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Best Roald Dahl Books by Age

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

Compare children's books by Roald Dahl across age ranges, formats, and themes to find the strongest place to start or the best next read.

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13 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Roald Dahl's books here span ages 4 to 12 across chapter books, picture books and poetry. Start younger readers with The Enormous Crocodile; for the older end of the range, compare Danny the Champion of the World. The recurring themes include adventure, friendship, courage and imagination, so the next choice can match both reading confidence and interest.

James and the Giant Peach book cover
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–10
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Choose James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 10. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. This chapter book is shelved with books about adventure, friendship, courage and imagination.
Chapter Book1961
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book cover
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–10
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Charlie Bucket finds one of five golden tickets and enters Willy Wonka’s extraordinary chocolate factory.
Chapter Book1964
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The Magic Finger book cover
The Magic Finger
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
The Magic Finger
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
First published in 1966, The Magic Finger is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include justice, courage and nature.
Chapter Book1966
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Fantastic Mr Fox book cover
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
First published in 1970, Fantastic Mr Fox is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include courage, humour, perseverance and family.
Chapter Book1970
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Danny the Champion of the World book cover
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl
Ages 8–12
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
For readers interested in family, courage, loyalty and humour, compare Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 12.
Chapter Book1975
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The Enormous Crocodile book cover
The Enormous Crocodile
Roald Dahl
Ages 4–7
The Enormous Crocodile
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
On the shelf for children aged 4 to 7: The Enormous Crocodile, a picture book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with courage, justice and humour.
Picture Book1978
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The Twits book cover
The Twits
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
The Twits
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Choose The Twits by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and justice.
Chapter Book1980
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George's Marvellous Medicine book cover
George's Marvellous Medicine
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
George's Marvellous Medicine
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
On the shelf for children aged 6 to 9: George's Marvellous Medicine, a chapter book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with humour, imagination and courage.
Chapter Book1981
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Revolting Rhymes book cover
Revolting Rhymes
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–10
Revolting Rhymes
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
For readers interested in humour, compare Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It is a poetry collection for children aged 6 to 10.
Poetry1982
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The BFG book cover
The BFG
Roald Dahl
Ages 7–10
The BFG
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Sophie is taken from her orphanage by the Big Friendly Giant and learns that he collects dreams while other giants hunt children.
Chapter Book1982
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The Witches book cover
The Witches
Roald Dahl
Ages 7–11
The Witches
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Choose The Witches by Roald Dahl for children aged 7 to 11. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. This chapter book is shelved with books about courage, humour and perseverance.
Chapter Book1983
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Matilda book cover
Matilda
Roald Dahl
Ages 7–11
Matilda
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
Matilda is a gifted reader whose dismissive parents fail to recognise her abilities.
Chapter Book1988
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Esio Trot book cover
Esio Trot
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
Esio Trot
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
On the shelf for children aged 6 to 9: Esio Trot, a chapter book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with kindness and humour.
Chapter Book1990
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