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“Lamb to the Slaughter” (1953) 

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story that was first published in the September 1953 issue of Harper’s magazine. The story is one of suspense with strong elements of the black humor for which the author is noted in his works for both adults and children. It was later included in Dahl’s short story collection Someone Like You which became a Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award winner in 1954.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)

This children’s novel tells the story of a boy living in impoverished circumstances and his adventures inside a magical chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Mr. Willie Wonka. The novel was at least partly inspired one of the few bright spots in Dahl’s otherwise miserable school days in England: he and his classmates often served as chocolate bar tasters for a local chocolate maker seeking student opinions. The novel served as the basis for the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder as well as for Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation starring Johnny Depp, which used the same name as the novel.

Matilda (1988)

Matilda, Dahl’s last work of children’s literature, won the Children’s Book Award shortly after publication in 1988. Illustrated by Quentin Blake, to date the novel has sold over 17 million copies. Matilda was made into a feature film in 1996, directed by Danny DeVito, who also starred as Mr. Wormwood. A critically acclaimed musical based on the novel, Matilda the Musical, was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and opened at Stratford-upon-Avon 2010 and then in London’s West End in 2011 and on Broadway in 2013.

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