Matilda Award-winning by Roald Dahl (author)

Author/Illustrator

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, South Wales on September 13th 1916. His parents were Norwegian, and were called Harald and Sofie. He went to Repton school, in Derbyshire, and left school in 1933.

His first job was in Africa, with the Shell Oil Company. In the second world war he fought as a fighter pilot, and was badly injured when his plane crashed. After the war he worked in America, and soon started writing stories.

His very first children’s book, written in 1943 was called The Gremlins. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the President of the USA liked it so much he was invited to the White House and became friends with the President, Franklin D Roosevelt.

He wrote a number of books and short stories for adults, many of which were televised as the hugely popular Tales of the Unexpected.

But it was as a children’s author that he found greatest fame and satisfaction, saying “I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers…Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful.” Millions of fans around the world agreed and have chuckled and gasped at his amazing stories. His mesmerising stories, written in sizzling, sparkly language, will lead you into adventures you’ll never ever forget!

From 1945 until his death, he lived at Gipsy House, in Buckinghamshire, where he wrote his famous children’s books. He died in hospital in Oxford, on November 23rd, 1990. His books have continued to be read and loved, and have been made into a number of hit films, including Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can even visit the Roald Dahl Museum in the village where Dahl lived for most of his life.

In 2009 the Roald Dahl Funny Prize was established in his memory.

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What kids think

1. bright303
   on 18 January 2016

   ♥♥♥

   5 out of 5

2. orlalou03
   on 19 September 2015

   This is a classic. Must read and then watch the film.

   5 out of 5

3. mrunu00
   on 17 September 2015

   she is a more like a book worm just like all of us her parents are horrible not ours

4. Catdragon
   on 2 September 2015

   I think this book is epic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the songs in the musical

   5 out of 5

5. yoyoimsocool330
   on 24 June 2015

   this book is really a very nice one. i liked it a lot and suggest everyone espacially to 11-15 yr olds to give it a try

   5 out of 5

6. Bookworm003
   on 22 April 2015

   Poor Matilda though she is truly amazing miss honey is really kind

   4 out of 5

7. starchild06
   on 13 April 2015

   is good but is mean the mother and father are mean

8. JetStar
   on 30 March 2015

   This book is one of my all-time favourite books and everyone in my school loves it! 😃

   5 out of 5

9. AnnabethChase123
   on 16 March 2015

   Really nice book. A bit sad at parts and also slightly funny. I recommend this book to everyone.

   5 out of 5

10. Delia78
    on 14 March 2015

    I think this book is amazing and I really enjoyed it

    5 out of 5

11. Ravenclawcat
    on 6 March 2015

    This book is hilarious my teacher read it out to the class. I defently want to read it again!

12. mrunu
    on 2 March 2015

    I have read this book Matilda is just mad about reading just like me.

13. Mal76
    on 26 February 2015

    This book is one of my favorites. But this book is totally first place. Matilda is an amazing genius…. learnt to read when she was about 2, new her 12 times tables when she was 5… and so on. there’s a movie about Matilda too… make sure you watch and read the book as well!!!!!!! I say this is the best book that Roald Dahl ever wrote, along with Charlie & the Chocolate factory!

    5 out of 5

14. PIKACHU123
    on 22 January 2015

    i really loved it. it was so funny

15. butterskoopid9741
    on 13 December 2014

    its a wonderful story written by roald dahl in a very funny manner …. matilda…. an extra ordinary young girl with a enthusiastic magic power

    5 out of 5

16. Ava1102
    on 24 August 2014

    I loved it

    5 out of 5

17. leila12
    on 5 July 2014

    I LOVE IT !

18. SocialityLover9
    on 30 June 2014

    Interesting read for bookworms like me, very suspending, I fully recommend this book for girls (and maybe boys) that are about 7-10, and I agree if you are very fluent in reading you will probably enjoy this book as much as I did. I’m not going to spoil the story, but I CAN say that Matilda is a small girl that started reading from 1 year old, and really hard medicine words, like Ibuprofen. I hope you enjoy reading this book!

    5 out of 5

19. ilovematilda
    on 12 June 2014

    omg it was so awsome she is realy great i love her!

    5 out of 5

20. lady16
    on 27 May 2014

    Good book was my favourite before I read another book. Otherwise this would be my favourite

21. elsaice
    on 14 May 2014

    I like matilda because roal dahls illistrations are very special and I like many parts in the story like when matilda used her powers on the truchbull otherwise its awsome

    5 out of 5

22. Jacquelinewilson677
    on 18 April 2014

    Matilda Wormwood’s father is a mean crooked crook.And her mother is just plain stupid.They think Matilda is a nuisance who should watch more TV and fewer books! But her lovely teacher Miss Honey thinks Matilda is a genius.Matilda has a few extraodinary tricks up her sleeve,so her horrible parents and even more horrible headmistress better watch out…!!

    5 out of 5

23. IZZYFIZZY7769
    on 12 April 2014

    cool

    5 out of 5

24. Khadiga
    on 9 March 2014

    this book is what i would give a 5 out of 5 because it shows you what would happen if you don’t take care of your adopted child, they end up hating you and living with their teachers as their new gardian.I love this book.

25. Book-Lover1234
    on 9 March 2014

    I found this book very powerful in many different ways! Matilda is such a good book and the characters are the best part!

26. nicky1230
    on 9 March 2014

    Matilda is a very good book. It is a story about a very young girl who enjoys reading. Her parents tell her that she is to young to read and that she should watch televison so that she can learn on that. Matilda once finished all her books and newspapers that her dad reads and then decides to go to the libary to read bigger books. the libarian is so shocked to see her and lets her read. It is an amazing adventure to show how she learns to read and how enjoyable it is.

    5 out of 5

27. Cheerforevers
    on 9 March 2014

    This is a lovely story.

28. alibaba4
    on 8 March 2014

    I hate ms trunchball Matilda is cute

29. bee100xxx
    on 8 March 2014

    Matilda started from 5 years old to begin her passion of reading but her parents is sure that she brings shame to the family. When will they ever learn?....

    4 out of 5

30. Roodieroo
    on 8 March 2014

    This is my favorite book ever must read

31. Bubblegum1234
    on 8 March 2014

    a lovely read!

32. Lovely1010
    on 8 March 2014

    Love the book and movie both!!

    5 out of 5

33. bookaholic202
    on 8 March 2014

    Matilda’s mind powers are so cool but her family is awful. I’m glad that Ms Honey adopts her.

34. Aniyah
    on 8 March 2014

    Love this book it’s my favourite wish I had powers and I love miss honey

    5 out of 5

35. Potterfan7
    on 8 March 2014

    intelligent!!

36. wanda1
    on 8 March 2014

    amazing its for anyone and everyone!!!!!!!!

    5 out of 5

37. AshyMoo
    on 7 March 2014

    i think matilda really good reader i like it when someone says mrs d, mrs i,mrs ffi, mrs c,mrs u, mrs lty

    5 out of 5

38. belle007
    on 7 March 2014

    Its really good

    5 out of 5

39. Spidergirl
    on 6 March 2014

    About a girl with magic powers Love this story

    4 out of 5

40. NatKlymko
    on 5 March 2014

    Whenever I read this book, I always imagine myself in her place. Recommend for readers 7+.

41. Celine1
    on 5 March 2014

    I read this book and I loved it from the beginning and I also loved the way she had a happy ending it’s lovely

42. Booklover0109
    on 5 March 2014

    This book is about a girl who has been blessed with the intelligence of knowing everything but her family just see her as a girl who sits in the corner.

    If you liked the movie then you will LOVE this!!

43. Catherine0703
    on 5 March 2014

    Matilda likes to read but her parents just think ‘why read a book when you can watch it on the television

44. willawonka
    on 5 March 2014

    Matilda’s mum always went to bingo in the afternoon, her brother went to school during the day and her dad was a car dealer.

    5 out of 5

45. saghana19
    on 5 March 2014

    .Matilda discovers her love of books and by the age of three, has taught herself to read. At four she has read all the children’s stories in the library. She is oblivious to her brilliance and her parents are less than encouraging. “What’s wrong with the telly, for heaven’s sake?” her father demands, while her mother insists that brains never got a woman anywhere.

    I

    It is not until Matilda attends school and meets the lovely Miss Honey that anyone begins to nurture her talent. But things don’t become easier for Matilda there. She must survive a place ruled by the frightening and larger-than-life Miss Trunchbull who has Matilda in her sights, insisting she is “a nasty little worm”.

    Within the familiar schoolground setting, Roald Dahl takes his readers into the world of one little girl enduring cruelty, loneliness and an overwhelming power to teach lessons to the adults in her life. The combination of speaking directly to the reader and crawling into the minds of his characters, is classic Dahl. Only he could be responsible for dreaming up the amazing tales of disciplinary proceedings at Crunchem Hall Primary School.

    This story is beautifully heartwarming; a surprising mix of humour, adventure and mystery. And, as with any Dahl story, Matilda provides a strong message to children: you can do it.

    5 out of 5

46. rslnkrmt2552
    on 5 March 2014

    a book telling the importance of reading books… must read it…

47. peddiereddie
    on 4 March 2014

    I loved the book. I’m known as Matilda around my school. I absolutely love Miss Honey, she is perfect! This is absolutely brilliant for children all ages. (Mostly older children) I love the fact that she has magical powers!

    5 out of 5

48. heyay234
    on 3 March 2014

    When I read Matilda it was a really great book especially when the mute went on Mrs Trunchbull and she started screaming. It is a really awesome book for kids 9-10 and you learn some new words too. I think you should read it because it is really interesting and brings the reader’s attention!

49. kitty77
    on 17 October 2013

    This is a funny and comical book.Matilda is treated badly by her family but this makes her get powers! Weird but cool!

    5 out of 5

50. cuddlypear
    on 24 May 2013

    A wonderful Roald Dahl story. Matilda is indeed one of his best books. Matilda is a five year old genius who starts reading around the age of one. Still the book has a magical touch…

51. Poppy123464
    on 12 May 2013

    5 stars

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