Roald Dahl Books in Order

Any order — they are standalones, except Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), which should be read before its sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972). Sort by age instead: The Enormous Crocodile, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Magic Finger for the youngest; James and the Giant Peach, Charlie, The BFG, The Twits and George’s Marvellous Medicine for 7–10; The Witches and Matilda for 9 and up.

Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are the most loved; The BFG and The Witches are close behind; Danny, the Champion of the World is the one adults most often name as their favorite. Among his adult stories, Someone Like You (1953) is the essential collection.

Roughly 5 to 12, depending on the title. Picture books like The Enormous Crocodile suit 4–7; most of the novels are perfect read-alouds at 6–9 and independent reads at 8–11; The Witches and Matilda have enough menace to be best at 9 and up.

Around 20 books for children, two memoirs (Boy and Going Solo), two adult novels, and well over 60 short stories for adults gathered in collections such as Someone Like You, Kiss Kiss and Tales of the Unexpected — roughly 50 titles in all, plus the many posthumous collections and companion books listed above.

In 2023 the UK publisher Puffin released edited editions with hundreds of wording changes. After public criticism it committed to keeping the original texts in print as well, as The Roald Dahl Classic Collection. US editions were not altered.