Roald Dahl’s books were firm favourites of mine growing up. His stories are funny, magical, occasionally rather frightening and filled with characters you never forget. I’m looking forward to sharing them with my own children and discovering which ones become their favourites. If you want to read Roald Dahl books in order, the first thing to know is that most of his children’s stories are standalone books. You can therefore begin with Matilda, The BFG, The Twits or whichever story appeals to you most.
There are two notable exceptions:
- Read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
- Read Boy: Tales of Childhood before Going Solo.
Below, you will find Roald Dahl’s children’s books in publication order, followed by his adult fiction, autobiographical writing, poetry and other published works.
Updated 27 August 2026
Roald Dahl Books in Order
Quick List of Roald Dahl’s Children’s Books
Here are Roald Dahl’s principal children’s storybooks in publication order:
- The Gremlins – 1943
- James and the Giant Peach – 1961
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – 1964
- The Magic Finger – 1966
- Fantastic Mr Fox – 1970
- Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator – 1972
- Danny the Champion of the World – 1975
- The Enormous Crocodile – 1978
- The Twits – 1980
- George’s Marvellous Medicine – 1981
- The BFG – 1982
- The Witches – 1983
- The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me – 1985
- Matilda – 1988
- Esio Trot – 1990
- The Vicar of Nibbleswicke – 1991
- Billy and the Minpins – 1991
This is the simplest list for anyone who wants to collect or read Roald Dahl’s children’s stories. However, it does not include his poetry collections, autobiographies or writing for adults. You will find those further down the page.
1. The Gremlins – 1943
The Gremlins was Roald Dahl’s first children’s book. Inspired by RAF folklore, it tells the story of small creatures blamed for mechanical problems aboard aircraft.
The story was originally connected to a proposed Walt Disney film, although the completed film was never made. Copies of the original book can now be difficult and expensive to find, so this is not necessarily the best place for a modern reader to begin.
It is also worth clearing up a common misconception: The Gremlins was not illustrated by Quentin Blake. Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake began working together many years later.
2. James and the Giant Peach – 1961
This was Roald Dahl’s first major children’s novel and remains one of his best-known stories. It follows James Henry Trotter as he escapes his unhappy life and begins an extraordinary journey inside a gigantic peach.
It is an imaginative adventure containing friendship, danger and plenty of Dahl’s characteristic dark humour. It’s one of our favourites.
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – 1964
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory introduces Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka, the five Golden Tickets and possibly the most famous chocolate factory in fiction.
It is one of Roald Dahl’s most popular books and has inspired films, stage productions and a musical. If you are introducing a child to Roald Dahl for the first time, this is an excellent place to start. It is such an exciting story for them.
4. The Magic Finger – 1966
The Magic Finger is a short story about a young girl whose anger activates a mysterious power. When she turns that power on a family of enthusiastic hunters, they are forced to see the world from a very different perspective.
Its short length makes it particularly approachable for children moving on from picture books to longer stories.
5. Fantastic Mr Fox – 1970
Mr Fox must outwit three thoroughly unpleasant farmers: Boggis, Bunce and Bean. The result is a fast, funny story about family, resourcefulness and refusing to be defeated by bullies.
It is another good introductory Roald Dahl book, particularly for children who enjoy animal stories. We’ve read this one several times, and everyone cheers on Mr Fox and his friends and family.
6. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator – 1972
This is the sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and should be read after it.
Charlie, his family and Willy Wonka leave the chocolate factory aboard the Great Glass Elevator. Their journey takes them into space and brings them into contact with some exceptionally unpleasant creatures.
Although it is not quite as famous as the first Charlie book, it continues the story directly.
7. Danny the Champion of the World – 1975
Danny lives with his father in a gypsy caravan beside their garage. When they find themselves facing a wealthy and disagreeable landowner, the pair devise an ingenious plan involving pheasants and sleeping pills.
This is one of Dahl’s warmer stories, with the relationship between Danny and his father at its heart. This was one of my favourites as a child and I never tire of re-reading it.
8. The Enormous Crocodile – 1978
The Enormous Crocodile is determined to eat a child and invents a series of “secret plans and clever tricks” to catch one. Fortunately, the other animals are equally determined to stop him.
This picture book was the first Roald Dahl title illustrated by Quentin Blake. Their collaboration would go on to shape the appearance of many of Dahl’s best-loved characters.
9. The Twits – 1980
Mr and Mrs Twit are horrible to one another, cruel to animals and generally revolting to everyone they encounter. Fortunately, the Roly-Poly Bird and the Muggle-Wump monkeys have a plan.
The Twits is funny, disgusting and rather dark, which is probably exactly why so many children love it.
10. George’s Marvellous Medicine – 1981
George decides to replace his grandmother’s regular medicine with a mixture of practically everything he can find around the house. Unsurprisingly, the results do not go according to plan.
This story should probably be accompanied by a reminder that children must never attempt to make or consume their own “medicine”.
11. The BFG – 1982
Sophie is taken from her bed by the Big Friendly Giant and carried to Giant Country. Unlike the other giants, the BFG does not eat people. Instead, he collects and distributes dreams.
The friendship between Sophie and the BFG makes this one of Dahl’s most charming stories. It is one of my personal favourites.
12. The Witches – 1983
A boy and his grandmother discover that the witches of England are holding their annual meeting at their hotel. Unfortunately, the witches have developed a plan to make every child in the country disappear.
This is one of Dahl’s darker and more frightening children’s books. Sensitive younger readers may prefer to save it until they are a little older.
13. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me – 1985
Billy dreams of owning an unusual old building called The Grubber. He soon meets a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey who have turned it into the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company.
This is a shorter, gentler story and a good choice for younger Roald Dahl readers.
14. Matilda – 1988
Matilda Wormwood is an exceptionally intelligent child surrounded by adults who either underestimate or mistreat her. She finds friendship in Miss Honey and a formidable enemy in the terrifying Miss Trunchbull.
Matilda is one of Dahl’s most enduring books. I personally prefer the book to the film, although the musical has introduced the story to a whole new generation.
15. Esio Trot – 1990
Mr Hoppy is in love with his neighbour, Mrs Silver, but she is devoted to her tortoise, Alfie. Mr Hoppy creates an elaborate plan involving numerous tortoises and a mysterious backwards spell.
It is a shorter and more gently paced story than many of Dahl’s other books.
16. The Vicar of Nibbleswicke – 1991
The new vicar of Nibbleswicke suffers from a form of dyslexia that causes him to say certain words backwards. The results create considerable confusion among his parishioners.
Published after Dahl’s death, this short book was created to support the Dyslexia Institute.
17. Billy and the Minpins – 1991
Originally published as The Minpins, this was Roald Dahl’s final literary work. The story follows Little Billy as he enters a forbidden forest and discovers tiny people living in its trees.
The book was published posthumously in 1991. A later edition, retitled Billy and the Minpins, featured illustrations by Quentin Blake.
That’s the list of Roald Dahl books in order, or at least the children’s books. Let’s look closer at some of the other Roald Dahl books in order.
Roald Dahl’s Poetry Books in Order
Roald Dahl also rewrote familiar fairy tales and created poems about a wonderfully unpleasant collection of animals.
- Revolting Rhymes – 1982
- Dirty Beasts – 1983
- Rhyme Stew – 1989
These books contain some more mature jokes and Dahl’s usual gruesome humour, so parents may want to read them before sharing them with younger children.
Roald Dahl’s Autobiographical Books in Order
Roald Dahl wrote two main autobiographical books:
- Boy: Tales of Childhood – 1984
- Going Solo – 1986
Read Boy first. It covers Dahl’s childhood, school days and early experiences, some of which later influenced his fiction.
Going Solo continues his story into adulthood, including his time working in East Africa and serving as an RAF pilot during the Second World War.
These books are particularly interesting for older children and adults who want to understand where some of Dahl’s characters, settings and ideas originated.
Roald Dahl’s Books for Adults in Order
Roald Dahl was not exclusively a children’s author. He also wrote novels and short stories for adults, many containing unsettling situations, cruel twists and very dark humour.
His principal adult works in publication order are:
- Over to You: Ten Stories of Flyers and Flying – 1946
- Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen – 1948
- Someone Like You – 1953
- Kiss Kiss – 1960
- Switch Bitch – 1974
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More – 1977
- Tales of the Unexpected – 1979
- My Uncle Oswald – 1979
- More Tales of the Unexpected – 1980
- Two Fables – 1986
- Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life – 1989
These should not be treated as children’s books. Some contain adult themes and material that would be unsuitable for younger readers.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More sits somewhere between the two audiences and is often enjoyed by teenagers and adults.
Other Books and Non-Fiction
Roald Dahl’s other published works include:
- Memories with Food at Gipsy House – 1991, later republished as Roald Dahl’s Cookbook
- Roald Dahl’s Guide to Railway Safety – 1991
- My Year – 1991
Different “complete” Roald Dahl book lists may also include screenplays, plays, later compilations and collections published after his death. This is why the total number of Roald Dahl books varies depending on what is being counted.
What Order Should You Read the Charlie Books?
The Charlie books should be read in this order:
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
The second book begins with Charlie, his family and Willy Wonka travelling in the Great Glass Elevator, so it makes much more sense after reading the original story.
Which Roald Dahl Book Should You Read First?
There is no compulsory order for most Roald Dahl books. For a first experience, I would suggest choosing according to the reader’s age, interests and confidence.
For younger readers:
Try The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, The Magic Finger or Fantastic Mr Fox.
For growing independent readers:
Try Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, George’s Marvellous Medicine or The BFG.
For confident readers:
Try Matilda, Danny the Champion of the World, James and the Giant Peach or The Witches.
For older children and teenagers:
Try Boy, Going Solo, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More and the poetry collections.
These are only approximate suggestions. Dahl’s stories frequently include unpleasant adults, danger, death and rather gruesome humour, so a child’s individual sensitivity matters just as much as their reading ability.
Are Roald Dahl Box Sets Complete?
Many popular Roald Dahl box sets contain 15 or 16 children’s books, but they do not necessarily include every work he published.
A children’s box set may leave out:
- The Gremlins
- The Vicar of Nibbleswicke
- Billy and the Minpins
- Poetry collections
- Autobiographical books
- Adult short stories and novels
- Non-fiction and specialist publications
Check the individual titles shown on the box before buying if you want a particular story or a genuinely comprehensive collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Roald Dahl’s first book?
Roald Dahl’s first children’s book was The Gremlins, published in 1943. His first major children’s novel was James and the Giant Peach, published in 1961.
What was the last book Roald Dahl wrote?
His final literary work was The Minpins, now commonly published as Billy and the Minpins. It appeared posthumously in 1991.
Do Roald Dahl’s books need to be read in order?
Most do not. The main exceptions are the two Charlie books and the autobiographical pairing of Boy and Going Solo.
How many books did Roald Dahl write?
There is no single total because lists count his work differently. The answer changes depending on whether you include children’s stories, adult fiction, poetry, autobiographies, screenplays, non-fiction and collections assembled after his death. The Roald Dahl Museum’s published works timeline is a useful authoritative reference.
Which is Roald Dahl’s most famous book?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Witches and James and the Giant Peach are among his best-known books. The best choice is very much a matter of personal preference.
Did Quentin Blake illustrate every Roald Dahl book?
No. A number of illustrators worked on Dahl’s books. Quentin Blake’s first collaboration with him was The Enormous Crocodile, published in 1978. Blake later illustrated many other Dahl titles, and his distinctive drawings are now closely associated with the author’s work.
Roald Dahl Books in Order
Roald Dahl created an extraordinary range of stories, from giant peaches and chocolate factories to dream-catching giants and exceptionally clever children.
If you only want to read his children’s novels, you can start almost anywhere. Choose a story that suits the reader and enjoy it on its own. If you want to explore his complete body of work, remember that his adult fiction is considerably darker and should be kept separate from the children’s collection.
My own childhood favourites included The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda. I’m now looking forward to revisiting them with my children and discovering whether they choose the same favourites—or surprise me completely.
You might also enjoy my complete Roald Dahl movies list, including the film adaptations inspired by these stories.