The Roald Dahl Treasury [Hardcover]

Roald Dahl (Author), Lane Smith (Illustrator), b (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up

This extraordinary collection takes readers on a fascinating journey into Dahl's unique imagination. At over 400 pages, it's filled with Dahl's best-loved fiction for children as well as much autobiographical material. It contains stories, rhymes, and memoirs as well as unpublished poetry and letters. Lavishly produced and illustrated in full-color, it features artwork by such prominent illustrators as Quentin Blake, Lane Smith, and Raymond Briggs.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Anyone who has ever read James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory knows that Roald Dahl is a man capable of working magic on young people. The wonderfully weird worlds he evokes are so perfectly in tune with children's imaginations that--PRESTO!--he has completely enchanted kids (and adults, we admit) around the world.

This splendidly illustrated treasury--which we discovered with unfettered glee--showcases excerpts from the above books, along with short stories, rhymes, memoirs, unpublished poetry, and personal letters. A host of Dahl's best-loved characters are here, from the Enormous Crocodile to Willie Wonka. The whole shebang is fabulously illustrated by Quentin Blake, Ralph Steadman, and a myriad of other fine artists. Young Roald Dahl fans will devour this book eagerly, and those who have never met Charlie Bucket, Matilda, or the Vermicious Knids will want to get their hands on everything he's ever written. (All ages)

From the Inside Flap

A wonderful collection for Dahl devotees to treasure as a keepsake, as well as a superb introduction to Dahl for those children (if any exist) who have not yet read any of his work.

The Roald Dahl Treasury brings together some of the most dazzling moments in the work of this extraordinary writer. Divided into four parts: Animals; Magic; Family, Friends and Foes; and Matters of Importance, it includes complete picture tales; excerpts from Dahl?s longer stories; poetry (some previously unpublished); and autobiographical material and letters -- some written as a young boy to his mother.

Outstanding artwork is a feature of the book; there?s Quentin Blake, of course, but other illustrious children?s illustrators -- Raymond Briggs, Posy Simmons, Ralph Steadman, Patrick Benson, Charlotte Voake and Babette Cole -- are in there too. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670877697
• ISBN-13: 978-0670877690
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Llandaff, South Wales, and went to Repton School in England. His parents were Norwegian, so holidays were spent in Norway. As he explains in Boy, he turned down the idea of university in favor of a job that would take him to"a wonderful faraway place. In 1933 he joined the Shell Company, which sent him to Mombasa in East Africa. When World War II began in 1939 he became a fighter pilot and in 1942 was made assistant air attaché in Washington, where he started to write short stories. His first major success as a writer for children was in 1964. Thereafter his children's books brought him increasing popularity, and when he died children mourned the world over, particularly in Britain where he had lived for many years.The BFG is dedicated to the memory of Roald Dahls eldest daughter, Olivia, who died from measles when she was seven - the same age at which his sister had died (fron appendicitis) over forty years before. Quentin Blake, the first Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom, has illustrated most of Roald Dahl's children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What I liked and didn't like about the Dahl Treasury, February 8, 2002

By 

A 9-year old reader (Atlanta, GA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roald Dahl Treasury (Hardcover)

I am nine and a half years old. I liked the variety of stories and poems, but I was frustrated at first because I thought I would be reading entire stories. Instead, I found that the Treasury included only chapters of some stories. Short stories, like the Enormous Crocodile, were entirely included.

This book left me searching for the complete works of Roald Dahl.

82 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Excellent author, but doesn't include complete stories., November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Roald Dahl Treasury (Hardcover)

My daughters favorite author is Roald Dahl, but she was really frustrated when we got the book because it contains mostly excerpts from various books he has written. It would be much better if it had complete stories. We had to go out and buy the full versions of the stories. It is marketed as a complete treasury but falls short. The illustrations are neat.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real treasure for Dahl fans., April 2, 1998

By 

Gayle Hodur ([e-mail]) (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roald Dahl Treasury (Hardcover)

While it's not a replacement for reading the complete works of Roald Dahl, this book is a lovely tribute to him and a good selection of his works. Personal tributes from some people who knew him well combine with excerpts from his longer books and full-text of some of his shorter works, including some items previously unpublished. This book is an excellent tool for teachers and librarians who would like to read aloud a variety of Dahl selections and excite students about reading the complete books for themselves. It's a real treat for anyone who loves the wry English wit of Dahl and the quirky illustrations of Quentin Blake, a treasure to own and use.