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Stig of the Dump
Barney is a solitary eight-year-old, given to wandering off by himself. One day he is lying on the edge of disused chalk-pit when he tumbles over, lands in a sort of cave, and meets' somebody with a lot of shaggy hair and two bright black eyes' - wearing a rabbit-skin and speaking in grunts. He names him Stig. They learn to understand one another, and together they raid the rubbish dump at the bottom of the pit, improve Stig's cave dwelling, and enjoy a series of adventures that are sometimes wildly improbably and sometimes extremely practical.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
247 people are currently reading
2906 people want to read
About the author
Clive King
34 books24 followersDavid Clive King was born in Richmond, Surrey in 1924. In 1926 he moved with his parents to Oliver's Farm, Ash, Kent, on the North Downs, alongside which was an abandoned chalk-pit. His early education was at a private infant school where one of the teachers, Miss Brodie, claimed to have taught Christopher Robin Milne, and introduced Clive to stories about Stone Age people. Thereafter he went to King's School, Rochester, Downing College, Cambridge, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.
From 1943 to 1947 he served in the Royal Navy, voyaging to Iceland, twice to the Russian Arctic, to India, Sri Lanka, Australia, East Indies, Malaysia and Japan, where he observed the ruins of Hiroshima within months of its destruction. Civilian postings as an officer of the British Council took him to Amsterdam, Belfast, Aleppo, Damascus (styled as Visiting Professor to the University), Beirut, Dhaka and Madras, and gave opportunities for independent travel between these places and England. Several of these exotic places provided material for his nineteen children's stories, but his best-known book STIG OF THE DUMP he wrote in an educational job at Rye, East Sussex. The BBC broadcast a new television adaptation in early 2002.
Married, divorced and married again, Clive King has three children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
From 1943 to 1947 he served in the Royal Navy, voyaging to Iceland, twice to the Russian Arctic, to India, Sri Lanka, Australia, East Indies, Malaysia and Japan, where he observed the ruins of Hiroshima within months of its destruction. Civilian postings as an officer of the British Council took him to Amsterdam, Belfast, Aleppo, Damascus (styled as Visiting Professor to the University), Beirut, Dhaka and Madras, and gave opportunities for independent travel between these places and England. Several of these exotic places provided material for his nineteen children's stories, but his best-known book STIG OF THE DUMP he wrote in an educational job at Rye, East Sussex. The BBC broadcast a new television adaptation in early 2002.
Married, divorced and married again, Clive King has three children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
May 16, 2019
Another great book from my school days. Stig Of The Dump was adapted into a mini series on TV and I used to rush home from school to watch it. This was before even video recording was available to the public so, one had to watch it while is was airing. I had an evening paper round and at least once a week; blame Stig Of The Dump; I was very late. Shop keeper never understood. I lied and told him I had chess club which was half true but, on a different day. 👍🐯
September 18, 2014
This book surprised me. I was expecting it to be a simple, fun, mildly enjoyable read, which I would have better appreciated had I read it at 9 years old (which is when everyone else seemed to read it). Instead, I was wowed by the levels of humour and social commentary and astute observation and depth within this story.
I love it when children's books show insights into how kids' minds work - so often they are so focused on the child being a strong person that the odd little quirks and vulnerabilities and irrationalities of childhood are overlooked. But Barney is a simply an incredibly believable child, clearly written by someone very familiar with children. For instance, he hides in a tree one day, finding great amusement that his grandmother and older sister can't find him - he keeps silent when they call for him, and then, when they go out without him, he gets very indignant, blaming them for being mean and leaving him out. This whole random hiding just for fun, and taking offence at something that was really his fault - that just struck me as so very typical of a child, and not the sort of thing that is normally included in kids' books. You'd never see a 'decent' Enid Blyton character acting in such a silly way!
And what really impressed me was Barney's reaction when no one believes him about Stig. There are lots of children's books about kids who find something magic and the adults don't believe them, and the children are indignant and they know without a doubt that they are right and the adults are wrong. But Barney - he starts to doubt himself. If adults are telling him it's his imagination, well maybe it is - maybe it's possible for an experience to be imagination. He really doesn't know - and I liked that aspect, because I fnd in reality children do doubt things if everyone else is convinced that they are mistaken, or that such thiings aren't possible.
I knew beforehand that this was a book about a boy who finds a caveman in a dump and they become friends - it's quite a well-known book. What I wasn't expecting was how creatively the author would use this whole concept. Stig has built himself a den and he uses the things people throw onto the dump. Barney is fascinated at how old junk can be used in completely different ways from how it was intended. Stig also doesn't talk, so Barney has to find ways to communicate with him. Meeting Stig causes Barney to start to think in new, creative ways - he wants to help Stig build a chimney and windows, for instance, and has to think of an unconventional way to do this. It's also a bit strange and amusing for him that Stig is so tough and strong on the one hand, but also so unfamiliar with everyday things on the other hand, so Barney starts to see things from a new perspective as he has to explain them (and without words) to Stig.
The social commentary is very entertaining. Barney is clearly a bit of a posh boy, from an upper middle class family. There's a fox hunt, which he's too young to join, but he decides to go unofficially with Stig. Things don't go to plan when Stig kills a pheasant, but refuses to kill a fox when he has the chance. Barney is worried because killing pheasants isn't very sporting, but Stig communicates to him that foxes don't taste good, whereas pheasants do. And of course Stig's logic makes more sense - he kills for food, not for sport.
And then there's a scene when Barney sees some other boys playing in the dump - rough boys whose clothes are more tattered than his, who have long hair, and who talk with a Cockney accent. Basically, boys of a lower social class than his, who have a reputation for causing trouble. I wasn't sure what to expect here - I wondered if it would descend into stereotypes, but in fact it deftly turns the stereotypes on their head. The boys start chasing Barney and threatening to hurt him - but then, the reason they are doing this is because Barney started it. He wasn't happy that they were in the dump, and threw clods of earth onto their little hideout. What I really like is that the author never comments on whether characters have been good or bad or to blame for something (neither directly nor through a favoured character who speaks on his behalf) - he just tells the story. And Barney is always uncertain - are these mean boys or are they just playing? Now, of course, Stig gets involved in the spat, to stand up for Barney, and on the one hand Barney is delighted to have such a strong, scary friend, but on the other, he realises that Stig could really hurt them, and they are just little boys. And he realises too that Stig is actually a lot more 'rough' than these boys!
I found the ending rather bizarre - but not in a bad way. It was definitely a unique story and I really enjoyed it - lots of laugh-out-loud moments. Stig experiencing jelly babies for the first time was great!
I love it when children's books show insights into how kids' minds work - so often they are so focused on the child being a strong person that the odd little quirks and vulnerabilities and irrationalities of childhood are overlooked. But Barney is a simply an incredibly believable child, clearly written by someone very familiar with children. For instance, he hides in a tree one day, finding great amusement that his grandmother and older sister can't find him - he keeps silent when they call for him, and then, when they go out without him, he gets very indignant, blaming them for being mean and leaving him out. This whole random hiding just for fun, and taking offence at something that was really his fault - that just struck me as so very typical of a child, and not the sort of thing that is normally included in kids' books. You'd never see a 'decent' Enid Blyton character acting in such a silly way!
And what really impressed me was Barney's reaction when no one believes him about Stig. There are lots of children's books about kids who find something magic and the adults don't believe them, and the children are indignant and they know without a doubt that they are right and the adults are wrong. But Barney - he starts to doubt himself. If adults are telling him it's his imagination, well maybe it is - maybe it's possible for an experience to be imagination. He really doesn't know - and I liked that aspect, because I fnd in reality children do doubt things if everyone else is convinced that they are mistaken, or that such thiings aren't possible.
I knew beforehand that this was a book about a boy who finds a caveman in a dump and they become friends - it's quite a well-known book. What I wasn't expecting was how creatively the author would use this whole concept. Stig has built himself a den and he uses the things people throw onto the dump. Barney is fascinated at how old junk can be used in completely different ways from how it was intended. Stig also doesn't talk, so Barney has to find ways to communicate with him. Meeting Stig causes Barney to start to think in new, creative ways - he wants to help Stig build a chimney and windows, for instance, and has to think of an unconventional way to do this. It's also a bit strange and amusing for him that Stig is so tough and strong on the one hand, but also so unfamiliar with everyday things on the other hand, so Barney starts to see things from a new perspective as he has to explain them (and without words) to Stig.
The social commentary is very entertaining. Barney is clearly a bit of a posh boy, from an upper middle class family. There's a fox hunt, which he's too young to join, but he decides to go unofficially with Stig. Things don't go to plan when Stig kills a pheasant, but refuses to kill a fox when he has the chance. Barney is worried because killing pheasants isn't very sporting, but Stig communicates to him that foxes don't taste good, whereas pheasants do. And of course Stig's logic makes more sense - he kills for food, not for sport.
And then there's a scene when Barney sees some other boys playing in the dump - rough boys whose clothes are more tattered than his, who have long hair, and who talk with a Cockney accent. Basically, boys of a lower social class than his, who have a reputation for causing trouble. I wasn't sure what to expect here - I wondered if it would descend into stereotypes, but in fact it deftly turns the stereotypes on their head. The boys start chasing Barney and threatening to hurt him - but then, the reason they are doing this is because Barney started it. He wasn't happy that they were in the dump, and threw clods of earth onto their little hideout. What I really like is that the author never comments on whether characters have been good or bad or to blame for something (neither directly nor through a favoured character who speaks on his behalf) - he just tells the story. And Barney is always uncertain - are these mean boys or are they just playing? Now, of course, Stig gets involved in the spat, to stand up for Barney, and on the one hand Barney is delighted to have such a strong, scary friend, but on the other, he realises that Stig could really hurt them, and they are just little boys. And he realises too that Stig is actually a lot more 'rough' than these boys!
I found the ending rather bizarre - but not in a bad way. It was definitely a unique story and I really enjoyed it - lots of laugh-out-loud moments. Stig experiencing jelly babies for the first time was great!
July 13, 2018
I remember this fondly from when I was a little boy.
RIP Clive King
"Stig of the Dump has never been out of print and has sold more than 2 million copies since it was published in 1963."
RIP Clive King
"Stig of the Dump has never been out of print and has sold more than 2 million copies since it was published in 1963."
August 16, 2021
This was a return to a book I remembered fondly from my childhood (I remembered the book fondly; I couldn’t stand the tv adaptation) which is always risky.
In this case, I found I still really enjoyed it, although it held a couple of surprises. I had completely forgotten it was set a few towns away from where I live, for starters, which isn’t something you’d think I’d forget but my memory is famously awful. (Sometimes I wonder why I bother reading at all, my recall is so bad, but then I remember it’s because I enjoy it at the time.)
The other thing I’d forgotten (or, perhaps, it didn’t register at all when I was a kid) is how wealthy the protagonist’s family are. His sister goes off fox hunting at one point, so they’re clearly loaded. Coming from a considerably lower socioeconomic bracket myself, I’d’ve thought this would have alienated me a little, but I suppose I just wasn’t as aware of these differences at the tender age I first read the book. Either that or I was so interested in the fantasy premise I was happy to ignore it.
Recall’s a funny thing at the best of times and mine’s gotten seriously worse since I had my stroke. There were parts of this book I was reciting word-for-word along with the audiobook and there were other parts I didn’t remember at all. Part of the joy of rereading, I suppose.
Anyway, I enjoyed revisiting Stig and am now tempted to try some of the author’s other books.
My next book: Mr. Dizzy
In this case, I found I still really enjoyed it, although it held a couple of surprises. I had completely forgotten it was set a few towns away from where I live, for starters, which isn’t something you’d think I’d forget but my memory is famously awful. (Sometimes I wonder why I bother reading at all, my recall is so bad, but then I remember it’s because I enjoy it at the time.)
The other thing I’d forgotten (or, perhaps, it didn’t register at all when I was a kid) is how wealthy the protagonist’s family are. His sister goes off fox hunting at one point, so they’re clearly loaded. Coming from a considerably lower socioeconomic bracket myself, I’d’ve thought this would have alienated me a little, but I suppose I just wasn’t as aware of these differences at the tender age I first read the book. Either that or I was so interested in the fantasy premise I was happy to ignore it.
Recall’s a funny thing at the best of times and mine’s gotten seriously worse since I had my stroke. There were parts of this book I was reciting word-for-word along with the audiobook and there were other parts I didn’t remember at all. Part of the joy of rereading, I suppose.
Anyway, I enjoyed revisiting Stig and am now tempted to try some of the author’s other books.
My next book: Mr. Dizzy
June 27, 2019
My son LOVED this when he was a kid. I picked it up, curious to find out why, it being the Daily Deal at Audible.uk 2019-05-30.
I have given it three stars, but for kids or young adult readers I highly recommend it! It’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s amusing. It teaches the value of creative thought, imagination, generosity and sharing, of doing things out in the fresh air, together with friends. It will have your kids making things out of scraps and odds and ends. It speaks of friendship and promotes curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and daring. Kind treatment of animals too. It’s a great book to put in the hands of a young reader.
Martin Jarvis narrates the audiobook. His performance is definitely worth five stars. I guarantee he will have you chuckling, kids and adults alike! It’s the delicious icing on a tasty cake.
I have given it three stars, but for kids or young adult readers I highly recommend it! It’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s amusing. It teaches the value of creative thought, imagination, generosity and sharing, of doing things out in the fresh air, together with friends. It will have your kids making things out of scraps and odds and ends. It speaks of friendship and promotes curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and daring. Kind treatment of animals too. It’s a great book to put in the hands of a young reader.
Martin Jarvis narrates the audiobook. His performance is definitely worth five stars. I guarantee he will have you chuckling, kids and adults alike! It’s the delicious icing on a tasty cake.
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November 8, 2019
Generally I enjoy the post-war optimism of children's books from either POST-WWI or post-WWII (think Swallows and Amazons or Narnia). Compared to modern day children's books, they tend to be about the adventure, rather than about being relatable and about life. How boring.
Stig of the Dump has that post-war optimism but doesn't quite do it for me. It's a little too closed-off, a little too small. Written nicely, I just feel it had so much more to give and never quite got around to it.
Stig of the Dump has that post-war optimism but doesn't quite do it for me. It's a little too closed-off, a little too small. Written nicely, I just feel it had so much more to give and never quite got around to it.
June 16, 2015
A delightfully little story about a eight year old boy, Barney. He is a curious boy, with a desire to explore, and is told not to go too close to the edge of the quarry. He does get too close though, and falls down to the bottom. He lands in a cave cut into the chalk, and there looking at him is a short hairy man, with sparkling black eyes, and wearing animal furs. The start to communicate using gestures and grunt, and barney decides to call him Stig. And so begins a series of adventures with his new friend. They raid the rubbish dump at the bottom, disturb a fox hunt, and capture an escaped animal from a circus amongst other scrapes.
Part of a challenge where you had to read a book from your childhood, this was one that I had fond memories of, and amazingly I could still remember details of the story several decades on. Timeless storytelling at its best.
Part of a challenge where you had to read a book from your childhood, this was one that I had fond memories of, and amazingly I could still remember details of the story several decades on. Timeless storytelling at its best.
November 25, 2015
Why oh why did it take me so long to a)be able to read and b)spend time with Stig and Barney? I really enjoyed this book from the outset and it was all due to Clive King's engaging writing style and voice. How effortlessly he captures Barney's childlike disposition alongside the beauty and rare magic of the North Downs (how can you not but love the scene when Barney and Lou cross paths with the stag).
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.
June 10, 2016
3.5 stars for us but a classic non the less. Lovely idea for a story. We enjoyed it but felt it lacked something, perhaps it was the style of writing, it lacked anything we found poetic or magical. There were some nice pieces of humour and interesting parts. We felt it left lots unexplained. We felt sorry for Stig and kept wondering why Barney didn't take him a coat or boots or a sleeping bag or some nice hot food ! Read this probably 35 years ago. The scene that stuck in my mind was Barney taking Stig jam jars, and the way they were made into a window. We liked the caveman's observation that killing a fox was pointless as they taste bad, and the way he says this through mime ! Our copy had beautiful Edward Ardizzone illustrations - always a bonus !
May 18, 2022
A true classic.
June 7, 2012
Stig of the dump is a fantastic read for children and adults alike, it is a brilliant book to read aloud to both KS1 and KS2 children and as an independent read for KS2 level. The book tackles a wealth of issues within the story and focuses on morality and ethics from the 60's that are still relevant to modern day children. The story can be used to discuss friendship, bullying, right from wrong, stealing, lying, inventions, adventure, ingenuity and recycling, and language barriers. A variety of activities can be based on sections of the story and incorporate elements of literacy, history, PSHE, and art and design. For instance my Year 2 class, following the first chapter read aloud, began to design a multitude of inventions and equipment that could be made out of recycled materials, based on Stig's creations.
The areas that this book can relate to and the range of activities that can be based on this story for both KS1 and KS2 make this book a fantastic resource for primary teachers. However it must be noted that the language in the book can occasionally be difficult for younger readers as the prose is at times very dated and does not always follow modern literary conventions. Although do not let this put you off as Stig of the Dump is a great read and a fantastic resource.
The areas that this book can relate to and the range of activities that can be based on this story for both KS1 and KS2 make this book a fantastic resource for primary teachers. However it must be noted that the language in the book can occasionally be difficult for younger readers as the prose is at times very dated and does not always follow modern literary conventions. Although do not let this put you off as Stig of the Dump is a great read and a fantastic resource.
August 20, 2018
Another fabulous wallow in childhood nostalgia! All the children's books I'm currently reading are ones I read aged 8 - 10 - and have never forgotten, the stories had such an impact on my youthful self.
November 26, 2014
Its was great fun when I was a kid, and it is still great fun now that I am a very big kid! The difference is that it takes less time to read now.
September 27, 2011
Stig of the Dump is one of those modern classic stories that has remained prevalent in children's literature since it's first publication in 1963. I chose to read and review it as it's one of the more challenging books that managed to entice me at primary school.
The book tells the story of eight year old Barney who stumbles across a solitary caveman called Stig in the dump at the bottom of his Grandmother's garden. Despite the barriers, both linguistic and cultural, that separate them, the two strike a friendship and embark on a series of exciting adventures, each of which both highlight and bridge the gaps between their vastly different worlds. All of the adventures take place in the modern world, with the exception of the final chapter when one night Barney and his sister Lou sneak out of their Grandmother's house and find themselves in Stig's prehistoric world. Together Barney, Lou, Stig and Dina the dog help Stig's tribe build a set of standing stones that Barney recognises as a weathered landmark from his own modern home, further cementing the links between their worlds that are built on in earlier chapters.
The book takes the form of a text based novel rather than a picture book, although there are several illustrative sketches at the beginning of each chapter and scattered throughout the text. This combined with the presence of the odd phonetically irregular word I would view Stig of the Dump as most suited to the later stages of Key Stage Two for the independent reader, however the story is certainly exciting enough that younger children would enjoy it being read to them.
The central theme of the book is a wonderful story of friendship and trust between Barney and Stig, despite the vast differences that separate them. As well as allowing children to identify with and engage with the story, the imaginative writing from a child's perspective also provides various outlets for them to develop their reading, writing and even numeracy skills. One example of this is that Barney often consciously counts items he's found in the dump, and the story also makes good use of adjectives to describe item's properties.
Stig of the Dump is a story that teaches us that there is common ground and friendships to be found in the most unlikely of places, between people who at first glance couldn't be more different. It's a wonderful if slightly more challenging young children's book that I would certainly make use of in my classroom.
The book tells the story of eight year old Barney who stumbles across a solitary caveman called Stig in the dump at the bottom of his Grandmother's garden. Despite the barriers, both linguistic and cultural, that separate them, the two strike a friendship and embark on a series of exciting adventures, each of which both highlight and bridge the gaps between their vastly different worlds. All of the adventures take place in the modern world, with the exception of the final chapter when one night Barney and his sister Lou sneak out of their Grandmother's house and find themselves in Stig's prehistoric world. Together Barney, Lou, Stig and Dina the dog help Stig's tribe build a set of standing stones that Barney recognises as a weathered landmark from his own modern home, further cementing the links between their worlds that are built on in earlier chapters.
The book takes the form of a text based novel rather than a picture book, although there are several illustrative sketches at the beginning of each chapter and scattered throughout the text. This combined with the presence of the odd phonetically irregular word I would view Stig of the Dump as most suited to the later stages of Key Stage Two for the independent reader, however the story is certainly exciting enough that younger children would enjoy it being read to them.
The central theme of the book is a wonderful story of friendship and trust between Barney and Stig, despite the vast differences that separate them. As well as allowing children to identify with and engage with the story, the imaginative writing from a child's perspective also provides various outlets for them to develop their reading, writing and even numeracy skills. One example of this is that Barney often consciously counts items he's found in the dump, and the story also makes good use of adjectives to describe item's properties.
Stig of the Dump is a story that teaches us that there is common ground and friendships to be found in the most unlikely of places, between people who at first glance couldn't be more different. It's a wonderful if slightly more challenging young children's book that I would certainly make use of in my classroom.
January 20, 2016
This book is pretty interesting and I laughed a few times early on, especially at the incongruity of Barney wondering whether Stig might have a clothes-brush for getting rid of chalk dust. Young and naïve, Barney is an easy to warm to unreliable (third person) narrator. He is curious about Stig without judgment. An honest child, Barney recounts his experiences faithfully to his grandmother and sister, which they dismiss as imaginary. This disbelief compounded with plenty of spare time frees Barney up for various interludes with Stig.
I think a huge difference coming to this as an adult rather than a child, is that I was fearful for Stig all along. My knowledge of the adult world meant that surely his time in the chalk pit was limited. I kept anticipating discovery and removal. Bear in mind that in Australia, Indigenous children were still stolen from families into the 1970s and this kind of knowledge overshadowed my enjoyment. Additionally I was madly curious about Stig. Who was he? What was his story? Children might accept him on face value, but I was uncomfortable until the midsummer resolution.
This book would be problematic in an Australian classroom setting where Indigenous students sit alongside Anglo peers. There would be too many issues about Stig’s primitive ways and while I am not against such discussions, I don't think reading this book would be helpful.
I think a huge difference coming to this as an adult rather than a child, is that I was fearful for Stig all along. My knowledge of the adult world meant that surely his time in the chalk pit was limited. I kept anticipating discovery and removal. Bear in mind that in Australia, Indigenous children were still stolen from families into the 1970s and this kind of knowledge overshadowed my enjoyment. Additionally I was madly curious about Stig. Who was he? What was his story? Children might accept him on face value, but I was uncomfortable until the midsummer resolution.
This book would be problematic in an Australian classroom setting where Indigenous students sit alongside Anglo peers. There would be too many issues about Stig’s primitive ways and while I am not against such discussions, I don't think reading this book would be helpful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
Thought I’d re-read this for the first time since I was a kid, in honour of Clive King, whose death at age 94 was announced today, 13 July 2018.
Update: Wow, I wonder if I did read this as a child, or maybe just watched a television version? I'm sure I don't remember it as a favourite, but reading it now, found it utterly charming, magical, and beautifully written, with such a light, warm-hearted touch. The chapter featuring a fox-hunt is masterful, dealing with the subject so subtly and humorously but at the same time conveying a very definite point of view, I thought. And the note struck in the last chapter, suggesting something, again very subtly, that may have been part of life then, without underlining it. A marvellous children's book.
Interestingly another magical children's writer, E Nesbit, lived at Halstead, just 10 miles away, for three years, and Richmal Crompton, the author of those much-loved books about another little boy, William, lived and worked at roughly the same distance from Ash. Must be something in those Kentish waters!
Update: Wow, I wonder if I did read this as a child, or maybe just watched a television version? I'm sure I don't remember it as a favourite, but reading it now, found it utterly charming, magical, and beautifully written, with such a light, warm-hearted touch. The chapter featuring a fox-hunt is masterful, dealing with the subject so subtly and humorously but at the same time conveying a very definite point of view, I thought. And the note struck in the last chapter, suggesting something, again very subtly, that may have been part of life then, without underlining it. A marvellous children's book.
Interestingly another magical children's writer, E Nesbit, lived at Halstead, just 10 miles away, for three years, and Richmal Crompton, the author of those much-loved books about another little boy, William, lived and worked at roughly the same distance from Ash. Must be something in those Kentish waters!
December 14, 2018
Initially the low stakes, slow paced ambience of this book was a shock in comparison to contemporary world-saving, thrill-ride, kids' books but having accepted it for what it is, I found this book to be charming and by the end, delightful. It's heavily episodic, with no discernable through-plot, but Barney and Lou's adventures with Stig when they visit their grandmother are successively more extravagant and the last two chapters are particularly surprising and fun.
August 5, 2017
I bought this book many years ago for my son who has autism.
At that time he didn't have much interest in books but there was something about this one that he loved.
I was so impressed that I bought extra copies of the book for other children to enjoy.
Really loved this book. Recommended.
At that time he didn't have much interest in books but there was something about this one that he loved.
I was so impressed that I bought extra copies of the book for other children to enjoy.
Really loved this book. Recommended.
June 17, 2012
Read in Primary 5 with Mrs McKie
February 17, 2024
8.6/10
Deemed a British children's classic book, Stig of the Dump is to me a quintessential children's novel. Although published in 1963 and including some fairly antiquated language, I encourage this book to continue being shared to children for generations to come. What makes this book a classic is how Clive King perfectly captures what it is like to be a child - the freedom and wonder of the everday. His writing style is in the essence of that of a child - it is not flowery or all too descriptive - but fast-moving and thoughtful. King really makes you feel like this 8 year old boy Barney, who goes on this adventure with a caveman, an adventure that his no adult believes in, and an adventure that is possibly so imaginative because of the fact that is comes through the lens of a child. We experience the story through his perspective, and see the world in the way he sees it, which would be vastly different if this book was written in the perspective of an adult.
Clive King also delivers some messages about society, like the 'Snarget' boys who are clearly of a lower class to Barney, yet after initial doubts, gets on well with them, despite his grandmother's concerns. The free-spirited and uncontrolled nature of childhood of the time - Barney spending full days outside exploring without seeing his Grandmother - is in opposition the the tightly controlled and constricted parenting which was present in the 60s and is more present now. King also comments on hunting, and uses Stig to show how he believes that hunting should only be for food. The whole book is written in a whimsical way, none more so than the end, in which Barney and his sister Lou seem to accept the bizarre thing that has happened to them. Overall. Stig of the Dump is a very good portrayal of friendship and childhood, which should remain relevant in today's society.
Deemed a British children's classic book, Stig of the Dump is to me a quintessential children's novel. Although published in 1963 and including some fairly antiquated language, I encourage this book to continue being shared to children for generations to come. What makes this book a classic is how Clive King perfectly captures what it is like to be a child - the freedom and wonder of the everday. His writing style is in the essence of that of a child - it is not flowery or all too descriptive - but fast-moving and thoughtful. King really makes you feel like this 8 year old boy Barney, who goes on this adventure with a caveman, an adventure that his no adult believes in, and an adventure that is possibly so imaginative because of the fact that is comes through the lens of a child. We experience the story through his perspective, and see the world in the way he sees it, which would be vastly different if this book was written in the perspective of an adult.
Clive King also delivers some messages about society, like the 'Snarget' boys who are clearly of a lower class to Barney, yet after initial doubts, gets on well with them, despite his grandmother's concerns. The free-spirited and uncontrolled nature of childhood of the time - Barney spending full days outside exploring without seeing his Grandmother - is in opposition the the tightly controlled and constricted parenting which was present in the 60s and is more present now. King also comments on hunting, and uses Stig to show how he believes that hunting should only be for food. The whole book is written in a whimsical way, none more so than the end, in which Barney and his sister Lou seem to accept the bizarre thing that has happened to them. Overall. Stig of the Dump is a very good portrayal of friendship and childhood, which should remain relevant in today's society.
February 28, 2019
I re-read this after hearing John Grindrod mention it in a talk about the London green belt, and I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was a child. Clearly a very prosaic and dull child, as I had forgotten all of the magical elements and just remembered the bit where Barney and Stig make a chimney out of tin cans (still a very satisfying scene!). I love how middle-class Barney is - "Golly! You are clever, Stig!" - and I really enjoyed his sister Lou's journey from just being an annoying older sibling to facing off a leopard and heroically rescuing a cave-baby.
February 25, 2020
A DIY book for children is the best way I can think of this strange book. A boy's romp. A tumble-down adventure. A book that is all heart and yet, didn't quite go down well with me. Maybe, I am Smitha of the dump. Maybe, I need a Stig. An old pipe and a thatched hut in a chalk pit.
November 2, 2013
This book is the story of a boy called Barney who finds a cave man living in a dump in the local chalk pits. Stig of the Dump as he is called, becomes Barney’s friend. After meeting Stig, Barney tells his grandmother and sister Lou about him but nobody believes him. Stig becomes a secret friend until he is also discovered by the Snarget boys.
Stig is extremely inventive. Together, Barney and Stig build a window, build a chimney, fight off some house robbers, help a zoo capture a leopard that has escaped. One of the things that the story focuses on is the pleasure to be obtained from building and making things and how much can be done with what is at hand. This is even more pertinent today than it was in 1963 when the book was published given the current emphasis on recycling.
Other themes in the novel are the importance of friendship, education through experience, bullying and risk taking. The book opens with Barney falling over the edge of the chalk pit and adventurous children will find this attractive. This would need to be handled with care in a classroom situation.
Another issue that Primary teachers will need to be aware of is the fact that the language in the book is not modern and may therefore present problems for younger readers.
The ending of the novel describes a mysterious and magical event involving stone age cave men dragging stones into an upright position until they disappear with the dawning of Midsummer’s Day leaving only Stig behind with Barney and Lou who had also joined this expedition. This would provide an excellent beginner to a discussion about the Stone Age and the Bronze Age and the creation of monuments like Stone Henge.
Stig of the Dump could therefore be appropriate for Key Stage 2 pupils. This novel could be used in 카지노싸이트, Literacy and History and could be relevant to debates on those subjects: friendship, invention and imagination.
Stig is extremely inventive. Together, Barney and Stig build a window, build a chimney, fight off some house robbers, help a zoo capture a leopard that has escaped. One of the things that the story focuses on is the pleasure to be obtained from building and making things and how much can be done with what is at hand. This is even more pertinent today than it was in 1963 when the book was published given the current emphasis on recycling.
Other themes in the novel are the importance of friendship, education through experience, bullying and risk taking. The book opens with Barney falling over the edge of the chalk pit and adventurous children will find this attractive. This would need to be handled with care in a classroom situation.
Another issue that Primary teachers will need to be aware of is the fact that the language in the book is not modern and may therefore present problems for younger readers.
The ending of the novel describes a mysterious and magical event involving stone age cave men dragging stones into an upright position until they disappear with the dawning of Midsummer’s Day leaving only Stig behind with Barney and Lou who had also joined this expedition. This would provide an excellent beginner to a discussion about the Stone Age and the Bronze Age and the creation of monuments like Stone Henge.
Stig of the Dump could therefore be appropriate for Key Stage 2 pupils. This novel could be used in 카지노싸이트, Literacy and History and could be relevant to debates on those subjects: friendship, invention and imagination.
September 20, 2011
Clive King’s ‘Stig of the dump’ is about a boy called Barney who befriends a caveman called ‘Stig’ who lives in a quarry. Barney finds Stig by accidently falling into the quarry and through the roof of Stig’s den. From this point onwards they become good friends.
Barney enjoys his time with Stig as they do a number of interesting things together such as; improving ‘Stigs’ den, collecting firewood, scaring a young group of boys’, catching some burglars who were attempting to steal Barney’s grandmothers silverwares and by going hunting.
Stig of the Dump plays highly on the imaginative and includes a great deal of mystery with a slight bit of magic. This makes it an ideal choice to use within the classroom, as a number of activities can be constructed with this book. For example, the Teacher can use this in cross-curricular activities such as drawing and constructing their own den; what would they use? How would they make it? Such activities provide an opportunity for 3 dimensional thinking associated with geography and testing their creativity skills. They could then be asked to describe their reasoning behind how they created their dens. Furthermore, this book could also be used with regards to raising ecological awareness, getting the students thinking about the things that are thrown away and hearing their views on waste.
In summary this book is well suited for a Key Stage 2 class and offers many possible activities and opportunities for students to explore their thinking. This could also be used in conjunction with school trips to observe wastage and investigate how it could be improved and how.
Barney enjoys his time with Stig as they do a number of interesting things together such as; improving ‘Stigs’ den, collecting firewood, scaring a young group of boys’, catching some burglars who were attempting to steal Barney’s grandmothers silverwares and by going hunting.
Stig of the Dump plays highly on the imaginative and includes a great deal of mystery with a slight bit of magic. This makes it an ideal choice to use within the classroom, as a number of activities can be constructed with this book. For example, the Teacher can use this in cross-curricular activities such as drawing and constructing their own den; what would they use? How would they make it? Such activities provide an opportunity for 3 dimensional thinking associated with geography and testing their creativity skills. They could then be asked to describe their reasoning behind how they created their dens. Furthermore, this book could also be used with regards to raising ecological awareness, getting the students thinking about the things that are thrown away and hearing their views on waste.
In summary this book is well suited for a Key Stage 2 class and offers many possible activities and opportunities for students to explore their thinking. This could also be used in conjunction with school trips to observe wastage and investigate how it could be improved and how.
September 8, 2013
Stig of the Dump tells the story of a boy who discovers a cave man living in a dump in the local chalk pits near his granny's house. The two become friends and enjoy lots of building and creating using the left over materials in the dump. Along the course of the story they build a chimney, see off some house robbers and help the zoo capture a leopard. The story ends with a magical experience where the children are transported to stone age Britain to witness the creation of Stone Henge by stone age peoples.
It is a wonderful story that captures the joy of building and making and gives the reader a sense the possibilities available for making things for themselves out of the tools at hand. It has a fantastic magical element as Stig the caveman's appearance in the dump is never really explained and the wonderful scene at the end of the story, where you learn how men transported huge rocks across the country using only ropes and poles, is vivid and exciting.
There is a lot of wonderful risk taking in the story which will appeal to most adventurous children. The book opens with the main character falling off the edge of the chalk pit even though he has been warned repeatedly about this possibility and he is fine. The book encourages children to explore and take delight in their ability to learn about the world and create.
This book could be appropriate for key stage 2. It would be excellent for teaching about stone age peoples, the development of technology and also as support for teaching children practical skills and helping them to get excited about the world around them. A wonderful book for independent reading to be added to the classroom bookshelf.
It is a wonderful story that captures the joy of building and making and gives the reader a sense the possibilities available for making things for themselves out of the tools at hand. It has a fantastic magical element as Stig the caveman's appearance in the dump is never really explained and the wonderful scene at the end of the story, where you learn how men transported huge rocks across the country using only ropes and poles, is vivid and exciting.
There is a lot of wonderful risk taking in the story which will appeal to most adventurous children. The book opens with the main character falling off the edge of the chalk pit even though he has been warned repeatedly about this possibility and he is fine. The book encourages children to explore and take delight in their ability to learn about the world and create.
This book could be appropriate for key stage 2. It would be excellent for teaching about stone age peoples, the development of technology and also as support for teaching children practical skills and helping them to get excited about the world around them. A wonderful book for independent reading to be added to the classroom bookshelf.
April 29, 2016
A classic of 60s literature, I hadn't re-read this since childhood so didn't recall much other than it being about a young boy who finds a young caveman living in the nearby disused chalkpit, which is now used as a dump by the locals who throw rubbish into it. Stig, as Barney names him, does not have language - at least, not until the final surreal ending - but they manage to communicate through gestures and form a friendship. Stig's strength is his ingenuity; although he doesn't understand modern objects, he is quick on the uptake, and improvises a lot of gadgets from other people's castoffs.
The book is a bit old fashioned by today's standards, and Barney is what people would regards as 'posh' - for example, his sister rides to hounds in one chapter, though the hunt is undermined by Stig's actions in saving the fox, because he only hunts animals that are good to eat. But in its day it was a good action story for boys. There's quite a lot of tree climbing and other risky activities which would be disapproved of in our more health and safety conscious times, and adventures that put Barney in danger, such as when a leopard escapes from a circus, or where he tackles thieves. The illustrations by Edward Ardizzone are engaging, and the end section, which I had completely forgotten, is quite magical where Barney and his sister are transported on midsummer eve back in time to Stig's own origins. Though the end is a bit odd - if Stig is not an outcast, and manages to go back to his own time, why does he then come back to Barney's? Anyway, an engaging natural read, with a well developed take on the character of Barney as an open, rather naive boy in a simpler time.
The book is a bit old fashioned by today's standards, and Barney is what people would regards as 'posh' - for example, his sister rides to hounds in one chapter, though the hunt is undermined by Stig's actions in saving the fox, because he only hunts animals that are good to eat. But in its day it was a good action story for boys. There's quite a lot of tree climbing and other risky activities which would be disapproved of in our more health and safety conscious times, and adventures that put Barney in danger, such as when a leopard escapes from a circus, or where he tackles thieves. The illustrations by Edward Ardizzone are engaging, and the end section, which I had completely forgotten, is quite magical where Barney and his sister are transported on midsummer eve back in time to Stig's own origins. Though the end is a bit odd - if Stig is not an outcast, and manages to go back to his own time, why does he then come back to Barney's? Anyway, an engaging natural read, with a well developed take on the character of Barney as an open, rather naive boy in a simpler time.
November 14, 2017
Young Barney falls in touch with a Stone Age lad. They hit it off and keep company from time to time. The final 1/4 of the tale takes wing into magic wonder time.
November 5, 2016
Five stars for the memories of my teachers reading it to my class at school! Yes, we heard it in both our first and second years in elementary, but it was so intriguing I did not mind. Who was Stig? Where did he come from? Where was his family? Could he time travel? How?
I was reminded of this book when thinking about stories with environmental themes in my childhood. Rereading it I realize that there are other themes too. Friendship, loyalty, appreciation for the other, connection of people to a place.
Stig lives in a former quarry where people toss their trash. He finds new ways to use the things others no longer need. Barney befriends him and works with him on home improvement projects even though they cannot understand each other's language. As the book progresses Stig helps Barney in his modern world until the magnificent ending on midsummer's eve. I wonder how this book has helped youngsters better appreciate prehistoric features like Stonehenge?
I love the ending which ties Stig to the modern population and made me think of a Stig in my life.
I was reminded of this book when thinking about stories with environmental themes in my childhood. Rereading it I realize that there are other themes too. Friendship, loyalty, appreciation for the other, connection of people to a place.
Stig lives in a former quarry where people toss their trash. He finds new ways to use the things others no longer need. Barney befriends him and works with him on home improvement projects even though they cannot understand each other's language. As the book progresses Stig helps Barney in his modern world until the magnificent ending on midsummer's eve. I wonder how this book has helped youngsters better appreciate prehistoric features like Stonehenge?
I love the ending which ties Stig to the modern population and made me think of a Stig in my life.
December 1, 2015
I found this book really easy to read and I was truly disappointed when I finished reading it. The characters are so believable and lovely and it will definitely be a book that I will be reading again.
April 25, 2020
Modern 'cave man' classic that won't fail to intrigue.
I remember my class teacher reading this out loud when I was in primary school, it's the kind of story that stays with you, if not in the detail. Now seemed a good time to share it with my 9-year-old, with lockdown and a recent topic of the Stone Age in class.
It was lovely to relive the plot. And my son didn't have a problem following the story, the language wasn't so very different to any contemporary book. Barney is an 'everyboy', a bit of a loner, who discovers, when staying at his Grandma's, that the nearby chalk pit hides a surprising secret. A hidden den, a strange boy.... wearing rabbit fur, speaking his own language of grunts. A cave boy?
Calling him Stig, Barney befriends this unusual individual, and the two share a series of adventures. Some more domestic (home improvements, bullies/gangs), and some rather daring and exciting (a real escaped leopard! thieves!).
We can never be truly sure if Stig is in Barney's imagination, his sister and Grandmother don't seem to believe him. It's fascinating to both watch how Stig lives and makes his own world, and how he and Barney interact and communicate.
Barney's is a world not so different from that of a 21st century child. He is allowed a lot of freedom to play, but he has imagination, he wants to make friends, there are other gangs of children to avoid/best. Stig is an enigma, but the two quickly form an alliance of almost-communication and trust, of sharing, exchange and solidarity.
I was surprised at how readable it was for contemporary young audiences. My son was just as fascinated by the idea of who Stig was as I remember being. And the final chapters, with their eerie otherworldliness and inexplicable time setting added to the mystery.
One for imagination building, for children interested in cavemen/Stone Age topics, for gentle exposure to slightly older texts with an engaging central pairing and quite an exciting/varied plot.
For ages 7-11.
I remember my class teacher reading this out loud when I was in primary school, it's the kind of story that stays with you, if not in the detail. Now seemed a good time to share it with my 9-year-old, with lockdown and a recent topic of the Stone Age in class.
It was lovely to relive the plot. And my son didn't have a problem following the story, the language wasn't so very different to any contemporary book. Barney is an 'everyboy', a bit of a loner, who discovers, when staying at his Grandma's, that the nearby chalk pit hides a surprising secret. A hidden den, a strange boy.... wearing rabbit fur, speaking his own language of grunts. A cave boy?
Calling him Stig, Barney befriends this unusual individual, and the two share a series of adventures. Some more domestic (home improvements, bullies/gangs), and some rather daring and exciting (a real escaped leopard! thieves!).
We can never be truly sure if Stig is in Barney's imagination, his sister and Grandmother don't seem to believe him. It's fascinating to both watch how Stig lives and makes his own world, and how he and Barney interact and communicate.
Barney's is a world not so different from that of a 21st century child. He is allowed a lot of freedom to play, but he has imagination, he wants to make friends, there are other gangs of children to avoid/best. Stig is an enigma, but the two quickly form an alliance of almost-communication and trust, of sharing, exchange and solidarity.
I was surprised at how readable it was for contemporary young audiences. My son was just as fascinated by the idea of who Stig was as I remember being. And the final chapters, with their eerie otherworldliness and inexplicable time setting added to the mystery.
One for imagination building, for children interested in cavemen/Stone Age topics, for gentle exposure to slightly older texts with an engaging central pairing and quite an exciting/varied plot.
For ages 7-11.
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