Stig of the Dump

I first read this book in school and really loved it. The story is about a small boy who goes to play in a chalk quarry near his grandmother's house and befriends a cave-man 'Stig' who lives there. They make a home for Stig about of sticks, stones and bottles and have various adventures. It really fascinated me then, and it's still interesting and funny today. I also loved the pen illustrations by Edward Ardizzone who was a gifted prize-winning illustrator of many childrens' books. Well worth reading.

In England, it was required of us to read Stig of the Dump at school. I am very glad of this because if it had not been required reading, I may not have had the pleasure of reading such a great story. Being a girl I always wanted to read typical girl books, and this book(at least from the title) would seem more for boys, but let me assure you it is a wonderful book for children of all ages. I am now reading it to my 6 year old daughter and she is loving it.

I first read this book as a seven year old in 1960. Through 20 years of teaching primary age pupils (7-11 years of age) I have read this to my class every year. It never fails to please. Easily split up into 'bedtime' or 'classtime' chunks, Stig, and his friend Barney will hold reader, and 'read-to' spellbound. Although English in style, it is translatable into other cultures easily...and the last chapter is truly magical. I give it 10 out of 10.!!

My 9 year old son is a good reader but doesn't usually choose books over sport. However, he loved Stig of the Dump and spent every possible minute reading. He finished it in a week. It's a classic from my childhood and I've now re-read it. We both recommend it to your children.

This is one of those children's books that is well known in one country but not another. In England it's a children's classic and in the US it's out of print! Stig of the Dump is the story of a little boy who discovers an Early Briton living in the chalk quarry on his grandmother's farm. They have lots of adventures together and each learns something from the other. Even the little boy's sister gets some time with his cro-magnon pal. In the end, they play an important role in Stig's Midsummer's Eve ceremony. Very sweet, lots of fun and terribly British.