Reviewed by Shravan
February 16, 2026
Roald Dahl's magical books are perfect for 5, 6, and 7 year olds starting chapter books. These books are super enjoyable, from books for early readers to more advanced titles as well.
Some of my favorite books from when I was younger were Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the BFG. These are extremely popular books, and I think a lot of people will enjoy them. Some other of my favorites include The Twits, James and the Giant Peach, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
I love the amount of detail and how captivating it is to read these books. When I was younger, I was amazed at the land of Giants, a chocolate waterfall, and so much more. It feels like you have been taken to an entire different world or dimension, and you can feel everything around you.
All in all, the books in this series are excellent, and they will definitely grab the attention of younger readers. I think ages 6+ can easily read these books because they have little to no violence in these books, and they are very tailored to be fun, interesting and captivating.
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Common Questions About Roald Dahl Books
What age are Roald Dahl books for?
Roald Dahl books are recommended for ages 6-8 (Grades 1st-3rd), and they're honestly some of the most fun books for this age group. Easier titles like James and the Giant Peach work great for a 5 or 6 year old, while Matilda and The BFG are perfect for 7-8 year olds. They're a great first step into chapter books.
What is the best first Roald Dahl book to read?
I'd say Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the best starting point — it's the most popular for a reason. For younger readers around ages 5-6, James and the Giant Peach is a good first pick because the story is simpler and the chapters are shorter. Either way, your kid is going to love the humor and the wild imagination in these books.
What reading level are Roald Dahl books?
Most Roald Dahl books fall in the Grades 1st-3rd reading level range. They're a perfect step up from early readers and work really well as a kid's first chapter book experience. The stories are so weird and funny that you forget you're even reading — even kids who hate books usually like these.
Should my child watch the Roald Dahl movies or read the books first?
With so many Roald Dahl movies (Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, The Witches), it's tempting to just watch them all. But have your kid read at least 2 or 3 books first — Dahl's writing is so wild that every kid pictures Willy Wonka's factory completely differently, and that's part of the magic. After reading a book, watching the movie is a blast because your kid will love pointing out what's different.
Roald Dahl Books is recommended for ages 6 - 8 (Grades 1st - 3rd) with Lexile scores ranging from 600L to 840L.