Esio Trot

Esio Trot is one of Roald Dahl's sweetest and funniest short stories, a gentle tale of love, cleverness and a great many tortoises, illustrated throughout by the much-loved Quentin Blake.

Shy Mr Hoppy lives in a flat above the charming Mrs Silver, and he has secretly adored her for years. Mrs Silver, however, only has eyes for one creature: her little pet tortoise, Alfie, who she wishes would grow bigger. Mr Hoppy longs to do something heroic that will finally win her heart, and one day a brilliantly sneaky idea pops into his head.

Armed with a made-up magic spell, a pile of cabbage leaves and an astonishing one hundred and forty tortoises, he sets out to help Alfie grow. Will his daring plan work, and will Mrs Silver ever notice the man upstairs?

Short, warm and full of Dahl's playful wordplay, including the backwards-spoken spell that gives the book its title, Esio Trot is perfect for reading aloud at bedtime or for confident young readers tackling a chapter book on their own. Children love the silly scheme, while grown-ups enjoy its quiet, old-fashioned romance.

Recommended for ages 6 and up. A wonderful introduction to Roald Dahl and an easy, cheerful gift for any young reader.

Available at Kitabi Chai Café & Book Store, Pune, and online with delivery across India.