Ted Hughes

Laura Carlin

At first the farmers try to rid themselves of the giant Iron Man until they find he will eat their scrap metal, and he becomes even more useful when he saves the world from being destroyed by an alien creature. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

The Iron Man

Andrew Davidson

When an iron giant topples over a cliff his scattered parts get up and try to search for each other.

Sarah Sammis

The Iron Man by Ted Hughes was re-titled The Iron Giant after the 1999 animated film was released with the new name. It's the story of a friendship between a giant robot and a young boy and also the danger that such a large sentient machine can pose.

The version I read was released when the film came out. Except for names and elevator pitch there is little else the film and the book have in common.

The most recent Iron Man edition has illustrations by Laura Carlin. From the few pages I've seen online her pictures seem to get to the heart of the story. If I were to re-read the book, I would want to read Carlin edition.

The book has episodic chapter with the robot crashing into the village and eventually being rebuilt. There's the town's fear of him and his friendship with the boy and then some chapters about the robot's own hopes and dreams.

I wish the film edition hadn't used the film's title. There's nothing wrong with just putting, "the book that inspired the film" on the cover and leaving it at that. The changed title altered my expectations.

The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows. Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. Then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world.

sara louise

3.5 stars
I read this in one sitting, such a wholesome story and an incredible edition with beautiful illustrations!

Millie Eaton

Mankind for has polluted the seas, lakes and rivers. The Iron Woman has come to take revenge. Lucy understands the Iron Woman's rage and she too wants to save the water creatures from their painful deaths. But she also wants to save her town from total destruction. She needs help. Who better to call on but Hogarth and the Iron Man . . .? A sequel and companion volume to Ted Hughes' The Iron Man, this new, child-friendly setting will be treasured by a new generation of readers.

The Iron Man

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