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From School Library Journal

July 29, 2022

PreS-Gr 3-Blake's classic illustrations of Roald Dahl's Matilda are paired with simple statements about "what love is." While some pages offer generic platitudes and simple images (for example, the text "Love welcomes us home" under a picture of Miss Honey's cottage), those who haven't yet read the book will lack much of the context needed to understand some of the illustrations, such as the picture of Mr. Wormwood unwittingly massaging peroxide into his hair ("Sometimes love is teaching people right from wrong"). The final message-"Love is what I feel for you," with a picture of Miss Honey holding Matilda-indicates that this is a book best read by a close caregiver to a young reader, but because there is no story, per se, and the book leans heavily on familiarity with the original novel, the usual picture book audience may not connect with this material. VERDICT This book fails to introduce the character to young readers in a meaningful way, nor does it have anything new to say about love. A novelty purchase at best.-Jenny Arch

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From School Library Journal

Starred review from November 1, 2013

Gr 3-6-Matilda is the star of Dahl's delightfully far-fetched tale of a girl remarkably precocious and strong. She has no idea how advanced and insightful she is since she has had to cope as best she could on her own. Finally allowed to attend school, Matilda faces evil head teacher, The Trunchbull. She finds solace in sweet, surprisingly brave Lavender and perfect Miss Honey. In the end, Matilda and her magical strength win the day and change everything. Sprightly music introduces some segments. Kate Winslet's narration makes listeners feel as though they are at Crunchem Hall along with the delightfully British students. Her pacing is perfect, and she flawlessly captures Matilda's strength and sweetness and gives a unique voice to each student. Standouts include her voicing of Brucie and Hortensia. American children may need some help understanding occasional British terms and turns of phrase. Hopefully the pinkish box won't scare off the boys, as this is gem to be enjoyed by all.-Jane Newschwander, Fluvanna County Public Schools, VA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

October 1, 1988
Matilda is an extraordinarily gifted four-year-old whose parentsa crass, dishonest used-car dealer and a self-centered, blowsy bingo addictregard her as ``nothing more than a scab.'' Life with her beastly parents is bearable only because Matilda teaches herself to read, finds the public library, and discovers literature. Also, Matilda loves using her lively intelligence to perpetrate daring acts of revenge on her father. This pastime she further develops when she enrolls in Crunchem Hall Primary School, whose headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is ``a fierce tyrannical monster . . . .'' Adults may cringe at Dahl's excesses in describing the cruel Miss Trunchbull, as well as his reliance on overextended characterization at the expense of plot development. Children, however, with their keenly developed sense of justice, will relish the absolutes of stupidity, greed, evil and might versus intelligence, courage and goodness. They also will sail happily through the contrived, implausible ending. Dahl's phenomenal popularity among children speaks for his breathless storytelling charms; his fans won't be disappointed by Matilda. Blake's droll pen-and-ink sketches extend the exaggerated humor. Ages 9-11.

From School Library Journal

October 1, 1988
Gr 4-6 -Dahl's latest piece of madcap mayhem is a story filled with the elements that his fans cravesardonic humor, the evilest of villians, the most virtuous of heroines, and children who eventually defeat those big bad grown-ups. In this book, Matilda isn't just smart, she is "extra-ordinary. . .sensitive and brilliant," reading Great Expectations as a four year old. Unfortunately, her TV-addict parents neither recognize nor appreciate their daughter's genius. Neglected Matilda finds mentors in librarian Mrs. Phelps and teacher Miss Honey, a woman as sweet as her name implies. Miss Honey, Matilda, and other students are tormented by the child-hating headmistress Trunchbull. Trunchbull has also cheated orphaned niece Miss Honey out of her rightful inheritance, leaving the teacher in extreme poverty. Having practiced revenge techniques on her father, Matilda now applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of Trunchbull and restore Miss Honey's financial security. If the conclusion is a bit too rapid, the transitions between Matilda's home and school life a bit choppy, and the writing style not as even as in some of Dahl's earlier titles, young readers won't mind. Dahl has written another fun and funny book with a child's perspective on an adult world. As usual, Blake's comical sketches are the perfect complement to the satirical humor. This may not be a teacher's or principal's first choice as a classroom read-aloud, but children will be waiting in line to read it. Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Lib ., Wis.

From AudioFile Magazine

Who better than Kate Winslet to narrate Dahl's beloved children's classic in its 25th-anniversary year? Winslet draws on her impressive screen experience to bring precocious Matilda and her crusade against insensitive and manipulating adults to new ears. Meet, or re-meet, Matilda's obtuse family and battle-ax headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Rejoice as Matilda, with the guidance of her understanding teacher, Miss Honey, rises above her situation and provides a model of spunk and determination. In the narrator role, Winslet is straightforward, precise, and calm. She saves her panache for her characterizations. While Winslet's Matilda is modestly soft-spoken, she scales her vocal register as the ranting Wormwood parents, booms as Miss Trunchbull, and breathily voices the adored Miss Honey. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine