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The Talking Parcel facts for kids

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TheTalkingParcel.jpg
First edition
Author Gerald Durrell
Cover artist Liza James
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Children's
Publisher Collins
Publication date
1974

The Talking Parcel (also published as The Battle for Castle Cockatrice) is a 1974 book by Gerald Durrell in which children are transported to the fantasy land of Mythologia to save it from cockatrices. They are aided by a talking parrot and encounter many other magical creatures, including a mooncalf.

The book has been translated into a number of languages, including Czech, Estonian, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Film adaptation

The Talking Parcel
Directed by Brian Cosgrove
Produced by Brian Cosgrove
Mark Hall
Written by Gerald Durrell (novel)
Rosemary Anne Sisson (writer)
Music by Ravid Rohl
Woolly Wolstenholme
Editing by John McManus
Dave Street
Studio Cosgrove Hall Films
Release date(s) 26 December 1978 (UK)
Running time (US) 60 min
(UK) 40 min.
Country United Kingdom
Language English

It was made into an animated feature for television by Cosgrove Hall Films in 1978, debuting on ITV. However, the film differs from the book mainly by introducing only one human protagonist, the girl Penelope.

Voice cast

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