1966 will always be remembered for England winning The World Cup. But it was also the year in which Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger was published. Roald Dahl is considered by many to be one of the greatest children’s book authors. As someone who was described on school reports as “… an indolent and illiterate member of the class” and “Consistently idle. Ideas limited” it is a good testament to what you can achieve with hard work and perseverance. Anyway, back to 1966 – no not the football, but this fun fantasy novel.
The Magic Finger is a children’s fantasy book aimed at readers age 5-7 years old, although personally I think that it is great at any age. What would you do if you had the power to change people – and I do mean literally change people – just by pointing your finger at them? Would you do it? Well, in The Magic Finger, an 8-year-old girl whose name we never find out, has this power and she’s not afraid to use it when she sees injustice. It is a story about hunting, anger, compassion, kindness and forgiveness.
Now, this unnamed girl who is narrating the story is NOT telling her story, although how cool would that be?, but she is telling the story of her neighbours – The Greggs.
The Greggs, Mr & Mrs Gregg and their sons, 11 year old William and 8 year old Phillip, are a hunting-obsessed family. They don’t just hunt for food; they hunt for FUN – shooting ducks without a second thought. Not a very nice thing to do. The girl doesn’t like them hunting for the thrill of it and the red mist comes down. But she doesn’t scream, shout or argue – out comes The Magic Finger. And trust me, you don’t want that thing pointing at you. The Greggs soon found this out when they find themselves with wings instead of arms and shrunk to bird size. And the ducks they hunted have now taken over their home!
Overall, The Magic Finger is a captivating and fun story. Dahl’s expressive use of language is simple but rich and easy to read, the witty humour is imaginative and engrossing. Dahl has an excellent use of language that appeals to both children and adults. With the humour there is also a very strong message about kindness and empathy.
Whilst at first glance the story comes across as a girl, her anger and her magic finger that punishes people, the underlying story is one of compassion, kindness and forgiveness. The Greggs start the story having no compassion for animals, but after the Magic Finger turns the tables and spending a night living as ducks, they learn compassion and change their ways.
The Magic Finger is a wonderful story to help young readers understand that the hunting of animals for sport is wrong and that the actions you take can have a massive impact. By reversing the roles of The Greggs and ducks, it shows how looking at things from the other point of view can bring things into focus with crystal-clear clarity.
And the fun doesn’t stop there, what’s a Roald Dahl book without Quentin Blake’s delightful illustrations? His expressive drawings make the story even more entertaining, as they capture the hilarious absurdity of the Greggs’ transformation. Whether it’s humans with feathers or ducks reclaiming their space, Blake’s artwork adds an extra layer of charm.
Why Kids Will Love It
- Short and fast-paced – Perfect for young readers who want an exciting adventure without a long commitment.
- Funny and unpredictable – The idea of people turning into birds? Hilarious!
- Thought-provoking – Beneath the laughs, Dahl delivers a meaningful message about compassion and the impact of our actions.
The Magic Finger is a brilliant, fun and quirky little story that despite being published nearly 60 years ago is still relevant in todays world, reminding us that kindness (and maybe even a little magic) can change the world.
A thought-provoking read that is still fun and still relevant.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback) / £3.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit www.roalddahl.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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