About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to explore the lighter side of problem-solving and the lengths people go to for connection. Esio Trot is a gentle, whimsical tale that highlights the power of imagination and the sweet (if slightly mischievous) persistence of an elderly man named Mr. Hoppy. It is a perfect choice for children who love animals or for families looking for a Roald Dahl story that feels more like a warm hug than a dark adventure. While the book involves a clever bit of trickery, the heart of the story is about overcoming loneliness and finding creative ways to make someone smile. At just 55 pages with plenty of Quentin Blake's iconic illustrations, it is an accessible read that celebrates patience and the quiet magic found in everyday life. Parents will appreciate the clever wordplay (like the backwards language) which makes for a delightful shared reading experience.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
Parents should be aware that the plot centers on a significant deception: Mr. Hoppy permanently removes Mrs. Silver’s beloved pet, Alfie, and replaces him with a series of different tortoises without her knowledge or consent. While the book treats this as a whimsical joke and everyone ends up happy, a sensitive child might find the idea of a pet being taken away and replaced by a stranger to be distressing.
Ideal Reader
A 7-year-old who loves puzzles, animals, and seeing adults act a little bit silly. It is also perfect for a child who might feel intimidated by longer novels, as the pacing is quick and the layout is visual.
Parent Prep
Read the "Esio Trot" spell aloud once before reading to your child to get the rhythm of the backwards words right. It makes the performance much more fun. A parent might choose this if their child is frustrated by things not happening fast enough (like growing taller or learning a skill) and needs a humorous reminder about the passage of time.
Age Experience
Younger children (6-7) will find the physical comedy of the growing tortoise and the backwards words hilarious. Older children (9-10) may enjoy the irony of the situation and the logistical absurdity of Mr. Hoppy's tortoise collection.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Dahl books which feature villainous adults and victimized children, this is a rare, sweet look at two elderly characters finding companionship. It is Dahl at his most romantic and least cynical.
Read plot summary
Mr. Hoppy, a shy retired man, is deeply in love with his neighbor Mrs. Silver. Mrs. Silver's only focus is her small tortoise, Alfie, whom she wishes would grow larger. Mr. Hoppy concocts a plan: he gives her a "magic spell" (written in backwards English) and secretly replaces Alfie with slightly larger tortoises over several weeks to convince her the spell is working.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mr. Hoppy tells a lie to make Mrs. Silver happy. Do you think what he did was okay because it made her smile, or should he have told the truth?
2
If you had to write a magic spell backwards like 'Esio Trot,' what would your name look like?
3
Mr. Hoppy is very patient in waiting for his plan to work. Can you think of a time when you had to wait a long time for something you wanted?
4
Why do you think Mrs. Silver loved Alfie so much even before he started 'growing'?
