Anyone who’s picked up a Roald Dahl book as a child remembers the feeling — the mischievous wonder, the sly humor, the villains you love to hate. But with 19 children’s books to choose from, knowing where to start can be puzzling. This guide lays out the reading order, age recommendations, and sales figures so you can find the perfect Dahl for any reader.
Total children’s books published: 19 ·
Best-selling title worldwide: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (over 20 million copies) ·
Year of first children’s book: 1961 (James and the Giant Peach)
Quick snapshot
- Roald Dahl wrote 19 children’s books (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works))
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the best-selling title (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers))
- James and the Giant Peach was the first children’s book (1961) (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog))
- Exact sales figures for some titles vary by source
- Some adult books have uncertain publication dates
- From James and the Giant Peach (1961) to Esio Trot (1990), Dahl published 19 children’s books over 29 years (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog))
- Start with easier books like The Enormous Crocodile or Esio Trot for young readers, then progress to classics like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works))
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Roald Dahl |
| Born | 13 September 1916, Llandaff, Wales |
| Died | 23 November 1990, Oxford, England |
| First children’s book | James and the Giant Peach (1961) |
| Last children’s book | Esio Trot (1990) |
| Total children’s books | 19 |
| Best-selling book | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (20M+ copies) |
The table above distills the essential biographical and bibliographic data for Roald Dahl, showing a career that spanned nearly three decades.
What are some of Roald Dahl’s most famous books?
Matilda
- Published in , Matilda follows a brilliant young girl with telekinetic powers. It has sold over 17 million copies worldwide (Goodreads (the world’s largest community for readers)).
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Published in , this story about Charlie Bucket’s visit to Willy Wonka’s factory is Dahl’s best-selling book, with over 20 million copies sold (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
The BFG
- Published in , the Big Friendly Giant captures dreams and delivers them to children. It has sold over 10 million copies (Goodreads (the world’s largest community for readers)).
James and the Giant Peach
- Published in , this was Dahl’s first children’s book. It tells the story of a boy who travels inside a giant peach with insect friends (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)).
The Twits
- Published in , The Twits is a short, funny book about a horrible couple. It is under 100 pages and often recommended for younger readers (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers)).
The implication: Dahl’s most beloved titles span three decades, but they all share a signature blend of dark humor, clever children, and grotesque adults. Sales figures confirm that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda are the undeniable heavyweights.
What is the order of the Roald Dahl books?
Publication order of children’s books
- : James and the Giant Peach
- : Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- : The Magic Finger
- : Fantastic Mr. Fox
- : Danny the Champion of the World
- : The Enormous Crocodile
- : The Twits
- : The BFG
- : The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
- : Matilda
- : Esio Trot (final children’s book)
- : The Minpins (published posthumously)
Source: Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)
Publication order of adult books
- Dahl also wrote several adult short story collections, such as Kiss Kiss (1960) and Switch Bitch (1974). These are not covered in this children’s guide, but they show his range as a writer (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
The pattern: Dahl’s children’s books were published steadily over three decades, with the longest gap (six years) between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox. After 1991, no new children’s fiction was added.
What age is best for Roald Dahl books?
Ages 5-7: picture books and early readers
- The Enormous Crocodile and Esio Trot are short, with simple vocabulary and illustrations. Penguin recommends these for children aged 5 and up (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works)).
Ages 7-9: classic chapter books
- Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are suitable for ages 7+. BookVine notes that 7- to 8-year-olds handle these stories well (BookVine (a children’s book review platform)).
Ages 9-12: longer novels
- The Witches and The BFG have more complex themes and longer page counts. School Reading List places these in Year 3 (ages 7‑8) and up (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers)).
Teens and adults: mature themes
- Dahl’s autobiographical works Boy: Tales of Childhood and Going Solo, along with his adult short stories, are recommended for ages 12+ and adult readers (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)).
What is Roald Dahl’s most sold book?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sales figures
- Over 20 million copies sold worldwide (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
Matilda sales figures
- Over 17 million copies sold worldwide (Goodreads (the world’s largest community for readers)).
Other top sellers
- The BFG has sold over 10 million copies (Goodreads (the world’s largest community for readers)).
- James and the Giant Peach and Fantastic Mr. Fox are consistently among Dahl’s top-selling titles, though exact figures vary by source (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers)).
If you’re buying one Dahl book for a child, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the safest bet by far — it has the broadest appeal and the biggest sales numbers. But Matilda is almost as popular, especially among girls.
What is the easiest Roald Dahl book to read?
The Enormous Crocodile
- This picture book has very simple vocabulary and short sentences, making it ideal for beginning readers aged 5 and up. It was first published in (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)).
The Twits
- Under 100 pages with repetitive, easy-to-follow plot. Suitable for ages 6-7 (BookVine (a children’s book review platform)).
Esio Trot
- A short story with a repetitive structure about a man who speaks tortoise. Published in , it is one of Dahl’s shortest books and perfect for early readers (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works)).
The easiest books are also the shortest. They introduce Dahl’s humor without the darker moments that appear in The Witches or Matilda. That’s ideal for young or sensitive readers.
Timeline: Roald Dahl’s children’s book journey
- – James and the Giant Peach published
- – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory published
- – Fantastic Mr. Fox published
- – The Twits published
- – The BFG published
- – Matilda published
- – Esio Trot published (final children’s book)
Data source: Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog) and Roald Dahl Museum (the official museum dedicated to Dahl’s life and work)
The implication: Dahl’s most creative burst was in the 1960s and 1980s. After his death in 1990, only one children’s book (The Minpins) was published posthumously.
What we know and what we’re unsure about
Confirmed facts
- Roald Dahl wrote 19 children’s books (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works))
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the best-selling book (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- James and the Giant Peach was the first children’s book (1961) (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog))
What’s still unclear
- Exact sales figures for some titles vary by source — numbers for The BFG and Matilda differ across publishers (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers))
- Publication dates for some adult short story collections are inconsistently reported
Quotes from experts and readers
The Roald Dahl Museum notes that Dahl’s books have been translated into 63 languages, making him one of the most widely read children’s authors in the world.
— Roald Dahl Museum
According to Wikipedia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and remains a staple of children’s literature.
— Wikipedia
Goodreads readers consistently rate Matilda as one of Dahl’s highest-rated books, with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over one million ratings.
— Goodreads
For parents and educators seeking to introduce children to Dahl’s world, the path is clear: start with the lighter, shorter books for younger readers, then move to the longer classics. Get it right, and you’ll have a lifelong Dahl fan.
For a comprehensive overview of his most beloved works and recommended reading orders, check out this Roald Dahl books guide, which covers everything from age suitability to best-selling titles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Roald Dahl book for a 7 year old?
Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are both excellent choices. They have engaging plots and are written at a level that most 7-year-olds can read independently (BookVine (a children’s book review platform)).
Are Roald Dahl books appropriate for 5 year olds?
Yes, but choose picture books and very short stories like The Enormous Crocodile or Esio Trot. Avoid darker titles like The Witches until they are older (Penguin Books (the UK publisher of Dahl’s works)).
How many Roald Dahl books are there in total?
Roald Dahl wrote 19 children’s books, plus several adult short story collections and autobiographies. The complete oeuvre includes about 40 books in total (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
What is the shortest Roald Dahl book?
Esio Trot and The Enormous Crocodile are both very short — under 50 pages each. The Twits is also short at under 100 pages (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)).
Do Roald Dahl books have illustrations?
Yes, most of Dahl’s children’s books were illustrated by Quentin Blake. His distinctive line drawings are a key part of the reading experience (Roald Dahl Museum (the official museum dedicated to Dahl’s life and work)).
What is the reading level of Matilda?
Matilda is typically assigned a reading level of around 7–8 years old (UK Year 3). It uses fairly advanced vocabulary but is supported by the plot and illustrations (School Reading List (a UK-based educational resource for teachers)).
Are there Roald Dahl books for teenagers?
Yes, Dahl’s autobiographical Boy: Tales of Childhood and Going Solo are suitable for teens. His adult short story collections like Kiss Kiss are also popular with older readers (Rarest Kind of Best (a personal reading blog)).
- Wes Anderson Movies Guide – Anderson directed the film adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox
- The Drover’s Wife: True Story, Plot, Cast & Ending – another classic literary work adapted to film
Ryan Hughes is Senior Reporter at Coast Monitor, covering breaking stories and explainers.