Horn Book (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

This edition of the classic story contains an interview with the author and sketches by Quentin Blake that are lively and humorous--but not quite as magical as Nancy Ekholm Burkert's original illustrations of James's adventures.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Irons joins the parade of British stars offering renditions of Dahl's work and gives a fine presentation of one of the author's most vivid fantasy stories. A chipper pace instantly engages listeners and brings pitch-perfect nuance to Dahl's phrasing. Moving nimbly among quirky characters—James's cackling aunt, a guttural centipede or snobbish, locked-jaw grasshopper—Irons amplifies this adventure of a sweet, orphaned boy who travels afar inside a magical giant peach with a cast of gigantic but friendly insects. As with many of Dahl's books, the pure-of-heart child prevails while wicked, dimwitted adults get their due. Dahl fans, Anglophiles and even those new to audio will likely delight in these proceedings. Ages 8-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Aug.)

ALA Booklist (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 1996)

Knopf has reissued James with new pen-and-ink artwork. The art here is pure Smith, lots of geometric shapings and Stinky Cheese Man style faces. Kids new to the story or fresh from the movie won't mind a bit, but the contemporary artwork may cause a sigh among older readers who are fans of Nancy Burkert's delicate and detailed illustrations. Libraries that buy this may want to hold onto their original copies as well.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-The classic children's book by Roald Dahl ( Knopf, 1961) receives royal treatment in this terrific audiobook production. James Henry Trotter, a poor orphan, is being raised by two horrible aunts. Magic crystals change his humdrum existence, and soon he is off on a great adventure on a giant peach with new friends who are, to say the least, unique. There are sharks, seagulls, and irate cloud people to add interest along the way and, of course, Dahl's irreverent poetry. The story has always been a crowd-pleaser, and Jeremy Irons does more than read the story-he performs it. Each character has a unique voice, aptly suiting each personality, and Irons tells the story with humor and energy. Fans of Dahl will not be disappointed in this briskly paced tale that is a delight from beginning to end.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.