The Twits

The Twits 

• Genre: Fiction; Children’s Literature; Humor 
• Originally Published: 1980 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 500L; grades 2-5 
• Structure/Length: Divided into 29 chapters; approximately 96 pages; approximately 58 minutes on audiobook.
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Mr. and Mrs. Twit are a spiteful, ugly, and malicious couple who enjoy playing cruel pranks on each other and mistreating animals, including their family of monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps. The central conflict arises from the Twits’ ongoing nasty behavior and the Muggle-Wumps’ plan—with the help of the Roly-Poly bird—to turn the tables on their captors. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of cruelty and revenge; depiction of unpleasant behavior and hygiene; animal captivity and mistreatment; mass generalizations related to culture, appearance and geographical origins 

Roald Dahl, Author 

• Bio: Born in 1916; died in 1990; British novelist, short story writer, poet, and screenwriter; one of the world's most beloved children’s authors; known for his wit, dark humor, and imaginative plots, often featuring children overcoming villainous adults. 
• Other Works: James and the Giant Peach (1961); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970); Matilda (1988)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Actions Have Consequences
• Teamwork Brings Us Together
• The Benefits of Quick Thinking

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the literary and sociological contexts related to the use of teamwork in defeating villainous characters, which incites the animals to rebel against the Twits.