Dirty Beasts

Sections: Information | Description | ReviewsFun Stuff | Teacher Ideas | Covers | Bulgarian, Dutch, Norwegian and Welsh Covers


Information

Information on identifying editions is from Richard Walker’s “Roald Dahl – A Guide to Collecting His First Editions”.

  • First editions:
    • Jonathan Cape, 1983, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Rosemary Fawcett
      • To identify: Used standard single statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and published without a dust jacket and no pricing
    • Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1983, USA.
      • Illustrated by: Rosemary Fawcett
      • To identify: Used a First Edition statement and a jacket priced at $11.95
  • Later editions:
    • Jonathan Cape, 1984, UK.
      • Illustrated by: Quentin Blake
      • To identify: Lists both prior printings of Fawcett illustrations and then the statement ‘This edition with new illustrations published 1984’
  • Buy this book:

Important note: From 2022 onwards, Puffin has edited selected Dahl books to remove sensitive language and insert new sentences not written by Dahl. If you would prefer to read the original text, ensure you get a copy published before 2022 or one of the “Classic Collection” published by Penguin.


Description

Roald Dahl’s inimitable style and humor shine in this collection of poems about mischievous and mysterious animals. From Stingaling the scorpion to Crocky-Wock the crocodile, Dahl’s animals are nothing short of ridiculous. A clever pig with an unmentionable plan to save his own bacon and an anteater with an unusually large appetite are among the characters created by Dahl in these timeless rhymes. This new, larger edition is perfect for reading aloud and makes Quentin Blake’s celebrated illustrations even more enjoyable.


Reviews

  • “Picture books to treasure” by Laurie Copping from the March 16, 1985 issue of The Canberra Times – Canberra, Australia (read online)

Fun Stuff

Merchandise


Teacher Ideas


Covers


Bulgarian Covers – Страшни зверове


Dutch Covers – Rotbeesten


Norwegian Covers – Fæle Dyr


Welsh Covers – Penillion Ach-A-Fi