Roald Dahl is beloved for his whimsical children's books filled with imagination and humor. Classic works such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda remain favorites among readers.
If you enjoy reading books by Roald Dahl then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Roald Dahl's dark humor and quirky storytelling, you'll enjoy Lemony Snicket. His books combine clever writing, playful narration, and just enough misfortune to keep readers entertained.
Snicket's series, A Series of Unfortunate Events, follows the Baudelaire siblings through absurd predicaments, mysteries, and villainous encounters, all described with witty humor and sharp irony.
David Walliams' books are full of funny, warm-hearted adventures and eccentric characters that fans of Roald Dahl will easily appreciate. Walliams cleverly addresses genuine emotional experiences while making sure there's lots of fun along the way.
In Gangsta Granny, he creates a delightful tale about a boy who discovers unexpected excitement with his seemingly ordinary grandma.
Readers who enjoy Dahl's imaginative stories and sense of wonder might love Eva Ibbotson's magical worlds. She has a wonderful talent for writing adventures featuring witches, ghosts, and fantasy elements, always told with kindness, humor, and gentle magic.
Her book, Which Witch?, is an engaging tale of a wizard's funny and chaotic quest to find himself a fitting witch bride.
If Dahl's quirky imagination appeals to you, Neil Gaiman's creative and magical stories could be perfect for your taste. Gaiman's books have a playful mood mixed with snippets of darkness and whimsy.
His novel Coraline tells a fascinating story about a young girl who stumbles into a strange parallel world that is exciting, unsettling, and truly imaginative.
Dahl fans who love magical worlds with humor and creativity will find a lot in Diana Wynne Jones' novels. She crafts clever stories full of sharp wit, believable characters, and wonderfully creative magical situations.
In Howl’s Moving Castle, readers follow Sophie, who becomes older under strange magical circumstances, as she embarks on an adventure alongside the eccentric wizard Howl.
Louis Sachar writes imaginative stories filled with humor, absurdity, and thoughtful insights into friendship and fairness. His characters are often young outsiders or underdogs who face challenges with courage and wit.
Readers who enjoy Dahl's playful stories and memorable characters will find much to love in Sachar's Holes, a tale about misunderstood kids, mysterious curses, and surprising redemption.
Shel Silverstein blends whimsy and humor to create poems and stories that charm readers of all ages. Like Roald Dahl, Silverstein approaches serious themes with playful silliness and imagination.
His famous collection, Where the Sidewalk Ends, uses funny verses and quirky illustrations to celebrate childhood wonder and encourage free thought.
Daniel Handler, writing under the name Lemony Snicket, creates quirky, darkly humorous narratives filled with absurd twists, sly wordplay, and an underlying wit.
If you enjoy Roald Dahl's clever, wickedly funny stories, you'll likely appreciate Handler's A Series of Unfortunate Events, which recounts the bleak yet hilarious misadventures of the resourceful Baudelaire siblings.
Chris Van Allsburg invites readers to explore imaginative worlds where mystery and wonder sit side by side. His picture books blend brilliant visuals and enigmatic stories, capturing a sense of magical realism that Dahl fans will find engaging.
For example, his celebrated book Jumanji brings a wild board game to life, transforming ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.
Terry Pratchett combines sharp wit, satire, and fantastical adventures in his humorous stories. Like Dahl, Pratchett explores human nature and societal absurdities through quirky characters facing unusual circumstances.
A great entry point into Pratchett's playful storytelling is The Wee Free Men, which tells of young Tiffany Aching bravely confronting hilarious chaos and magical misadventure.
Edward Gorey creates quirky, darkly humorous tales full of eccentric characters and ironic twists. He blends whimsical style with sinister themes, much like Roald Dahl does in his darker stories.
An excellent starting point is The Gashlycrumb Tinies, an alphabet rhyme filled with macabre humor about the unfortunate fate of 26 children. Fans of Dahl's dark wit will appreciate Gorey's playful morbidity and distinctive illustrations.
Frank Cottrell Boyce writes imaginative and heartwarming children’s books that combine humor with thought-provoking themes. His stories, filled with adventure and quirky situations, reflect realities of life in a fun yet meaningful way—much like Dahl's best books do.
Try Millions, a humorous novel about two brothers who unexpectedly obtain a fortune, bringing excitement, moral dilemmas, and plenty of laughs.
Saki, whose real name was H.H. Munro, delighted readers with short, witty tales filled with satire and unexpected twists. He has a gift for highlighting the absurdities of society with sharp humor and clever storytelling, similar to Dahl's clever style.
The Open Window is a brief yet memorable story showcasing Saki's talent for subtle humor and surprise endings.
Katherine Rundell is known for creative and enchanting children's literature. Her stories blend vivid imagination, quirky characters, and deep kindness, qualities that Roald Dahl readers will recognize.
Check out Rooftoppers, about a young girl searching for her long-lost mother in Paris—an adventure full of warmth, wonder, and a hint of eccentric charm.
Andy Stanton writes wildly imaginative, laugh-out-loud funny books with eccentric characters and playful language. Like Roald Dahl, Stanton delights in absurd storylines and magical quirks, making his books appealing and memorable.
Readers might start with You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!, a fun, outrageous tale that combines silly humor with unlikely heroes and surreal adventures.