Charlie and the Christmas Factory: A glorious collection of festive short stories, inspired by the world and characters of Roald Dahl

by Roald Dahl

Why is Matilda worried about being on the naughty list?



What happens when years after the creation of his original marvellous medicine George’s granddaughter Gigi decides to make her own potion?



And how does Charlie plan to celebrate Christmas at the chocolate factory?



A magical and hilarious short-story collection from 13 bestselling, much-loved storytellers. This is the perfect seasonal read featuring 12 brand-new short stories based on their author’s favourite Roald Dahl characters.



Illustrated throughout by Klauss Flugge Prize-longlisted artist Rikin Parekh, with stories from Adam Hills (The Enormous Crocodile), Adam Kay (George’s Marvellous Medicine), Ben Bailey Smith (James and The Giant Peach), Elle McNicoll (Matilda), Greg James and Chris Smith (The Twits), Hannah Gold (Fantastic Mr Fox), Konnie Huq (Danny the Champion of the World), Nadia Shireen (The BFG), Nathan Bryon (The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me), Pamela Butchart (The Witches), Sally Rippin (The Magic Finger), and Sibéal Pounder (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

499 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big Roald Dahl fan I really loved these stories. I liked how the writingstyle and somewhat of the old storyline is kept in. The only reason why I don’t give it 5 stars is because of the fact that some stories with the same characters are in a now timeline instead of a then timeline. (The giraffe, the pelly, the monkey and me story especially).

I do recommend the book though also really good for kids to read!

[Iain Hawkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was weird for me - like many, Dahl was a staple of my childhood reading, but reading these short stories as an adult? I dunno, I'm arguably just the wrong age for them now, but I found most of them hit or miss. Matilda's awesome as always though.

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bad book
Canny

[Esha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2024: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

-Charlie and the Christmas Factory: ⭐️⭐️
-George's Marvellous Christmas: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
-The Gigantic Australian Crocodile: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
-The Crinklemas Phizzwizard: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
-Matilda and the Naughty List: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
-The Giraffe and the Pelly and the Runaway Baubles: ⭐️⭐️
-The Witches' Festive Flop: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Sammy, Lisa & Danya, Champions of Christmas: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Twits in the Great Carrot Caper: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Gran and the Magic Finger: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Jesse and the Giant Peach Stone: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
-Fantastic Frankie Fox: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

[Manic Booksy Dreamgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun collection of festive follow ups to Roald Dahls classic stories. My personal favourite was Nadia Shireens BFG story "The Crinklemas Phizzwizard".

[Kyrie McTravels · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great book full of laughter and hilarious stories that will make you laugh all day.