Summary
Roald Dahl is one of the bestselling and most iconic authors in the world. This children’s fiction collection is a perfect introduction to his remarkable body of work because it contains many of his classic children’s novels in one handy keepsake case – make room for this on the bookshelf! New readers will love them, including fan favourites such as The BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Alongside this are lesser-known, but nevertheless absolute gems such as Esio Trot and his autobiographical books Boy and Going Solo. These kids’ fiction books are ideally suited to readers aged 7+.
About the author
Roald Dahl was born in 1916 in Wales. He comes from a Norwegian background but lived mainly in England during his childhood. During the Second World War, Dahl was a spy and a fighter pilot. He also worked for the oil company Shell and even had a hand in inventing life-saving medical equipment.
After publishing his first two novels in the 1940s, Dahl became known as a short story writer for adults. These blackly comic and macabre tales were originally published in Playboy and The New Yorker, then reprinted in bestselling collections such as Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. They were famously adapted for the classic TV series Tales of the Unexpected, which Dahl originally introduced and narrated.
However, he’s best known for his beloved children’s stories. He built a legion of fans across books like The Witches, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach. Although he worked with many illustrators throughout his career, his most enduring partnership was with Quentin Blake. Their collaboration started with the picture book The Enormous Crocodile in 1979 and lasted even past Dahl’s death in 1990. Blake’s work perfectly complements Dahl’s spiky and fablelike tales. These new editions come fully furnished with Blake’s illustrations, including Dahl’s final 1991 novel Billy and the Minpins, which Blake illustrated in 2017.
His books have been adapted many times into other mediums. Many leading directors, including Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Nic Roeg and Quentin Tarantino, have adapted his work into film. Other highlights include Gene Wilder starring in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda the Musical. A prequel called Wonka is forthcoming, as are many more adaptations from Netflix, who bought the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021.
Titles in this set:
- The BFG
- Matilda
- Esio Trot
- George’s Marvellous Medicine
- Fantastic Mr Fox
- Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
- Charlie And The Great Glass Elevator
- Danny The Champion Of The World
- The Magic Finger
- The Twits
- The Witches
- The Giraffe And The Pelly And Me
- James And The Giant Peach
- Boy: Tales Of Childhood
- Going Solo
- Billy And The Minpins
From the publisher
The BFG
The BFG is one of Dahl’s most lovable character creations. Whether galloping off with Sophie nestled into the soft skin of his ear to capture dreams as though they were exotic butterflies; speaking his delightful, jumbled, squib-fangled patois; or whizzpopping for the Queen, he leaves an indelible impression of big-heartedness.
Matilda
In this award-winning Dahl title, Matilda invents a game of punishing her parents when they treat her badly. She soon discovers that she has supernatural powers. The book features a new Quentin Blake cover as well as a whole new exciting end section about Roald Dahl and his world.
Esio Trot
The wonderful, warm-hearted story of Mr Hoppy, Mrs Silver and the tortoise who brings them together. This edition has a great new Quentin Blake cover as well as some new biographical facts about Roald Dahl.
George’s Marvellous Medicine
In this popular Dahl story, George creates a very special medicine to cure his grandma of her nasty habits. Great new Quentin Blake cover, as well as a whole new exciting end section about Roald Dahl and his world.
Fantastic Mr Fox
Boggis, Bunce and Bean are the meanest three farmers you could meet. They are determined to get Mr Fox – but he has other plans! This edition has a great new Quentin Blake cover and new author biography.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public–well, five members of the public, actually. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this is a dream come true.
Charlie And The Great Glass Elevator
New edition, with fresh Quentin Blake cover, of the superb sequel to the ever-popular CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY as well as a whole new exciting end section about Roald Dahl and his world.
Danny The Champion Of The World
A new edition of the well-loved story of Danny and his father who outwit their greedy, rich neighbour, Mr Victor Hazell. With a great new cover by Quentin Blake as well as a whole new exciting end section about Roald Dahl and his world
The Magic Finger
The story of a little girl with magical powers. When someone makes her angry she zaps a punishment on them with her magic flashing finger! This edition has a great new cover, with illustrations by Quentin Blake, and some new facts about Roald Dahl and his world.
The Twits
Mr and Mrs Twit are extremely nasty, so the Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird hatch an ingenious plan to give them just the ghastly surprise they deserve! This edition has a great new Quentin Blake cover as well as a whole new exciting end section about Roald Dahl and his world.
The Witches
The bond between the boy and his grandmother becomes the centrepiece of the tale–a partnership of love and understanding that survives even the boy’s unfortunate transformation into a mouse. And once the two have teamed up to outwitch the witches, the boy’s declaration that he’s glad he’s a mouse because he will now live only as long as his grandmother is far more poignant than eerie.
The Giraffe And The Pelly And Me
The giraffe, the pelican and the agile monkey set out to prove that they are the best window-cleaning company around. This edition has some new facts about Roald Dahl, and a great new cover featuring Quentin Blake’s illustrations.
James And The Giant Peach
A new edition of this hugely popular story of James and his journey to New York with the strangest group of insect friends. Great new Quentin Blake cover and new author biography.
Boy
The remarkable story of Roald Dahl’s early years at school and with his family. Like his stories, Dahl’s childhood tales are unmissable. This edition has a great new Quentin Blake cover and a new end section of facts about Roald Dahl.
Going Solo
The second part of Roald Dahl’s remarkable life story, following on from Boy, tells of his time working in Africa and his wartime exploits. This edition has a great new cover with illustrations by Quentin Blake, and some new facts about Roald Dahl and his world.
Billy And The Minpins
Billy’s mum says he must never go out through the garden gate and explore the dark forest beyond. So, one day, that’s exactly what he does. There he meets the Minpins, tiny tree-dwelling people whose children are the size of matchsticks. They live in fear of the terrible, galloping GRUNCHER. Will it gobble Billy too – or can he find a way to defeat the hungry beast?
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