Roald Dahl’s books have a special kind of magic. They’re bold, quirky, a little mischievous—and completely unforgettable. With unforgettable characters like Matilda, Charlie, and the BFG, his stories spark laughter, stretch imaginations, and make reading feel like an adventure.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite Roald Dahl books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included creative activities and discussion questions to bring these beloved stories to life. Let me know which Roald Dahl book is a favorite in your home or classroom!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Roald Dahl?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Roald Dahl
- How To Use Books About Roald Dahl With Children
- 11 Roald Dahl Books For Children
- What Roald Dahl Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Roald Dahl?
Roald Dahl books are wildly imaginative and endlessly fun—kids can’t help but get hooked.
From magical powers and flying peaches to chocolate rivers and talking foxes, these stories invite readers into worlds where anything can happen. But beneath all the silliness and surprise, Roald Dahl always includes big-hearted lessons about bravery, fairness, creativity, and kindness.
These books encourage kids to root for the underdog, dream big, and believe in their own cleverness—no matter what challenges they face.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Roald Dahl
Beyond the fun and fantasy, Roald Dahl’s books offer powerful opportunities for learning and reflection.
His stories often center around strong-willed, curious children who stand up to bullies, injustice, and even grown-ups who’ve forgotten how to be kind. They teach kids about empathy, standing up for what’s right, and staying hopeful in tricky situations.
The rich language, inventive wordplay, and surprising plots also help young readers build vocabulary, comprehension, and a true love for storytelling.
How to Use Books about Roald Dahl with Children
Here are a few ways to make your reading experience even more whoopsy-whiffling:
- 📚 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: Would you rather visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory or fly with the BFG? or How did Matilda stay strong even when others tried to bring her down? In class, use Turn and Talk to compare favorite characters or quotes.
- 🎨 Engage in Roald Dahl-Themed Activities: Make a dream jar like the BFG, invent your own chocolate bar, or write a “revolting rhyme” inspired by The Twits. You could even host a “Dahl Day” with costumes and themed snacks!
- 📖 Refer Back to the Books: When talking about courage, kindness, or imagination, reference moments from Dahl’s books. For example, Remember how James used his cleverness to escape the aunts? These stories are great SEL conversation starters.
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Encourage families to read Roald Dahl books aloud together—his stories are just as delightful for grown-ups as they are for kids. Add in fun voices and shared laughs to create lasting reading memories.
11 Roald Dahl Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 “The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me” by Roald Dahl
Billy, a young boy with dreams of owning a sweet shop, meets three extraordinary animals—a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey—who form the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. When the group is hired by the Duke of Hampshire to clean all 677 windows of his mansion, an unexpected adventure unfolds. Together, they foil a burglary and earn a new beginning.
This charming story emphasizes friendship, teamwork, and the magic of pursuing your dreams. Dahl blends whimsy with a message of imagination and opportunity—reminding readers that even the most unusual team can accomplish great things when they work together.
Activity Suggestion: Dream Shop Drawing – Have children draw their dream shop and what they’d sell, like Billy’s sweet shop.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the window-cleaning team so unique?
- How did the animals use their special skills to solve problems?
- What do you think this story says about working together?
#2 “The Enormous Crocodile” by Roald Dahl
The Enormous Crocodile is hungry—and he wants a child for lunch! He hatches several “clever” plans to catch a tasty snack, but the other jungle animals won’t stand for it. From the Roly-Poly Bird to the Elephant, each animal steps in to stop the greedy croc from succeeding in his wicked schemes.
This story offers a humorous yet important lesson about selfishness and consequences. Through the crocodile’s repeated failures and the jungle animals’ teamwork, children learn about standing up to bad behavior and protecting others.
Activity Suggestion: Kindness Poster – Make a poster showing ways to stand up for others like the jungle animals did.
Discussion Questions:
- Why didn’t the other animals let him get away with his tricks?
- What happened to the crocodile in the end?
- What does this story teach about helping others?
#3 “Fantastic Mr. Fox” by Roald Dahl
Mr. Fox is clever, fast, and fantastic—but he’s also in trouble. The mean farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean are fed up with him stealing their food, and they hatch a plan to catch him once and for all. Mr. Fox must outwit them to feed his family and friends.
This story is a classic tale of brains over brawn. It celebrates cleverness, courage, and doing what it takes to protect those you love. It also explores the themes of perseverance and resourcefulness in the face of injustice.
Activity Suggestion: Build a Burrow Map – Have children draw or craft a model of Mr. Fox’s underground tunnel system.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do the farmers want to catch Mr. Fox?
- How does Mr. Fox stay one step ahead of them?
- What does this story teach us about creativity and determination?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl
After the tragic loss of his parents, James lives with his cruel aunts. But everything changes when he discovers a magical peach that grows to an enormous size. Inside, he finds insect friends and embarks on a fantastical journey.
This story explores the power of friendship, resilience, and imagination. James transforms from a timid child into a confident leader thanks to the kindness and camaraderie of his companions.
Activity Suggestion: Giant Peach Diorama – Create a 3D craft showing James and his insect friends inside the peach.
Discussion Questions:
- How does James change during the story?
- Which insect friend would you most want to travel with—and why?
- What do you think the story teaches about family and friendship?
#5 “The BFG” by Roald Dahl
Sophie, a curious orphan, is whisked away in the night by the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). Together, they set out on a mission to stop the man-eating giants.
The BFG beautifully blends fantasy with messages of bravery, empathy, and friendship. Sophie and the BFG find strength in one another and prove that small voices can make a big impact.
Activity Suggestion: Dream Jar Craft – Create jars filled with imagined dreams like the BFG’s collection.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes the BFG different from the other giants?
- How do Sophie and the BFG work together to stop the mean giants?
- What lesson do you think Roald Dahl wanted us to learn through the BFG?
#6 “The Twits” by Roald Dahl
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are a nasty, mean-spirited couple who love playing cruel tricks—on each other, animals, and anyone around them. But when the Muggle-Wump monkeys and birds they’ve mistreated fight back, the Twits finally get what they deserve.
This hilarious tale teaches that cruelty, negativity, and unkindness eventually backfire. It reminds children that kindness and teamwork are more powerful than meanness.
Activity Suggestion: Upside-Down Room Craft – Recreate the monkeys’ upside-down revenge scene using paper and drawings.
Discussion Questions:
- What do the Twits do that makes them so unpleasant?
- How do the animals work together to trick the Twits?
- What message does this story share about kindness?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 “Esio Trot” by Roald Dahl
Mr. Hoppy secretly loves his neighbor Mrs. Silver, who adores her pet tortoise Alfie. To impress her, he secretly switches out Alfie for larger tortoises, making it seem like Alfie is growing thanks to a magic spell.
This gentle love story shows how kindness, patience, and small acts can lead to big connections. It also shows how creative solutions can help people build relationships.
Activity Suggestion: Tortoise Craft – Make a paper tortoise shell and decorate it like Alfie’s.
Discussion Questions:
- Why does Mr. Hoppy want to help Mrs. Silver?
- What do you think about his secret tortoise-swapping plan?
- What does this story say about finding courage?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 “George’s Marvelous Medicine” by Roald Dahl
George decides to make a new medicine for his grumpy Grandma using wild ingredients like shampoo, glue, and animal pills. The results are explosive—and hilarious.
This imaginative story explores childhood creativity and consequences. It encourages kids to think critically about actions and inspires wild invention and curiosity.
Activity Suggestion: Marvelous Potion Mix-Up – Let kids make pretend potions with kitchen-safe items like food coloring and baking soda.
Discussion Questions:
- Why does George want to make a new medicine?
- What happens when Grandma takes it?
- What do you think the story teaches about experimentation?
#9 “Matilda” by Roald Dahl
Matilda is a smart, kind girl with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. She discovers telekinetic powers and uses them to protect her classmates and help her gentle teacher, Miss Honey.
Matilda shows that intelligence, kindness, and courage can overcome cruelty. It’s a celebration of self-empowerment, resilience, and justice.
Activity Suggestion: Book Lover’s Bookmark – Design bookmarks inspired by Matilda’s love of reading.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes Matilda different from her family?
- How does Miss Honey support her?
- What lessons does this book teach about fairness?
#10 “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl
Charlie, a kind boy from a poor family, finds a golden ticket and visits Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. One by one, the other children fall victim to their bad behavior, while Charlie’s humility leads to a sweet surprise.
This story celebrates kindness, honesty, and imagination. Each child’s behavior highlights a different life lesson, making it both entertaining and meaningful.
Activity Suggestion: Candy Invention Challenge – Let kids invent their own magical candy creation and describe its powers.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes Charlie different from the other ticket winners?
- What does the story teach about behavior and consequences?
- What kind of candy would you invent?
#11 “The Witches” by Roald Dahl
A boy discovers that real witches exist—and they want to eliminate children! When he’s turned into a mouse, he and his brave grandmother launch a plan to stop the witches once and for all.
This spooky tale shows that courage and cleverness can defeat evil. It explores bravery, standing up to danger, and trusting those who care for us.
Activity Suggestion: Witch Spotter Guide – Create a booklet using clues from the story to identify witches.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes the witches so dangerous?
- How does the boy stay brave after becoming a mouse?
- What role does the grandmother play in the story?
What Roald Dahl Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Roald Dahl books have stood the test of time because they make kids feel powerful, seen, and ready to take on the world—with a bit of humor and magic, of course. Whether you’re reading for fun, for class, or for connection, these stories always deliver something gloriumptious.
Which Roald Dahl adventure is next on your list? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite quotes, crafts, or character-inspired fun!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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