deliciously dark tone of Dahl’s original, but it does succeed in capturing the spirit of mischief and moral playfulness that made The Twits so enduring. Greg James and Chris Smith have done an fantastic job of resurrecting Dahl’s infamous nasty duo, staying true to their repulsive personalities while injecting fresh energy and modern sensibilities into the tale. With its fast-paced storytelling, it is packed with antics that build and escalate, culminating in a satisfying twist that reinforces the book’s central theme: kindness can be a powerful weapon, even against the most twisted of foes.
The story is fantastic, and the illustrations, by Emily Jones that are littered throughout the book, add another layer of charm, they are bursting with colour and character. Her artwork brings the Lovelies’ world to life in vivid contrast to the drab, dreary existence of the Twits and her visual storytelling enhances the humour and heart of the tale.
The Twits Next Door is so more than a sequel, it’s a delightful romp that honours Dahl’s legacy while carving out its own space in the world of children’s literature. It’s a book that will appeal to fans of the original and new readers alike, offering a fresh take on familiar characters while introducing new ones, and has a message that feels especially timely: don’t be a Twit – be lovely. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the laughs or the disco pants, this book is a joyful addition to any young reader’s bookshelf.
So grab your copy, curl up on the sofa, and prepare for a wild ride through pranks, positivity and poetic justice. And remember – check your spaghetti before you eat it. You never know what a Twit might have left behind.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99 (Hardback) / £7.99 (Paperback) / £3.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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