Sir Quentin Blake, the story’s original illustrator, has created a new art series depicting Matilda at age 30. Images include Matilda as an astrophysicist, world traveler, chief executive of the British Library and more. The illustrations will appear on the covers of the new anniversary edition titles by Penguin Random House, which are set to debut Oct. 4.
“I have had a lot of fun imagining what that little girl might be doing now [that] she’s all grown up,” says 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.”
Matilda was originally published on Oct. 1, 1988 and was the last major book published by Dahl. The Roald Dahl Story Co. will honor the occasion through 2019 under the theme "back to Crunchem," which celebrates the comradery of Matilda and her classmates under the care of Miss Trunchbull. The company will also unveil deals across publishing, marketing, events and licensing including a Matilda bath, book and bedtime gift set from Bloom and Blossom, which will debut this fall, and gift lines from The Book People and Sainsbury’s for Christmas.