The Magic Finger Award-winning author by Roald Dahl (author) (UK edition)

Author/Illustrator

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, South Wales on September 13th 1916. His parents were Norwegian, and were called Harald and Sofie. He went to Repton school, in Derbyshire, and left school in 1933.

His first job was in Africa, with the Shell Oil Company. In the second world war he fought as a fighter pilot, and was badly injured when his plane crashed. After the war he worked in America, and soon started writing stories.

His very first children’s book, written in 1943 was called The Gremlins. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the President of the USA liked it so much he was invited to the White House and became friends with the President, Franklin D Roosevelt.

He wrote a number of books and short stories for adults, many of which were televised as the hugely popular Tales of the Unexpected.

But it was as a children’s author that he found greatest fame and satisfaction, saying “I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers…Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful.” Millions of fans around the world agreed and have chuckled and gasped at his amazing stories. His mesmerising stories, written in sizzling, sparkly language, will lead you into adventures you’ll never ever forget!

From 1945 until his death, he lived at Gipsy House, in Buckinghamshire, where he wrote his famous children’s books. He died in hospital in Oxford, on November 23rd, 1990. His books have continued to be read and loved, and have been made into a number of hit films, including Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can even visit the Roald Dahl Museum in the village where Dahl lived for most of his life.

In 2009 the Roald Dahl Funny Prize was established in his memory.

Reviews

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What kids think

1. leo2005
   on 24 January 2015

   It is a great and magical story! The Gregg family turning into birds and much more!

   5 out of 5

2. 21105
   on 22 March 2014

   Really good

   5 out of 5

3. Cheerforevers
   on 9 March 2014

   This is about a little girl who has a magic finger.

4. 5gimae
   on 5 March 2014

   A funny story bit I have seen better books by Roald Dahl

   4 out of 5

5. Chocolatelover10
   on 20 June 2013

   This book is extremely well written and really hilarious I found it really interesting how much people do and don’t respect animals.

   4 out of 5

6. lolly123
   on 20 April 2013

   i liked it but it wasnt the best book i have read

   4 out of 5

7. book97
   on 18 April 2013

   good

   4 out of 5

8. EpiphoneMan
   on 28 March 2013

   This book is a very funny magical story. I am wondering why people start to itch when we are shy or shocked. Read to find out how the Gregg’s family turned into themselves again

   5 out of 5

9. Mills8
   on 25 March 2013

   I like this book because it s funny and exciting! It is hard to put down. I like the bit were the lady’s arms turn into wings!

10. fluffy07
    on 15 March 2013

    I love it

11. bettyrose4
    on 10 March 2013

    Have YOU ever been angry with someone? What if every time a person upset you, you could zap them with your magic flashing finger? This story is about a little girl who can do just that! She turns her horrible teacher into a creature with whiskers and a tail. And as for the nasty Greggs family who hunt ducks next door – her magic finger has something very special in store for THEM! Quack! With a wonderful message about getting what you give, this classic Roald Dahl favourite will delight readers young and old.

12. fiery75orange
    on 7 March 2013

    Love it.

13. supercoolcharm
    on 7 March 2013

    This is a great book on how a little girl , with the power of her finger, turned the Gregg family into what they shoot (ducks) is a great read

    5 out of 5

14. Helloioioi
    on 7 March 2013

    this book is just ok.

15. samcharlie123
    on 7 March 2013

    Probably my favourite Roald Dahl book! I love the storyline.

    5 out of 5

16. lap312i
    on 6 March 2013

    its about a girl who can has power in her finger

17. rockstar101
    on 6 March 2013

    i love it

18. ninjastickman
    on 5 March 2013

    This is a great book on how a little girl , with the power of her finger, turned the Gregg family into what they shoot (ducks) is a great read

    5 out of 5

19. Sherlock25
    on 5 March 2013

    Not one of my faves but still a good book :)

20. Bookworm-mania101
    on 5 March 2013

    Awesome so funny

21. Too-Amazayn
    on 5 March 2013

    Roald Dahl is just too cool, his imagination and brilliant story telling makes for amazing and simply timeless books. A little girl with the power to zap things in to the way she wants them? brilliant

    4 out of 5

22. natashakrywald
    on 4 March 2013

    roald dahl is epic!

23. pawprint2
    on 4 March 2013

    Roald Dahl is hilarious

    5 out of 5

24. lmdrld
    on 4 March 2013

    This is about a girl whose finger is magic and turns a family into ducks.

25. gpurohit74
    on 4 March 2013

    I think this wa superb as this shows the felling of the girl. it includes all the elements of a good book. And it is funny too. the best part of the book is when the family became birds.they are shocked

    5 out of 5

26. TheMileLongBookshelfBlog
    on 4 March 2013

    I think this is the first long-ish book I read! It’s a great story.

27. Sava
    on 24 February 2013

    I have read it Really good

28. lulillyno
    on 22 February 2013

    it was the coolest book i ever read. it is magical.she is the coolest girl on earth.

    5 out of 5

29. dude1234
    on 21 February 2013

    its funny!!!!!!!!!!!

30. bluechew3214
    on 16 February 2013

    This is a wonderful adventurous book with a miracle in ths story (that’s what it’s mainly based on). I find Roald Dahl book interesting..ESPECIALLY THIS ONE!

31. onedirection2004
    on 16 February 2013

    I think it is good but not one of the best books. I think that it is for younger children about 5-6. It is quite short so if you’re quite a confident reader then longer books would be better for you. When I read it I was six and I found it exiting but now i am eight I think it is quite boring. By Ella

    3 out of 5

32. funny29
    on 11 January 2013

    It is a lovely and enjoyful book. By funny29

33. booklover001
    on 9 May 2012

    very good book, my class teacher read it to my class and I.

    4 out of 5

34. Flissy22
    on 7 March 2012

    this book is quite funny, i would reccomend it to everyone.

35. smileitsfriday
    on 7 March 2012

    I’d love to have a magic finger! This book was great! * * * * *! This is one of the best books ever!

36. www-hello-com
    on 5 March 2012

    I loved it!

    5 out of 5

37. la1397
    on 4 March 2012

    I thought the magic finger was such a funny mini read, and couldn’t put it down. I think it’s one of those books, that you just have to read, to understand the humour behind it, but it’s another fantabulistic book from Roald Dahl. Fantastic!

38. StarstoneShyElk
    on 2 March 2012

    loved it!

39. Bookworm81
    on 1 March 2012

    A brilliant book that I’d recommend to everyone

40. lids
    on 1 March 2012

    ONCE AGAIN ANOTHER BRILL ROALD DAUL STORY BUT PROBALLY BEST FOR 6-8 YR OLDS

41. flossy1998
    on 26 February 2012

    I read this book in primary it is#wicked!

42. booksrcul
    on 18 September 2011

    Interesting.

    3 out of 5

43. Molly13579
    on 8 September 2011

    Hi, This book is very good for early reader.Unfortuneatley this book didnt really suit me as I love a challenging book. I still do love reading Roald Dahl books but next time I’m going to have a look for a more challenging book. From Kim

44. 88ilovebooks88
    on 17 August 2011

    i lloed the book

45. idocheerandiamaflyer
    on 26 June 2011

    I have read this book, many of times. It is written in first person(I or me) and she tells her story of what she saw

    5 out of 5