The Minpins

Information

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

First editions:
- Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1991, UK.
  - Illustrated by: Patrick Benson
  - To identify: Used a ‘Special Presentation Proof’ sticker on the first interior page stating a limited edition of 500 unsigned copies and published with a jacket priced at £8.99. (See note on Richard’s site.)
- Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1991, UK.
  - Illustrated by: Patrick Benson
  - To identify: Used a standard statement (‘First published’ followed by the date with later printings stated underneath) and published with a dust jacket priced at £8.99.
- Viking, 1991, USA.
  - Illustrated by: Patrick Benson
  - To identify: Used a number line and published with a dust jacket priced at $16.95.
Also known as: Billy and the Minpins (new 2017 edition featuring illustrations by Quentin Blake)
Recent news:
- Roald Dahl Stories – with Andy Copps and John Kirk - July 5, 2020
- Quentin Blake: ‘A new Roald Dahl character to draw, nearly 40 years after my first’ - September 12, 2017
- Roald Dahl’s Billy and the Minpins coming this autumn - April 13, 2017
- More news…

Theater:
- The Minpins (orchestra + narration), 1996, Camerata St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia
Audio Books:
- Esio Trot & The Minpins read by Joanna Lumley
- The Magic Finger & The Minpins read by Kate Winslet and Bill Bailey
- The Minpins read by Richard Pasco
- The Minpins read by Bill Bailey
- The Twits, The Minpins & The Magic Finger read by Richard Ayoade, Bill Bailey, and Kate Winslet

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

Little Billy strays into the forest, where he meets the Minpins–tiny people who live within the trees. The Minpins tell Billy about The Gruncher, who preys on them. So Billy embarks on a mission to rid the Minpins of their foe once and for all, and sets off–on the back of a swan–to confront The Gruncher.

Reviews

“Reading is a little like dreaming…” by Denis Woychuk (The New York Times)

Awards

Winner, 1991 Redbook Children’s Picture Book Award
An American Bookseller “Pick of the Lists”

Criticism and Analysis

Roald Dahl: The Master Of Darkness And Light
- Written by J. L. Gargett
- Description: “…The second essay addresses Dahl’s use of fear and humour in The Minpins.…”

Teacher Ideas

Billy and the Minpins – Lesson Plans
- Get your class to think of ways to help Billy escape the Gruncher with the YPO lesson plans which include Art and Literacy Objectives on spoken language, imagining worlds and celebrating achievements.