I am reading Matilda with my kids and it is fucking terrifying.

wont here a bad word said about Dahl! He is fab and all my kids love the books, as do dh and I. My dc's are 5 4 and 22 months and all of them love it. Kids are allowed to feel scared and spooked it's normal! And it's great when you all snuggle in when it gets scary!

I remember reading Matilda and the Twits at about 8 years old and loving the books. However, I was a child who was afraid of the dark and ghosts and things, but the Dahl books never bothered me to that extent.

My boys (6 and 4) love the films of the Witches and Matilda.

I remember when Rik Mayall did George's Marvellous Medicine on Jackanory, and I'm sure I was too old to watch it, but did because he did such a good job of it.

I used to love Roald Dahl books as a child, he was prob my favourite author but they do have a gruesome, creepy streak through them that you really notice as an adult.

I think there is a stage show of George's Marvellous Medicine being advertised at the moment and it struck me afresh how dark Dahl's stuff was, the boy is plotting a murder. It never bothered me when I was younger, I think children are much more black and white about these things, most fairy stories have the baddie dying don't they.

thanks mychildrenarebarmy we had a fab time, as you say I'd happily go again! We got a poster and Tshirts for DTs but plenty of other stuff to waste spend money on.

duckyfuzz If you need any last minute pressies there are some wonderful things in the shop. Enjoy, I am very jealous. I want to go again, and there aren't many shows I'd see more than once.

We love it, off to stratford tomorrow to see the musical, can't wait!

LizzyLordsALeaping Yes. I loved it. So many things about it were fantastic. Such a great show in such a small space. How Miss Trunchbull kept up the way of speaking throughout I have no idea. The main children parts actors/actresses were wonderful.
PurpleKate I had been concerned about the length of it but didn't find it too long. I liked the fact that the length of it meant not leaving things out of the story.

I'm not that keen on Dahl either but DH is very keen on reading Dahl to DD. I think she's not quite so keen but Daddy can do no wrong.

We went to see the musical at Stratford on Saturday and DD absolutley loved it, as did DH. I thought it was too long, but beatufully performed. And although I love Tim Minchin, I hoped the songs would be a bit more memorable.

mychildrenarebarmy , we saw Matilda a few weeks ago, it is amazing isn't it?

We didn't read the book first though as had remembered it was very dark (have a 6 and 4 year old).

I've just read it to dd (she's 3 and named after it- my favourite childhood book). She loves it! We're halfway through The BFG now.

Going to see the muscial in January for my 30th.

I like Roald Dahl because it's gruesome.

don't like that book. We read the first chapter and decided not to continue with it.

My DD absolutely loves the audio book and film. I didn't realise that it mentions suicide though - that really freaked me out.

pugsandseals Go without her. It really is truly fantastic and if it heads to London I WILL be going again.

Now I can cope with the idea of the musical, but that's because of the Tim Minchin involvement! Not sure I'd take DD though she's too sensitive.

mummytime she might also like Madame Pamplemousse and her incredible edibles.

I love Matilda and DD 7 also loves it. She wants to be Matilda (but without the horrid parents). The best part of this year was going to see the musical in Stratford upon Avon. If you like Matilda then I can't recommend it enough.

My 7 year old has just finished reading it, she loved it, and she "doesn't like reading". They're good books to read to class because wth short chapters you can fill the time available and break off easily. It is though only one of the authors my DD will be exposed to at her school.

DD ditched Matilda after just a couple of chapters as she said it gave her nightmares. Teacher is now reading it at school (year 4 class) and she says she is being brave and it's ok

Why do teachers ALWAYS choose Dahl? Is it on the required reading list or something? There are much better things out there IMO!

I loved his books as a child, didn't find them scary at all. It was always interesting to me to read something written by an adult that basically said 'hey kid, adults often are untrustworthy, fallible twats, just like you thought'.

Danny is def the best - the one realistic book. Dahl could write well without gruesome fantasy.

Actually I quite like Matilda, but the Twits are just foul.

Oh it's great - and at least you can enjoy the happy ending!

Didn't like his books as a kid, don't like 'em now. Creepy is the word!

what I like about Dahl is his faith in children and his cynicism about (many) adults.

We LOVE Dahl. My favourite as a child was The Twits and now it's DD1's favourite. The bad adults all get their comeuppance! I like how his stories give the children (and monkeys) the power to deal with nasty adults. Adults aren't all right, good or nice, it's a good thing for a child to learn I think :)

Aww I loved Matilda as a child.