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The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Who needs a ladder when you’ve got a giraffe with an extended neck?
The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn't. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.
Billy's biggest wish is to turn a weird old wooden house into a wonderful sweet shop. But then he finds a giraffe, a pelly and a monkey living inside - Now they're the Ladderless Window Cleaning Company! They become best friends, and now that they have a promising job to carrout out, there's a chance that Billy's scrumptious, galumptious dream just might come true...
Roald Dahl, is the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more timeless classics for children. Besides keeping millions of readers entertained for years, these delightfully disturbing tales have recently been turned into hit films, helping to continue to make millions of children & adults alike shiver with his unique stories.
The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn't. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.
Billy's biggest wish is to turn a weird old wooden house into a wonderful sweet shop. But then he finds a giraffe, a pelly and a monkey living inside - Now they're the Ladderless Window Cleaning Company! They become best friends, and now that they have a promising job to carrout out, there's a chance that Billy's scrumptious, galumptious dream just might come true...
Roald Dahl, is the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more timeless classics for children. Besides keeping millions of readers entertained for years, these delightfully disturbing tales have recently been turned into hit films, helping to continue to make millions of children & adults alike shiver with his unique stories.
- GenresChildrens
73 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2017
Another Dahl book read with my two daughters.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Roald Dahl must have enjoyed some seriously powerful LSD when he wrote this little book. A giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey own a window washing company and are stumbled upon by a little boy who wants to own a candy store. Minutes later, the animal window washing company is swooped off to the property of a Duke. While cleaning his windows (and breaking into song - repeatedly), the pelican spots a robber stealing millions of dollars in diamonds and so swoops the thief into his mouth. He's then shot and thus ending his window washing career but it's okay because the Duke invites the three animals to live on his land while the boy is able to return home and open his candy factory with the money given by the Duke.
That's the story and I explain it as if it reads as rationally as stated. It doesn't. I love Dahl but this is the strangest story I've read in a long, long time. Predictably, the four-year-old loved it.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Roald Dahl must have enjoyed some seriously powerful LSD when he wrote this little book. A giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey own a window washing company and are stumbled upon by a little boy who wants to own a candy store. Minutes later, the animal window washing company is swooped off to the property of a Duke. While cleaning his windows (and breaking into song - repeatedly), the pelican spots a robber stealing millions of dollars in diamonds and so swoops the thief into his mouth. He's then shot and thus ending his window washing career but it's okay because the Duke invites the three animals to live on his land while the boy is able to return home and open his candy factory with the money given by the Duke.
That's the story and I explain it as if it reads as rationally as stated. It doesn't. I love Dahl but this is the strangest story I've read in a long, long time. Predictably, the four-year-old loved it.
August 31, 2017
A lovely little read!
July 23, 2016
My 7 yr. old grandson, Trevor and I read this in two evenings and we loved it! Totally delightful! The whole story brought to life by Roald Dahl’s favorite illustrator, Quentin Blake!
Young Billy meets new friends: giraffe, a pelican, and a one very industrious monkey. Their goal is to make enough money to restore the defunct “sweet shop” to its wonderful “scrumptious-galumptious” glory…after all, where else could you get famous Willy Wonka Rainbow Drops, “suck them and you can spit in seven different colours.”
The solution is obvious - open a window cleaning business. That’s when the team meets His Grace the Duke of Hampshire and his wife, the massive, world-famous opera singer has-been, Henrietta.
This whole story is hilariously fun! Definitely a Roald Dahl favorite for both of us!
PS - When you come to Henrietta’s “My diamonds…” opera sing it nice and loud to the tune of “My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean”. Ever so much fun!
Young Billy meets new friends: giraffe, a pelican, and a one very industrious monkey. Their goal is to make enough money to restore the defunct “sweet shop” to its wonderful “scrumptious-galumptious” glory…after all, where else could you get famous Willy Wonka Rainbow Drops, “suck them and you can spit in seven different colours.”
The solution is obvious - open a window cleaning business. That’s when the team meets His Grace the Duke of Hampshire and his wife, the massive, world-famous opera singer has-been, Henrietta.
This whole story is hilariously fun! Definitely a Roald Dahl favorite for both of us!
PS - When you come to Henrietta’s “My diamonds…” opera sing it nice and loud to the tune of “My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean”. Ever so much fun!
April 22, 2025
I sincerely adore Roald Dahl's writing and Quentin Blake's illustrations. I can always count on one of their collaborations to make me smile and/or laugh.
I have read several Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake books, but I had never read this one. I am so glad that I decided to read one I hadn't read before instead of re-reading Mathilda or The BFG.
"We will polish your glass
Till it's shining like brass
And it sparkles like sun on the sea!
We are quick and polite,
We will come day or night,
The Giraffe and the Pelly and me!"
I have read several Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake books, but I had never read this one. I am so glad that I decided to read one I hadn't read before instead of re-reading Mathilda or The BFG.
"We will polish your glass
Till it's shining like brass
And it sparkles like sun on the sea!
We are quick and polite,
We will come day or night,
The Giraffe and the Pelly and me!"
May 14, 2020
I never read this as a child, instead I've decided to re-read the Dahl books I did read as a child as well as those I didnt. This was obviously aimed at very young children and whilst a quick read (finished it in about an hour) was entertaining enough to tick it off my to-do list, I doubt I would reach for it again without a child to read it to.
December 30, 2015
Fun, quick read.
July 30, 2016
Funny and clever written story
November 25, 2017
It was good
February 26, 2018
Good, short read of a book. It wasn't in my top favorites so far, but definitely a cute story.
September 30, 2018
A cute short story. I like all the random candy names listed in the book.
December 14, 2018
Is there any Ronald dahl fans like me out there?!
July 24, 2023
Good but don't repeat it
March 13, 2025
Not his most amazing story but very creative.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews