10+ Best Roald Dahl Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect Roald Dahl books for 4-year-olds? You're in the right place! Roald Dahl's magical storytelling captures the hearts of children and adults alike, making his books a fantastic choice for introducing young readers to the joy of reading. In this blog, we'll explore various lists of Roald Dahl books that are just right for 4-year-olds. Keep reading to discover which of these enchanting tales will best spark the imagination of your little one!

Fun Roald Dahl Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This story features a greedy crocodile who loves to eat juicy little children and his clever tricks to catch them. However, the other jungle animals plan to stop his sneaky schemes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging read with a good mix of suspense and humor. The repetitive nature of the crocodile's tricks can help reinforce sequence and prediction skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy mischievous characters and animal stories.

• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The clever Mr. Fox lives with his family in a burrow, stealing food each night from three mean and wealthy farmers. When the farmers get fed up and try to dig them out, Mr. Fox devises a plan to outsmart them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases themes of cleverness, bravery, and family solidarity in an accessible and entertaining way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories about animals and clever tricks.

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named James escapes from his dreary life with two cruel aunts by entering a giant magical peach. Inside, he meets a group of oversized talking insects and embarks on a surreal adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination with its creative and whimsical adventures, helping young readers develop a sense of wonder and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy magical stories and dreaming big.

• The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A young boy, Billy, meets a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey who are window cleaners. Together, they embark on an adventure involving a rich Duke and a burglar.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a delightful tale that encourages teamwork and friendship, with plenty of laughs and a touch of mystery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who like stories about friendship and teamwork.

• The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A girl with magical powers is upset about her neighbors' hunting hobby and accidentally uses her magic finger on them, leading to unexpected transformations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces themes of empathy and respect for nature in a light, accessible manner.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have a strong sense of justice and care about animals.

Educational Roald Dahl Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This enchanting tale follows a young girl named Sophie who befriends the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). Together, they embark on a mission to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, empathy, understanding of different perspectives
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that combines humor and adventure, making it a captivating read for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories of friendship and magical adventures.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory with four other children, which turns into a magical and slightly dark adventure.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, moral lessons, cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling journey into a whimsical world filled with imaginative inventions and important life lessons.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy magical realism and learning about consequences through storytelling.

• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: George decides to make a medicine to cure his grumpy grandma's crankiness, but the results are explosive and unexpected.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, experimental thinking, understanding of actions and reactions
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and scientific curiosity through its humorous and exaggerated storyline.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a mischievous streak and an interest in science and experimentation.

Challenging Roald Dahl Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Matilda, a brilliant and sensitive little girl who uses her extraordinary intellectual and telekinetic powers to overcome obstacles posed by her family and school, and helps her beloved teacher reclaim her life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of child empowerment and complex family dynamics are explored through rich language and intricate storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the joy of learning and the power of standing up against adversity, inspiring young readers to believe in their own abilities.
  • Perfect for: Gifted children and young readers who enjoy stories about triumph over adversity with a touch of magic.

• Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
  • Synopsis: Mr. Hoppy, a shy old man, devises a plan to win the heart of his neighbor, Mrs. Silver, by helping her tortoise grow using a fake magical spell.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book introduces subtle themes of affection and problem-solving through a whimsical plot that requires careful thought to understand.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to themes of love and ingenuity, wrapped up in a humorous and heartwarming story.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate stories about animals and clever problem-solving.

• Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Young Danny lives with his father in a caravan, and they share a life filled with love and simple joys until Danny discovers his father's secret passion for pheasant poaching, leading them on an adventurous plot against a wealthy landowner.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves complex moral questions and a deep exploration of father-son relationships, presenting a more nuanced view of right and wrong.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a thrilling adventure and a touching depiction of familial bonds, encouraging young readers to think about ethics and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and readers who enjoy tales of mischief and moral dilemmas.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your 4-year-old to the magical world of Roald Dahl can be an enriching experience! To make the most out of this literary journey, here are some fun exercises that can help develop good reading habits from an early age:

• Picture Storytelling
  • What it is: Create a story using pictures from Roald Dahl books.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and helps in understanding the sequence of events.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite images and encourage them to explain what's happening in their own words.

• Character Pretend Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from Roald Dahl books with your child taking on the role of a character.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and emotional empathy.
  • Tips: Help your child pick out simple props or costumes to make the play more engaging.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and create rhymes similar to those found in Dahl's books.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and language skills.
  • Tips: Start with simple words and gradually move to more complex rhymes as your child progresses.

• Story Map Drawing
  • What it is: Draw a map based on the settings from a Roald Dahl story.
  • How it helps: Enhances spatial thinking and recall ability.
  • Tips: Use colorful markers and ask your child to narrate the story as they draw.

• Book-Based Puzzles
  • What it is: Create puzzles using sentences or character names from the books.
  • How it helps: Helps with word recognition and problem-solving skills.
  • Tips: Keep the puzzles simple; consider using large pieces of paper and bold text.

These exercises are not just educational, but also a lot of fun! They provide a wonderful opportunity for you to bond with your child while exploring the enchanting stories of Roald Dahl. Enjoy watching your little one grow into a budding reader with these creative activities. Happy reading!