← The Children's Library  /  Guides  /  Books Like Matilda

Books Like Matilda

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

These books are for readers who backed Matilda’s intelligence, enjoyed the school setting and sharp comedy, or wanted another child to challenge an unfair adult world.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links below — at no extra cost to you.
12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Match the next choice to the strongest appeal: school trouble, a highly capable child, comic punishment, or a touch of magic. Readers who found the cruelty uncomfortable may prefer the same underdog pattern with warmer adults.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · courage and humour
Check priceRead notes
Awful Auntie
David Walliams · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · courage and humour
Check priceRead notes
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith · Chapter Book · ages 5–8 · courage and family
Check priceRead notes
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett · Classic · ages 8–12 · courage and imagination
Check priceRead notes
Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman · Novel · ages 10–14 · courage and family
Check priceRead notes
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · imagination and wonder
Check priceRead notes
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
Check priceRead notes
Awful Auntie book cover
Awful Auntie
David Walliams
Ages 8–11
Awful Auntie
David Walliams · Tony Ross
For readers interested in courage, humour and justice, compare Awful Auntie by David Walliams. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Chapter Book2014
Check priceRead notes
The Hodgeheg book cover
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
Ages 5–8
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
The Hodgeheg, a chapter book by Dick King-Smith, is selected for children aged 5 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring courage, family and perseverance.
Chapter Book1987
Check priceRead notes
A Little Princess book cover
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ages 8–12
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Princess, a classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring courage, imagination, kindness and perseverance.
Classic1905
Check priceRead notes
Pig Heart Boy book cover
Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman
Ages 10–14
Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman
On the shelf for children aged 10 to 14: Pig Heart Boy, a novel by Malorie Blackman. It connects with courage, family, justice and perseverance.
Novel1997
Check priceRead notes
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken
Ages 6–9
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken · Jan Pienkowski
A Necklace of Raindrops, a chapter book by Joan Aiken, is selected for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Jan Pienkowski. Compare it with other books exploring imagination and wonder.
Chapter Book1968
Check priceRead notes
Bill's New Frock book cover
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Ages 7–10
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Bill's New Frock, a chapter book by Anne Fine, is selected for children aged 7 to 10. Compare it with other books exploring humour, justice and self-reliance.
Chapter Book1989
Check priceRead notes
First Term at Malory Towers book cover
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
Ages 8–11
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
For readers interested in friendship and perseverance, compare First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Chapter Book1946
Check priceRead notes
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
Check priceRead notes
Mr Stink book cover
Mr Stink
David Walliams
Ages 7–10
Mr Stink
David Walliams · Quentin Blake
First published in 2009, Mr Stink is a chapter book by David Walliams for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include kindness, friendship, courage and justice.
Chapter Book2009
Check priceRead notes
The Sheep-Pig book cover
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
Ages 6–10
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
For readers interested in kindness, perseverance and courage, compare The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith. It is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 10.
Chapter Book1983
Check priceRead notes
Five on a Treasure Island book cover
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
Ages 7–11
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
On the shelf for children aged 7 to 11: Five on a Treasure Island, a chapter book by Enid Blyton. It connects with adventure, friendship and courage.
Chapter Book1942
Check priceRead notes