Parents' Guide to

The BFG

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Girl befriends goodhearted giant in funny fantasy.

Book Roald Dahl Fantasy 2006
The BFG Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 7+

Based on 9 parent reviews

R McD
R McD Parent of 8-year-old
November 5, 2021
age 10+

Can be read two ways...

Yes it can be funny, and tricky to read the funny words. It's great to stop and read the funny words with the kids to work out what the BFG really means. That said, if you think a big hand reaching through a window to steal a child from her bed might be a little disturbing, then perhaps shelf this book til your kids are ok with it, if ever. My Yr 3 had to read it for school and has had a few night frights from it. Dont get me started on The Witches. Giants steal people every night from all around the globe and eat them, and there is a constant threat to the girl being smelled out and eat by the other giants. Bit of context.... We know families that are ok with their kids watching/reading Harry Potter, that is not us. We have a younger sibling in year 1 so books and movies are suitable for her. That probably explains our Yr3's response, they just haven't been exposed to these sorts of themes before, and clearly not ready for them either. I know other kids of similar age will not bat an eyelid at some of the themes, just know where your kids limits are before reading this book.
1 person found this helpful.
Lebron45James6
Lebron45James6 Adult
September 26, 2022
age 12+

Pee Pee is used 346 times

See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Roald Dahl's THE BFG begins late at night when a little orphan girl named Sophie is the only one awake. She goes to the window and sees a giant walking down the street, carrying a suitcase and peering into people's windows. When the giant sees her, he grabs her and takes her back to his cave in Giant Country. Sophie is afraid that she'll be eaten, but her new friend, the Big Friendly Giant, explains in his own sideways version of English that though the other giants in this land are twice his size and eat children all over the world, he eats nothing but disgusting snozzcumbers -- a mythical vegetable.

Sophie also learns all about the ways the BFG captures dreams in Dream Country and secretly blows dreams into people's sleeping heads. One day, Sophie finds out that the other giants are planning to gallop to England, where they'll eat up lots of children. That's when Sophie and the BFG hatch a plan to mobilize Her Majesty the Queen's soldiers to stop the kid-eating giants once and for all.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (28 ):

This funny fantasy about a girl and a friendly giant has loads of appeal for young readers, from action to wordplay to gross-out humor. Each of the late Roald Dahl's books has a special quality that sets it apart, and in this case, it's silly, smart, hilarious playing with language. The BFG has never been to school, and "sometimes is saying things a little squiggly." Kids who got a laugh out of Willy Wonka's reference to "snozzberries" in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will find even more to giggle about here. All of the babblement makes The BFG a delightful book to read out loud. The story also has plenty of suspense (for youngsters) even as it just keeps getting funnier, all the way to the rewarding finish.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the funny things the giant says in The BFG. Do any of them seem familiar? Do you like the way he talks?

  • What do Sophie and the BFG have in common that helps them become good friends?

  • Have you read other books by Roald Dahl? What does The BFG have in common with the other Dahl books that you like?

Book Details

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