Which of the Famous Children’s Books Should You Read Next?
Head to an enchanting land in one of these classic children's books!
By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
Roald Dahl has written many classic books that are great for children and adults alike. The children’s literature shows off Dahl’s style really well, and the books often have fun and quirky characters. The imaginative storyteller has been pleasing audiences and readers since the early 1940s. He published novels and short story collections, and he wrote stories that have touched many. If you’re a huge Roald Dahl fan, you may have been to the Roald Dahl Museum or read many of his books. But if you’re not a fan of his yet, you may be wondering which to read.
There are plenty of options as Roald Dahl wrote 19 novels and created many more short stories. But depending on what kind of mood you’re in or what kind of characters you want to read about, there might be a specific book that’s right for you. If you’re trying to figure out which of the Roald Dahl books you should read, take this quiz and we’ll tell you. Just remember that you can always read more when you’re done with your pick too.
Roald Dahl books
Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916 to Harald Dahl and Sofie Magdalene Dahl. His Norwegian parents made a good life in Britain for him. Growing up, there was a mean old woman who ran the local sweet shop, Mrs. Pratchett, who was the inspiration for one of his most famous characters, Miss Trunchbull. He joined the Royal Air Force in World War II, and he got hurt and was given a post in the British Embassy in the U.S. After the war, he married Patricia Neal. They had five children: Olivia Twenty, Chantal (Tessa) Sophia, Theo Matthew, Ophelia Magdalena, and Lucy Neal. His first published piece of work was A Piece of Cake in the Saturday Evening Post. The Gremlins was his first children's book.
Children's fiction became his hallmark, but he did write two adult novels and multiple macabre adult short stories. Ghost stories were also some of his favorites to write. He wrote many novels such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, The Twits, Danny, the Champion of the World, The BFG, and more. He also adapted some of his books into film scripts. Dahl's film script for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory helped bring the story to life.
He and Patricia Neal divorced in 1983, and he married his second wife Felicity Crosiand later that year. Dahl's charitable commitments were well-remembered, and the Roald Dahl Foundation, now known as Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, provides care for ill children in the U.K. He died in 1990 and had a few pieces of literature published posthumously.
Which of the Roald Dahl Books Should I Read Next?
Roald Dahl's stories are not just any children's tales; they're a rambunctious blend of the fantastic, the mischievous, and the outright bizarre. As aficionados of Dahl's deliciously whimsical world, we've often found ourselves in a pickle, asking which of his books to dive into next. Is it the mind-whirling adventures of a genius girl, or the sweet-gushing rivers in a chocolate factory that should tickle our fancy this time? His books are more than just stories; they're gateways to worlds brimming with imagination, where even adults can rediscover the marvels of childhood fantasy.
Choosing the next Roald Dahl adventure is as essential as picking the right flavor of ice cream on a sunny day—it's a serious business! Whether you're a mischief-maker, a dreamer, a chocolate enthusiast, or even a giant peach lover, there's a Dahl story that's just screaming to match your mood. What tickles your literary taste buds? Do you want to soar across the skies with a friendly giant or perhaps outwit a coven of wicked witches? We've all been that child, wide-eyed and wrapped in the cocoon of blankets, as Dahl spun his yarns, making us giggle and gasp.
Now, hold onto your hats because we're about to embark on a fantastical quiz at BrainFall that will decipher the scribbles of your imagination and determine which Roald Dahl masterpiece should be your next read. Don't worry; our quiz is as fun as Willy Wonka's fizzy lifting drinks and guaranteed to be less perilous than stealing a peach from a certain rhyming duo of aunts. Get ready to let your imagination run as wild as Mr. Fox's dinner plans!
Choosing Your Dahl Delight
Ready to journey through the whimsical, splendiferous world of Roald Dahl? Grab your golden ticket because we're about to embark on a literary adventure sure to spark joy, ignite laughter, and maybe even rekindle a bit of that childhood nostalgia.
For the Young at Heart
If your heart still flutters at the thought of mischievous plots and fantastical exploits, let's start with the timeless Matilda. This extraordinary girl with a love for books will show you that with a little bit of courage (and perhaps some telekinetic powers), you too can stand up to a domineering headmistress like Miss Trunchbull. Then, there’s The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), where dreams are quite literally caught. Join Sophie as she teams up with the BFG to capture dreams and outwit the not-so-friendly giants.
Adventures and Misadventures
For those with a taste for adventure sprinkled with a touch of misfortune, jump into James and the Giant Peach. You'll meet a lad named James, who embarks on a wild journey inside, you guessed it, a giant peach! The Twits will have you cackling at the revolting antics of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the gruesome twosome that never miss a chance to one-up each other. Meanwhile, in Fantastic Mr. Fox, witness the clever Mr. Fox outfox the bumbling farmers: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean.
Continuing the Chocolatey Journey
If your sweet tooth wasn't fully satisfied, fear not. Our factory tour isn't over! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory introduced us to a world of pure imagination, led by the iconic Willy Wonka. But what happens next to Charlie Bucket? Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator rockets our beloved family into a space hotel adventure that's as quirky as it is risky. And yes, the Oompa-Loompas are involved in this cosmic escapade too!
Now, didn't we tell you it'd be a frothbuggling, earfrothing good time? We say, the more Dahl, the merrier! So go ahead, find out which Roald Dahl treasure awaits you with our quiz on BrainFall.com, where the fun and the peculiar come to play.
Dahl's World Beyond the Page
Before we jump into the marvelously quirky realm of Roald Dahl, let's gear up for a little backstory and cultural impact. Our literary expedition will uncover the person behind the pen and the indelible mark his works have left on pop culture.
The Life and Times of Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl wasn't just a genius of storytelling; he led a life that could rival any of his fictional tales. Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, Dahl embarked on adventures from the get-go, from boarding school antics to the daredevilry of World War II flying. His adult life in Great Missenden, England, was a tapestry of dark humor and brilliant writing, peppered with personal triumphs and tragedies. Dahl's experiences, whether as a fighter pilot or a family man, fuelled the macabre yet comically absurd scenarios in his books.
- Occupation: Writer, Fighter Pilot, Spy
- Born: September 13, 1916
- Place of Birth: Llandaff, Wales
- Marriage: Patricia Neal (m. 1953–1983), Felicity Ann d'Abreu Crosland (m. 1983)
- Notable Residences: The Gipsy House, Great Missenden, England
Impact on Pop Culture and Media
Dahl's legacy is as gigantic as the Big Friendly Giant's heart. His characters, like Miss Honey from 'Matilda', resonate with us because they capture life's sweetness amidst the bitter. The illustrated worlds created in collaboration with Quentin Blake brought forth a unique visual aesthetic that's both charming and slightly unsettling. The themes he knitted into his yarns live on in various forms of entertainment, influencing personas like Wes Anderson, whose adaptation of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' became a stop-motion masterpiece.
- Themes: Child empowerment, adult folly, retributive justice
- Influence on Media:
- 'Matilda' – Broadway and film adaptations
- 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' – Multiple film versions, including a classic and a Tim Burton interpretation
- 'The BFG' – Steven Spielberg brought this giant to cinematic life
- Quentin Blake – The illustrator whose images are recognized worldwide as Dahl's visual counterpart
So, as we celebrate the mischievous plot twists and timeless tales, remember: a little bit of Dahl can add a whole lot of phizz-whizzing fun to your day!
