Blake reimagines Matilda for 30th anniversary

Illustrator Quentin Blake has reimagined Roald Dahl’s Matilda as an astrophysicist, a world traveller and chief executive of the British Library for new editions of the book, which was first published 30 years ago.

PRH division Puffin will publish new editions of the books with Blake’s grown-up Matilda on the front covers.

“I have had a lot of fun imagining what that little girl might be doing now she’s all grown up,” said Blake. “Since, as a small child, Matilda was gifted in several different ways, it wasn’t very difficult. Illustrating Matilda was a wonderful experience. It has been very special to revisit her all these years later and marvel at the woman she would have become.”

Carmen McCullough, Roald Dahl editor at Puffin, added: “With her fearless spirit and amazing brain, Matilda remains every bit as relevant and inspirational to children and adults today as she did 30 years ago. Matilda has always been a force to be reckoned with and as a long-time fan and admirer, I am so thrilled to be publishing new editions of this beloved story, which wonderfully reimagine Matilda for a whole new generation of readers.”

First published on 1st October 1988, Matilda was the last major book published in Dahl’s lifetime and is one of the bestselling stories around the world, with 17 million copies in circulation according to Puffin. In the UK the book has sold 952,000 units for £5m through Nielsen BookScan.

The new editions of the book will be published on 4th October (h/b, £12.99).