Book Club Guide for The BFG
The BFG
By Roald Dahl
For Ages 7-12
Genre: Fantasy
A bone-crushing giant doesn’t carry off Sophie, but a jumbly giant who soon becomes her friend. Will this unlikely duo be able to stop the ginormous, mean giants from attacking the children of England? The BFG by Roald Dahl explores themes of friendship and dreams, with buckets of whoppsy-whiffling words too. Use these discussion questions, activities, snacks, and read-alikes during your next book club for a gobblefunk good time.
Discussion Questions for The BFG
Get participants engaging with these discussion questions. Need more? See The Youth Desk’s Book Clubs page for general fiction and nonfiction questions.
- What did you think about the BFG’s scrumdiddlyumptious language? Did you have any trouble understanding what was happening as you read?
- Have you ever been awake during the “witching hour?” What do you imagine it would be like?
- Can you imagine being taken from your bed by a giant in the night? What would your worst nightmare be?
- What is the best dream you have ever had?
- Do you remember any of the dreams caught by the BFG?
- Did anyone press their belly button to see if they would become invisible?
- What kind of dream would you like the BFG to give you?
- Why did the BFG only eat snozzcucumbers? Is there anything that you and your family don’t eat?
- The BFG points out that giants might eat humans, but they don’t kill each other like humans do. Do you think humans are better than giants?
- Do you think the giants got the punishment they deserved? Why or why not?
Snacks for The BFG
Frobscottle Floats
Cream soda, frobscottle juice (green food coloring or green fruit punch), a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a dollop of raspberry (or strawberry) syrup. Demonstrate how to assemble one using the measurements of your choice, then let the attendees make their own.
Frobscottle is the drink of choice for giants. Sophie asks the BFG for water, and he tells her giants only drink Frobscottle (p. 64). It is described as a pale green liquid with bubbles traveling to the bottom of the glass and frothy fizz forming at the bottom. It’s also “sweet and refreshing. It tastes of vanilla and cream, with just the faintest trace of raspberries on the edge of the flavour.”
For more Dahl-inspired treats, check out the books Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes or Roald Dahl’s Even More Revolting Recipes.
Extension Activities for The BFG
Dream Jars Craft
Design your own dream jars using glass or plastic jars (any size), Mod Podge, sequins, and glitter. Paint the outside or inside of the jars with Mod Podge, and then dip or sprinkle on the embellishments to your heart’s content. Twelve packs of half-pint Ball Jars are available through Amazon and often on sale at Walmart. Craft stores, such as Michaels, may also offer alternative sizes and pricing.
Ask the attendees what dreams they would hold in their jars! Encourage them to write down their dreams and keep them safe in a jar until they come true.
How Does the Movie Compare?
Show the first 15 minutes (or more!) of the live-action movie and find out what the attendees think. Is that how they pictured the BFG? What was different or similar about him? What about Sophie?
More Resources
Roald Dahl.com
For fun facts about the author and lesson plans for The BFG and other Roald Dahl classics.
Read Brightly’s Book Club for Kids: The BFG
An excellent collection of discussion questions, crafts, and engaging games.
The BFG Read-Alikes
If your readers loved The BFG, they’ll also enjoy:
