Seven in ten Brits have read at least one of Dahl's children's novels
With World Book Day 2018 kicking off tomorrow, children across the land will be traipsing to school dressed as their favourite book characters.
To celebrate, YouGov Omnibus has asked Britons about the books of one of the nation’s most beloved children’s authors: Roald Dahl.
Seven in ten Brits (71%) have read at least one of Dahl’s children’s novels, with those under the age of 44 the most likely to have read one, at 83-89%.
The top three Dahl books have been read by at least half of Brits. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the most widely-read, with 57% of Brits having joined Charlie on his adventure in Willy Wonka’s mysterious manufactory. Following in second place is James and the Giant Peach, which 54% of Brits have read, and the BFG at 51%.
At the other end of the scale, only 2% of Brits have read The Minpins or The Vicar of Nibbleswicke, both of which were published in 1991 after the author’s death. Other relatively rarely read titles include The Magic Finger (read by 11%), The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (also 11%) and Esio Trot (15%).
The survey also asked Brits which of Dahl’s books was their favourite. The runaway winner, on 24%, was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with almost twice as many votes as second-placed BFG on 13%.
Despite being the second most widely read, only 8% picked James and the Giant Peach as their favourite of Dahl’s books, placing it fifth in the rankings. The honour of third place went to Matilda, which scooped up 10% of the vote.
Photo: Paramount
