------------Amazon.com-------------<BR> Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.<p> She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable--the big surprise comes when Matilda discovers a new, mysterious facet of her mental dexterity. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings. <I>(Ages 9 to 12)</I><BR> <BR> ------------Book Description-------------<BR> For hundreds of kids, The Trunchbull is pure terror. For Matilda, she's a sitting duck. Roald Dahl is one of the most beloved storytellers of all time, and his books have been children's favorites for generations. Puffin is proud to offer a strong new look for nine of our classic Roald Dahl titles. The distinctive cover treatment, with new art by Quentin Blake, will make these books easily recognizable. In addition, Quentin Blake's funny, quirky illustrations now appear in all of the books. So turn the page and you'll be sure to have a Dahl-ectable summer! <BR> <BR>

런던에서 태어났다. 1949년부터 「펀치」 지의 만화가로 활동하면서 첼사 미술 대학에서 미술을 공부해 일러스트레이터로 활동하면서 200권이 넘는 책을 만들었다. 1980년에는 그림책 『마놀리아 씨』로 케이트 그린어웨이 상을 받았고, 1996년에는『어릿광대』가 볼로냐 아동 도서전에서 올해의 어린이 책으로 선정되기도 했으며, 2002년 안데르센 상을 받았다.