Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter and wartime fighter pilot, and remains one of the most popular and beloved children’s authors of all time.
Dahl’s vivid imagination and darkly humorous storytelling have captivated generations, with over a million copies of his books sold annually worldwide. From his iconic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda to the mischievous The BFG and the fantastical James and the Giant Peach, Dahl’s works are a staple in children’s literature, typically enjoyed by readers aged 6-12. Many of the books are also remembered for their iconic illustrations by Quentin Blake.
Roald Dahl’s children’s stories often explore themes of good versus evil, the power of imagination, the importance of kindness and the triumph of the underdog. Often the subject of critical debate, his books continue to be celebrated for their ability to engage and entertain young readers and have inspired numerous successful screen and stage versions. Roald Dahl’s books have won a host of awards over the years, including The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Award, The Whitbread Award and the Blue Peter Book Award.
The children’s books by Roald Dahl frequently appear on recommended reading lists, including BooksForTopics selections of recommended KS2 book lists, Best Books for 9 Year Olds, Recommended Storytime Chapter Books, funny books for children and year group recommended reads. In fact, Roald Dahl’s work was the topic of the award-winning thesis by BooksForTopics founder Alison Leach, who won the Jacqueline Wilson Award for high-quality research in children’s literature at the Faculty of Education and Homerton College, University of Cambridge.
Fans of Roald Dahl should also make use of our Branching Out resource, showcasing how his stories can lead readers to explore other genres and authors.
If you’re looking for classic children’s books, imaginative stories or books that inspire an enjoyment of reading, explore the world of Roald Dahl.
If you are new to Roald Dahl’s books for children, we recommend Fantastic Mr Fox as a good book to start with. You can also get a flavour of a wider selection of Dahl stories in the beautifully gift-worthy The Roald Dahl Treasury.