Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Story Revived in Children's Book Series About VW Camper

Mar 23, 2011, 12:59 by David Hope

The story of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was a hit in 1964 and the original book authored by James Bond creator Ian Fleming is now getting a makeover. The story has been revitalized in a modern day book book trilogy that is aimed at children and will be released this fall.

Fleming's estate enlisted novelist and screen writer Frank Cottrell Boyce to write the sequels, the first of which will be published in November. The new books will tell the story of a family that fixes up a VW camper van with an old racing car engine.

"Before they know it they are zooming around the world as Chitty comes to life again and is restored to her former glory," the estate said in a statement.

The original novel centers around a candy inventor who supes up an old car for his family. The story was adapted into a popular 1968 musical starring Dick Van Dyke.

The authorized spinoffs will be illustrated by Joe Berger, Reuters reports.

Boyce is known for books such as "Cosmic" and "Framed" and for his film scripts, including "Welcome to Sarajevo" and "Hilary and Jackie."

"I have no idea what made the Flemings think of asking me to write the sequel. I haven't asked them in case it's all a case of mistaken identity," Boyce said in a statement.

"I went back to the book for the first time since I was a boy and was delighted to discover that, first of all, it's really good and, secondly, it's crying out for a sequel.

"I've had a lot of fun writing these books, but somewhere amongst all the fun I found it strangely emotional to revisit myself as a boy and ask if he could help me restore an old-fashioned contraption and make it fly again," Boyce said.