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All 49 Roald Dahl Books in Order: The Definitive Reading List (1943–1991)
Trying to place Roald Dahl’s books in the right order can feel a little like opening one of Willy Wonka’s doors. You think you know what is inside, then suddenly you find wartime stories, adult fiction, poetry, memoir, picture books, recipes, safety guides, giants, witches, foxes, and a very clever girl called Matilda.
So, if you are looking for roald dahl books in order, the first thing to know is this: different lists count Dahl’s work differently.
Some lists only include his children’s books. Others include adult short story collections, poetry books, autobiographical works, posthumous books, and special publications. That is why you may see different totals online. This guide keeps the focus on Dahl’s published works from 1943 to 1991, while making the reading path easy for parents, teachers, young readers, and curious adults. The Roald Dahl Museum’s official timeline also organises his published works by decade, which is the clearest way to follow his writing journey.
This blog follows the supplied brief for a chronological reading list of Dahl’s books from 1943 to 1991, including publication year, book type, a short description, and reader level.
Before the List: Who Was Roald Dahl?
Before we jump into the books, let’s answer the basic question: who is roald dahl?
He was a British author born in Wales in 1916 to Norwegian parents. He became famous for children’s stories full of strange humour, sharp villains, clever children, and unforgettable ideas. He also wrote adult short stories, poetry, memoir, scripts, and other works. So, when people ask who is roald dahl, the answer is bigger than “the author of Matilda”. He was a storyteller with a long, varied, sometimes surprising career.
Readers also ask how old is roald dahl because his books still feel so alive. Dahl was born on 13 September 1916, and he died on 23 November 1990. So, how old is roald dahl today is not a living-age question, but a historical one. His stories belong to the twentieth century, yet children still discover them as if they were written for right now.
1940s: The Wartime Beginning
1943: The Gremlins
Book type: Children’s fantasy, wartime story
Reader level: Older children and collectors
This was the first roald dahl book. It came from RAF folklore about mischievous little creatures blamed for aircraft trouble. It feels different from Dahl’s later children’s classics, but it already shows his love of odd creatures and playful chaos. The Roald Dahl Museum identifies The Gremlins as his first children’s book.
1946: Over to You: Ten Stories of Flyers and Flying
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
This collection drew from Dahl’s wartime flying experience. It is not a children’s book, but it helps show where his darker, sharper storytelling began.
1948: Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen
Book type: Adult novel
Reader level: Adults
This was Dahl’s first adult novel. It also connects back to the gremlin idea, but in a darker form.
The 1940s matter because they show Dahl before the giant peaches and chocolate factories. The first roald dahl book did not define his whole career, but it opened the door.
1950s: The Adult Short Story Years
1953: Someone Like You
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
This collection shows Dahl’s taste for dark humour, twists, and unsettling endings. It is useful for adults who want to understand his storytelling style beyond children’s fiction.
This period answers part of the question what books did roald dahl write. He did not only write for children. He spent years building a reputation through adult stories before his children’s books became the work most readers know.
1960s: The Children’s Classics Begin
1960: Kiss Kiss
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
A collection of adult stories with Dahl’s familiar twisty style. One story, “The Champion of the World”, later helped inspire Danny the Champion of the World.
1961: James and the Giant Peach
Book type: Children’s fantasy adventure
Reader level: Confident young readers, read-aloud families
Here is where the Dahl many children know begins to appear clearly. James escapes his awful aunts inside a giant peach with strange insect companions. It is funny, odd, sad, and magical.
1964: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Book type: Children’s fantasy
Reader level: Children aged around 8 and up
Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket and enters Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. This is one of Dahl’s most famous ideas and still one of the easiest starting points for new readers.
1966: The Magic Finger
Book type: Short children’s fantasy
Reader level: Younger readers
A girl with magical power teaches a hunting family an unforgettable lesson. It is short, direct, and useful for children not ready for Dahl’s longer books.
If you are asking what books did roald dahl write for children, the 1960s are where the answer becomes exciting. The strange worlds, mistreated children, and satisfying justice start to take shape.
1970s: Foxes, Fathers, Crocodiles, and Wonka’s Elevator
1970: Fantastic Mr Fox
Book type: Animal adventure
Reader level: Younger to middle-grade readers
Mr Fox outsmarts three horrible farmers. It is short, clever, and one of the best first Dahl books for younger readers.
1972: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Book type: Children’s fantasy sequel
Reader level: Readers who enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This sequel sends Charlie, his family, and Willy Wonka into even stranger territory. It is wilder and less tidy than the first Wonka book.
1975: Danny the Champion of the World
Book type: Children’s adventure, family story
Reader level: Middle-grade readers
This is one of Dahl’s warmer stories. It focuses on Danny and his father, countryside life, secrets, and poaching. The Roald Dahl Museum notes that this book also includes the first mention of the BFG.
1978: The Enormous Crocodile
Book type: Picture book
Reader level: Younger children
A crocodile has “secret plans and clever tricks”, but things do not go his way. This was the first Dahl book illustrated by Quentin Blake, according to the Roald Dahl Museum timeline.
1979: Tales of the Unexpected
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
A collection linked to Dahl’s adult stories and television reputation. Best kept for adult readers.
1979: My Uncle Oswald
Book type: Adult novel
Reader level: Adults
This is adult fiction and not part of the children’s shelf.
The 1970s show why the question what is roald dahl famous for cannot be answered with only one book. He was famous for range: foxes, chocolate, family warmth, dark adult stories, and wonderfully nasty comic ideas.
1980s: Dahl’s Most Recognisable Decade
1980: The Twits
Book type: Children’s comic fiction
Reader level: Children who enjoy disgusting humour
Mr and Mrs Twit are horrible, filthy, and cruel. Children often love this book because the villains are so memorably awful.
1980: More Tales of the Unexpected
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
Another adult collection for readers interested in Dahl’s darker short fiction.
1981: George’s Marvellous Medicine
Book type: Children’s comic fantasy
Reader level: Middle-grade readers
George creates a wild medicine for his horrible grandmother. It is chaotic, funny, and best read with a reminder that children should not copy George’s experiments.
1982: The BFG
Book type: Children’s fantasy
Reader level: Middle-grade readers, strong read-aloud choice
Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant, who catches dreams and speaks in wonderful mixed-up language. It is one of Dahl’s gentlest and most loved books.
1982: Revolting Rhymes
Book type: Children’s poetry
Reader level: Older children who enjoy cheeky humour
Classic fairy tales are retold with a Dahl twist. Funny, sharp, and a little rude in places.
1983: The Witches
Book type: Children’s dark fantasy
Reader level: Older or confident children
A boy and his grandmother face real witches. This is one of Dahl’s scarier books, so it suits readers who enjoy spooky stories.
1983: Dirty Beasts
Book type: Children’s poetry
Reader level: Children who enjoy comic poems
A collection of funny animal poems with Dahl’s usual bite.
1983: Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories
Book type: Edited anthology
Reader level: Older readers and adults
Dahl selected ghost stories by other writers. It is part of his publishing world, but not a book of original Dahl stories.
1984: Boy: Tales of Childhood
Book type: Autobiography
Reader level: Older children and adults
Dahl tells stories from his childhood. This is a great choice for readers who want to understand the memories behind his fiction.
1985: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Book type: Short children’s story
Reader level: Younger readers
A boy meets an unusual window-cleaning team made up of animals. Light, playful, and easy to enjoy.
1986: Going Solo
Book type: Autobiography
Reader level: Older children and adults
This continues Dahl’s life story, covering his early adulthood, work in Africa, and wartime flying experiences. The Museum describes it as a direct follow-on from Boy.
1986: Two Fables
Book type: Adult short fiction
Reader level: Adults
A short collection of two stories for adult readers.
1988: Matilda
Book type: Children’s novel
Reader level: Middle-grade readers
Matilda is brilliant, bookish, patient, and powerful in a quiet way. This is one of Dahl’s most loved books and a favourite in schools and homes.
1989: Rhyme Stew
Book type: Poetry
Reader level: Older children and adults
Dahl’s third poetry collection, often better suited to older readers because of its cheekier tone.
1989: Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life
Book type: Adult short story collection
Reader level: Adults
A collection of rural stories with dark humour and unexpected turns.
If someone asks what is roald dahl famous for, the 1980s almost answer by themselves. The BFG, The Witches, and Matilda are central to his reputation. They are strange, funny, bold, and full of the child-centred justice that made him memorable.
1990–1991: Final Works and Posthumous Publications
1990: Esio Trot
Book type: Short children’s story
Reader level: Younger to middle-grade readers
A quieter, gentler story about Mr Hoppy, Mrs Silver, and a tortoise called Alfie.
1991: The Vicar of Nibbleswicke
Book type: Children’s story
Reader level: Middle-grade readers
Published after Dahl’s death, this story was created to raise awareness of dyslexia.
1991: Billy and the Minpins
Book type: Children’s fantasy
Reader level: Middle-grade readers
A forest adventure and Dahl’s final work of literature. It was first published as The Minpins and later appeared in a Quentin Blake edition.
1991: Memories with Food at Gipsy House
Book type: Anecdotes and recipes
Reader level: Families and adult fans
A food-related collection connected to Dahl’s home life and memories.
1991: Roald Dahl’s Guide to Railway Safety
Book type: Safety guide
Reader level: Children
A practical safety guide written for young readers and distributed in UK primary schools.
1991: My Year
Book type: Nature writing, memoir-style observations
Reader level: Older children and adults
A month-by-month book based on Dahl’s notes about the natural world around his home.
These final works show a softer and more reflective side of Dahl. They also remind us why people ask how old was roald dahl when he died. He died in 1990 at the age of 74, yet several works appeared around or after that final year. How old was roald dahl when he died is a factual question, but the reading list shows that his creative presence continued beyond the date.
Who Illustrated the Books?
A Dahl reading list would feel incomplete without the artwork.
So, who illustrated roald dahl books? The illustrator most closely connected with Dahl is Quentin Blake. His loose, expressive drawings became the classic look of Dahl’s world. Still, different illustrators were involved across earlier editions, and the Roald Dahl Museum notes, for example, that James and the Giant Peach had several illustrators across editions.
Readers often ask who illustrated roald dahl books because the pictures are part of the memory. Matilda looks small but brave. The Twits look disgusting. The BFG looks enormous and gentle. Strong illustration helped the books become instantly recognisable.
Where Do the Films Fit?
If you are moving from books to screen, roald dahl movies can be a fun next step.
Popular adaptations include Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The BFG. Britannica also notes major film adaptations of works such as Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Witches, and Matilda.
The best way to use roald dahl movies is simple: read first when possible, then watch and compare. Children often enjoy spotting what changed, what stayed, and whether the screen version matches the book in their imagination.
How to Choose the Right Dahl Book First
A full list is helpful, but you do not need to start at the beginning.
For younger readers, try The Enormous Crocodile, Fantastic Mr Fox, or The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me. For confident children, try Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, or Matilda. For readers who like spooky stories, The Witches is a strong choice. For older readers who want the life behind the books, Boy and Going Solo are excellent.
This is where roald dahl books in order becomes useful, but not strict. Publication order helps you understand the career. Reading order should fit the reader.
What Writers and Publishers Can Learn From the List
Dahl’s publishing journey also teaches practical lessons for modern authors.
He built a memorable voice. He created strong ideas. He wrote across forms. He worked with illustrators whose style helped define the books. His stories moved from page to film, stage, classroom, and family shelves.
Authors using Book Publishing Services, Book Printing Services, Book Marketing Services, Author Website Services, Ghostwriting Services, or Ebook writing Services can learn from this. A book’s life does not end when the manuscript is finished. Strong publishing, design, positioning, and visibility all help readers discover and remember the work.
This also connects to the question how many books has roald dahl written. The answer is not just a number. It is evidence of a long creative career built across decades, audiences, and formats. When someone asks how many books has roald dahl written, they are really asking how one writer built such a lasting shelf.
Final Thoughts
Roald Dahl’s published work is bigger than many people expect. He began with The Gremlins in 1943, moved through adult stories and children’s classics, reached some of his greatest popularity with books such as The BFG, The Witches, and Matilda, and left behind final works that appeared around 1990 and 1991.
A chronological list helps you see the journey. It shows a writer changing, experimenting, returning to old ideas, and building a voice that children still recognise.
You do not have to read everything at once. Start with the book that feels right, then let Dahl’s strange, funny, dark, and brilliant world open one door at a time.