Matilda: A Kid-Friendly Book Summary
By Lily | Published 1 August 2022 | Goodreads Rating 4.33 | This post may contain affiliate links.
For parents looking to inspire a love of reading in their children, few children's book are as captivating as Roald Dahl's Matilda. Published in 1988, this book tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a little girl with a love of books who lives with her neglectful parents and cruel older brother.
Despite her difficult home life, Matilda is a gifted girl with remarkable intellectual abilities and extraordinary powers. Roald Dahl crafted a captivating tale around the charming, exceptionally bright Matilda that proves brains can defeat brawn. They learn that even though they may be small, with courage and cleverness they too can overcome adversity. Read on for a book summary of Matilda.
“Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”
The story of Matilda Wormwood
Matilda Wormwood is a gifted girl with exceptional intellectual abilities. Despite being mistreated by her family, Matilda's love for reading and learning leads her to discover her extraordinary powers. At a young age, Matilda must rely on the local library to quench her thirst for reading books like Charles Dickens and Great Expectations.
Matilda's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, are uninterested in their daughter's love of books and prefer to spend their time watching television. Mr Wormwood, Matilda's father, is a dishonest used-car salesman who sells faulty cars to unsuspecting customers. They do not appreciate Matilda's intelligence and often ridicule her love for reading.
Matilda's journey begins when she starts attending Crunchem Hall primary school, where she encounters the headmistress, Miss Agatha Trunchbull. Miss Trunchbull is a cruel and sadistic woman who enjoys punishing students for even the slightest infraction. She is particularly fond of using her physical strength to terrorize children, such as when she forces Bruce Bogtrotter to eat an entire giant chocolate cake for stealing a piece of chocolate cake.
RELATED: Download free printables to build reading comprehension of Matilda
Matilda’s Telekinetic Powers
Matilda's extraordinary abilities are revealed when she discovers she has the power of telekinesis. She first discovers her power when she is able to make a glass of water tip over using only her mind. Matilda's telekinetic abilities continue to grow as she practices and learns to control them.
Matilda's powers become particularly useful when she uses them to help her friend Lavender retrieve Miss Trunchbull's water jug from a high shelf. Her remarkable power also comes in handy when she exacts revenge on Miss Trunchbull by making a piece of chalk write a message on the blackboard, seemingly from beyond the grave from Miss Honey's late father.
Matilda also liked to play pranks. One practical joke she did was glue her father's hat to his head to teach him a lesson. She also swapped her father's hair tonic with her mother's platinum hair dye, which turned his hair green.
Memorable Characters
This book Matilda is filled with memorable characters, from the terrible parents who mistreat her, to the kind Miss Honey who recognizes her talents. The book is also illustrated by Quentin Blake, whose whimsical illustrations bring the characters to life.
One of the most memorable characters in the book is Miss Trunchbull. She is a terrifying figure who delights in punishing children and uses her physical strength to intimidate them. Her cruelty towards the students is only matched by her devotion to her own physical fitness and her hatred of anything that she deems to be "childish." Despite her villainous nature, Miss Trunchbull is a fascinating character who adds a sense of danger and excitement to the story.
The Spirit of Miss Honey
Miss Honey is Matilda's teacher who recognizes Matilda's exceptional intelligence and encourages her to develop her talents. She is a gentle and sweet teacher who is loved by her students. She lives in a small cottage with thin closets and very little else. Despite this, she is happy and content with her simple life.
Miss Honey recognizes Matilda’s exceptional abilities early on and shares her own story of growing up poor and being mistreated by her terrible aunt, Miss Trunchbull.
The themes in Matilda
Matilda's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment. She learns to believe in herself and her abilities, and she also learns to stand up to bullies like Miss Trunchbull. Matilda also discovers the power of hard work and determination, and she uses these qualities to overcome obstacles in her path.
Along the way, Matilda also develops a close bond with Miss Honey, who becomes a mentor and role model for her. Matilda also befriends a group of students who are kind to her, despite the fact that they are often bullied by Miss Trunchbull.
In the end, Matilda's powers are instrumental in bringing about a happy ending for herself and her friends. Matilda also helps Miss Honey reclaim her rightful inheritance from Miss Trunchbull.
Conclusion
Parents who want to introduce their children to the world of Roald Dahl and his clever children's stories should start with Matilda. Its memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and charming illustrations by Quentin Blake will delight readers of all ages and keep them engaged from beginning to end.
RELATED: To continue the reading fun, visit Matilda-themed activities! Includes free print artwork!
Fun Facts about the Book and Author
Roald Dahl was a British author known for his memorable characters, imaginative plots, and dark humor. Some of his most popular works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, James, and the Giant Peach, and Matilda. His books have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.
Matilda was first published in 1988 and has sold over 17 million copies in its English-language editions. Roald Dahl was inspired to write Matilda after reading his own daughter’s stories. He was so impressed with her writing that he put some of her ideas into the novel.
Some of My Favorite Reviews of this Book
“Matilda is a timeless classic full of laughter, wit, and heart. Roald Dahl’s writing is full of whimsical charm and enduring themes. Highly recommended.” - The New York Times
“Matilda is a wonderful story full of adventure and magic. It will inspire both young and old readers to stand up for themselves and never give up.” - The Guardian