Roald Dahl's The BFG enchants readers with its imaginative storyline and whimsical language. Critics praise its engaging characters and creative world-building, though some note that the plot may be too simplistic for older readers. Overall, it's a delightful read for children, blending humor and heartwarming moments.

The ideal reader for Roald Dahl’s The BFG is a child aged 8-12 who revels in whimsical, fantastical stories and imaginative adventures. This reader likely enjoys books like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which also blend magic with heartwarming narratives.

In The BFG, eight-year-old Sophie is taken from her orphanage by a giant who turns out to be the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). Living in Giant Country, Sophie learns that the BFG catches and distributes dreams while avoiding nine man-eating giants. Together, they devise a plan to use the Queen of England's help to capture these dangerous giants and keep the world safe. The book depicts violent scenarios and includes outdated and derogatory language.

Fantastical / Playful / Heartwarming / Exciting / Humorous

- The BFG originated from a bedtime story Roald Dahl told his children, which eventually developed into a beloved book published in 1982.
- In 2016, The BFG was adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg, marking his first adaptation of a Roald Dahl book.
- Roald Dahl dedicated The BFG to his daughter Olivia, who passed away at a young age from measles encephalitis.

**Sophie**  
An imaginative and brave eight-year-old girl living in an English orphanage, whose encounter with a giant sets her on an adventure that changes her life.

**The Big Friendly Giant (The BFG)**  
A 24-foot gentle giant from Giant Country, who captures dreams and shares them with sleeping children, and becomes a loyal friend to Sophie.

**The Nine Man-Eating Giants**  
A group of larger, fearsome giants residing in Giant Country known for their nightly expeditions to consume humans.

**The Queen**  
The poised and capable monarch of England who becomes involved in Sophie's and the BFG's adventures.

**Mrs. Clonkers**  
The cruel head of the orphanage where Sophie lives, known for her harsh treatment of the children.

Roald Dahl

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

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Before You Read The BFG | SuperSummary

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Overview

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The BFG Summary

Background

The BFG Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-8

The BFG Chapters 1-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-16

The BFG Chapters 9-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-24

The BFG Chapters 17-24 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The BFG Character Analysis

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Themes

The BFG Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The BFG Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The BFG Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The BFG Essay Topics

Introduction

The BFG Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

The BFG Before Reading

During Reading

The BFG During Reading

After Reading

The BFG After Reading

The BFG

Before You Read

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Review Roundup

Who Should Read The BFG?

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