The Golden Ticket: Charlie Bucket is 50

Is there a child among us who didn't feel grateful to be more Charlie Bucket than Veruca Salt?

The good news always was that if you were reading the actual book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then surely you were more Charlie, and so you were safe from the fate that befalls the gluttonous, the greedy, the gum-chewing and the tv-obsessed.

If you were reading the book, then you had the Golden Ticket in your own hands, too.

I remember the first time I read the book, the relief I felt that the Oompa Loompas surely would never have cause to sing songs about me -- no, not me -- no songs about me getting what I deserved. 

It was a great book for a loner bookworm surrounded by rich brats getting what they wanted. The perfect book to reinforce what was Bucket -- quiet, humble, grateful, curious, joyful, thoughtful, hungry -- in me, in all of us.

Silly, but in many ways, although some people think the story dark and vengeful, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gave me hope. Yes, hope to my child heart that wished so much to have a shot, to get a chance, to be rewarded.

And chocolate, oh the chocolate!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is 50 this year, and so they're pulling out all the stops to celebrate Roald Dahl's creation. Of course, there's a 50th anniversary edition, but also a contest (see details below) and the gift of books to a deserving group, First Book, which, perfectly, provides new books to real-life Charlie Buckets.

Despite the several movie re-imaginings and the Broadway show, still, as usual, the book's the best. It has to be. Otherwise, what might the Oompa Loompas say?

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray

Go throw your TV set away,

And in its place you can install

A lovely bookshelf on the wall.

Then fill the shelves with lots of books,

Ignoring all the dirty looks,

The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,

And children hitting you with sticks –

Fear not, because we promise you

That, in about a week or two

Of having nothing else to do,

They’ll now begin to feel the need

Of having something good to read.

And one they start – oh boy, oh boy!

You watch the slowly growing joy

That fills their hearts. They’ll grow so keen

They’ll wonder what they’d ever seen

In that ridiculous machine,

That nauseating, foul, unclean,

Repulsive television screen.

And later, each and every kid,

Will love you more for what you did.

Maybe it's time to give Charlie a re-read, to peel back the wrapper and find your Golden Ticket. Go on: take a chance.

This post was inspired by the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Penguin Young Readers Group, in partnership with Dylan’s Candy Bar, the world-famous candy emporium, and First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides books for children from low-income families, is launching a year-long international celebration.

Head over to From Left to Write to learn how you and your child can have a chance to win the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes where the grand prize is a magical trip to New York City plus much more! For every entry submitted, Penguin Young Readers Group will make a donation to First Book. Then, join From Left to Write on July 24 as we discuss Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

As a book club member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.