What do you think?
Rate this book
Dirty Beasts
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.
"Will elicit a loud 'Yuck.' In other words, children will love them." (Children's Book Review Service)
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
103 people are currently reading
2653 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,480 books26.8k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
February 11, 2017
Rowie, to whom I read this book yesterday, would like other four-year-olds to know that it has a flying cow who poos on someone's head. You can see a picture and everything.
April 13, 2017
I am currently trying to read all of Roald Dahl's books and re-read a lot of them.
This book was about multiple different "creatures," which were real animals with twists.
"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 was a short, fast read that I was really entertained by. They were multiple short stories combined to make a book.
This book was about multiple different "creatures," which were real animals with twists.
"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 was a short, fast read that I was really entertained by. They were multiple short stories combined to make a book.
December 3, 2025
This is a series of rhymes and poems focusing on rather obscure and sometimes gross material.
The poem about the pig includes moments where the pig realizes he's being raised as a food source and .
I like the whimsy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the strength of Matilda and the calmness of My Year...this book just didn't catch any of my favorite aspects of Dahl's work.
Audiobook Comments
Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig read this one - and they made it a super fun listen.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
The poem about the pig includes moments where the pig realizes he's being raised as a food source and .
There's the poem about the crocodile who likes to eat children, going into great detail about the process.
"They want my bacon slice by slice
To sell at a tremendous price!"
Then there's the lion that...Well, you get the point.
"Go on, child, hurry! Quickly run!
No stop! Stand back! He's coming in!"
Overall, I read this one because I wanted to read every Roald Dahl book that I could get my hands on...but the poems and the content just isn't my cup of tea.
"The lion just adores to eat
A lot of red and tender meat,"
I like the whimsy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the strength of Matilda and the calmness of My Year...this book just didn't catch any of my favorite aspects of Dahl's work.
Audiobook Comments
Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig read this one - and they made it a super fun listen.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
June 2, 2021
What?!? There's a Dahl book that I'd not previously read!!
This second collection of poem's doesn't quite match the brilliance of Revolting Rhythms, though his humorously dark take on various animals is still a fun quirky read.
My favourite of these tales was the opening poem concerning an intelligent pig who knows what his owner is planning on doing to him.
Seeing the Rol-Poly Bird featuring was also a nice touch.
This second collection of poem's doesn't quite match the brilliance of Revolting Rhythms, though his humorously dark take on various animals is still a fun quirky read.
My favourite of these tales was the opening poem concerning an intelligent pig who knows what his owner is planning on doing to him.
Seeing the Rol-Poly Bird featuring was also a nice touch.
September 26, 2022
Though I was pretty much disturbed by the darkness of the allegory it contains, still very rich symbolic language which is easy to interpret in many different ways. But of course I am not going to read it to my child, at least not before 15 ))))
August 22, 2014
An emaciated anteater that will eat your favorite aunt; a carnivorous crocodile that, if given the say on how his meals should be prepared, prefers little boys lathered with mustard and little girls basted in butterscotch; a pig in the throes of an existential crisis who eats a butcher; a hedgehog that does not make for a good seat; a magical cow with wings; fevered Frenchmen who will eat any frog or snail, even if the frog or snail is magical; a rude creature with a cockney accent that lives in a hungry boy's stomach; a devilishly subversive children's author who's not afraid to pen a few nasty rhymes: these are all dirty beasts you ought to watch out for.
January 27, 2023
Alongside Revolting Rhymes this is an absolute must have book.
Full of fun, at times slightly naughty tales that kids will adore this once again proves why Roald Dahl is so beloved to children (and adults) worldwide.
Full of fun, at times slightly naughty tales that kids will adore this once again proves why Roald Dahl is so beloved to children (and adults) worldwide.
July 4, 2021
An over-the-top account of some perfectly ridiculous beasts with exaggerated qualities, and somewhat gory. But an absolutely fun casual read!
Read
May 31, 2015Много се натъжих. Дори не съм ядосана или нещо такова - по-активно като отношение. Не е честно в страната на Валери Петров, Мая Дългъчева, Виктор Самуилов... да има толкова нескопосани преводи на детски стихотворения. И то на Роалд Дал. Писна ми да "учим" децата, че римата е това, което прави стихотворението стихотворение. Ами, не е. Музиката е. Крайно време е да стане ясно, че римата без ритъм е като лупа,надвиснала точно над уликата - тя прави дефектите десетократно по-видими, тя осветлява липсата на хармония и мелодия с огромен прожектор.
Ето пример, сами преценете.
(оригинал)
In England once there lived a big
And wonderfully clever pig.
To everybody it was plain
That Piggy had a massive brain.
(превод)
Живееше в Англия прасе едно,
с удивителен ум надарено бе то.
За всички бе пределно ясно,
че мозък голям е Прасчо.
Ето пример, сами преценете.
(оригинал)
In England once there lived a big
And wonderfully clever pig.
To everybody it was plain
That Piggy had a massive brain.
(превод)
Живееше в Англия прасе едно,
с удивителен ум надарено бе то.
За всички бе пределно ясно,
че мозък голям е Прасчо.
June 16, 2021
All and all it wasn't too bad, definitely not as brilliant as his novels. I just tolerated reading some parts because of Quentin Blake's fantastic illustrations. And don't get me wrong, I'm a huge crazy Roald Dahl fan! "The Tummy Beast" and "The Toad and the Snail" were genuinely funny for example. HOWEVER, I want to hold my judgment about that last part of "The Cow" and ask you, do you read the same thing I do? Isn't it super odd and racist all of a sudden? (Welp, I guess I couldn't hold it in.)
"It really is a flying cow!"
They laughed and clapped and cheered and waved,
And all of them were well-behaved
Except for one quite horrid man
Who'd travelled from Afghanistan.
This fellow, standing in the crowd,
Raised his voice and yelled aloud,
"That silly cow! Hey, listen Daisy!"
Unfortunately Daisy heard
Quite clearly every single word.
"By gosh," she cried, "what awful cheek!
Who is this silly foreign freak?"
she dived, and using all her powers
She got to sixty miles an hour.
"Bombs gone!" she cried. "Take that!" she said,
And dropped a cowpat on his head.
"It really is a flying cow!"
They laughed and clapped and cheered and waved,
And all of them were well-behaved
Except for one quite horrid man
Who'd travelled from Afghanistan.
This fellow, standing in the crowd,
Raised his voice and yelled aloud,
"That silly cow! Hey, listen Daisy!"
Unfortunately Daisy heard
Quite clearly every single word.
"By gosh," she cried, "what awful cheek!
Who is this silly foreign freak?"
she dived, and using all her powers
She got to sixty miles an hour.
"Bombs gone!" she cried. "Take that!" she said,
And dropped a cowpat on his head.
March 16, 2015
This book contains some of Roald Dahl's best and funniest poems.
My daughter had to hide under the covers when I read about children being eaten by lions, alligators and ant-eaters. So she has only given this book 4 stars as it was scary.
My daughter had to hide under the covers when I read about children being eaten by lions, alligators and ant-eaters. So she has only given this book 4 stars as it was scary.
July 5, 2023
Well now I regret that I don't have children so I can scare the shit out of them with this book
May 19, 2019
roald dahl’s worst work!
April 7, 2010
When I was young, I used to read all of Roald Dahl's stories. Some of my personal favorites were Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits and George's Marvelous Medicine. But another one of my favorite stories from the Roald Dahl collection is Dirty Beasts.
Dirty Beasts is about all kinds of different animals that either scare the humans or eat the humans. Most of these stories are similar to Aesop's Fables, except that they are more darker than Aesop's Fables. These stories try to tell the audience that one should not mistreat animals or else the animals will do horrible things to them such as eat them.
Roald Dahl does an excellent job in being creative and exaggerating about the animals antics such as, herbivores like the Pig and the Anteater eating up humans like they are meat. Quentin Blake's illustrations greatly enhances the mood of the story as the characters are drawn wryly and sometimes eerily, such as the illustrations of the Lion looming over the waiter and the Crocodile coming into the boy and the father's room and smiling eerily and hungrily at them. With Roald Dahl's master storytelling and Quentin Blake's surreal drawings combined, they make Dirty Beasts a funny and scary book at the same time.
Overall, this book is extremely interesting to read because the action of the book is fast-paced and the mysterious antics of the animals will keep the children entertained. Dirty Beasts also provide good morals to each story, even though each moral is a bit mixed. For example, in the Anteater, the moral is to not mistreat your pets, even though at the end of the story, the anteater ends up eating Roy up, which is not really a positive message to inflict on kids since they may think that other domestic animals such as dogs and cats may eat them up if they mistreat them. This is a great book for all ages, but parents may want to check out this book before they decide to read it to their children.
From my Epinions review: http://www99.epinions.com/review/Dirt...
Dirty Beasts is about all kinds of different animals that either scare the humans or eat the humans. Most of these stories are similar to Aesop's Fables, except that they are more darker than Aesop's Fables. These stories try to tell the audience that one should not mistreat animals or else the animals will do horrible things to them such as eat them.
Roald Dahl does an excellent job in being creative and exaggerating about the animals antics such as, herbivores like the Pig and the Anteater eating up humans like they are meat. Quentin Blake's illustrations greatly enhances the mood of the story as the characters are drawn wryly and sometimes eerily, such as the illustrations of the Lion looming over the waiter and the Crocodile coming into the boy and the father's room and smiling eerily and hungrily at them. With Roald Dahl's master storytelling and Quentin Blake's surreal drawings combined, they make Dirty Beasts a funny and scary book at the same time.
Overall, this book is extremely interesting to read because the action of the book is fast-paced and the mysterious antics of the animals will keep the children entertained. Dirty Beasts also provide good morals to each story, even though each moral is a bit mixed. For example, in the Anteater, the moral is to not mistreat your pets, even though at the end of the story, the anteater ends up eating Roy up, which is not really a positive message to inflict on kids since they may think that other domestic animals such as dogs and cats may eat them up if they mistreat them. This is a great book for all ages, but parents may want to check out this book before they decide to read it to their children.
From my Epinions review: http://www99.epinions.com/review/Dirt...
July 8, 2018
i never thought i'd read two poetry books in one day
March 6, 2014
read by Pam Ferris and Geoffrey Palmer
Is this the chidren's poetic version of Torgny Lindgren? The Tummy Beast = 2 thumbs up
Is this the chidren's poetic version of Torgny Lindgren? The Tummy Beast = 2 thumbs up
March 25, 2017
A good book, but I felt it was missing that special something Dahl's books typically have. Having the pictures would have quite possibly added to it. My favourite poem was the last one.
September 25, 2020
Pretty standard addition to Dahl's children's works. Not my favourite, but it's not bad. His poetry is always fun.
January 2, 2015
To start of my reading challenge, let's begin with something delightful and fun. Story was lovely, a collection of poems (verses) involving dirty beasts, naughty and bad beasts for me. I had fun reading them, i love the story of the porcupine and the toad and the snail. Roald Dahl never fails to amaze the kid in me.
November 20, 2015
Saving it for my children!
Read
July 11, 2025مثل هر کتاب دیگری از رولد دال پر از چیزهای باحال و بانمک و همان سیاهیها و ترسناکی خاص خود رولد دال را دارد و باز هم مثل همیشه مزین به نقاشیهای کویینتین بلیک است. کتاب یک مجموعه شعر است که هر کدامشان دربارۀ یک جانور است اما داستان و قصهای که پیش میرود مثل همیشه بانمک و جادویی است اما...
اما کتاب تقریباً غیرقابل خواندن است. کتاب تبدیل به شعر شده اما شعری که فقط لغات آخر هر سر با هم هم قافیه هستند و خواندنش به زبان شعر کار حضرت فیل است. این شکل از شعر گفتن تا یک دورانی که یادم میآید (90-91) هنوز هم در کتابهای کودک بود که تقریباً غیرقابل خواندن هستند و این برای کشوری که تقریباً تو شعر غلط میزند اتفاق ناخوشاندی است. برای همین این ترجمه روی خواندن اثر هم تاثیر بد میگذارد و اگر با فضای رولد دال آشنا نباشی احتمال کتاب را کنار بگذاری این قدر که فاصله میافتد و خود خواندن چالشی میشود. کتاب یک سیدی هم دارد که به شکل صوتی کتاب را خوانده اما به من کمکی نکرد.
اما کتاب تقریباً غیرقابل خواندن است. کتاب تبدیل به شعر شده اما شعری که فقط لغات آخر هر سر با هم هم قافیه هستند و خواندنش به زبان شعر کار حضرت فیل است. این شکل از شعر گفتن تا یک دورانی که یادم میآید (90-91) هنوز هم در کتابهای کودک بود که تقریباً غیرقابل خواندن هستند و این برای کشوری که تقریباً تو شعر غلط میزند اتفاق ناخوشاندی است. برای همین این ترجمه روی خواندن اثر هم تاثیر بد میگذارد و اگر با فضای رولد دال آشنا نباشی احتمال کتاب را کنار بگذاری این قدر که فاصله میافتد و خود خواندن چالشی میشود. کتاب یک سیدی هم دارد که به شکل صوتی کتاب را خوانده اما به من کمکی نکرد.
July 20, 2022
Amo molto Roald Dahl, lo amavo da ragazzina e continuo ad amarlo ora che sono cresciuta.
Questa raccolta di componimenti poetici è perfetta per ə lettorə dai 9 anni in su che, ne sono certa, apprezzeranno la verve, l'ironia e l'intrinseca e perversa cattiveria di queste storie.
Sono brevi storie che racchiudono in piccoli scrigni tutta l'essenza della narrativa Dahliana.
Potrebbero essere un'ottima introduzione anche per lettorə che ancora non conoscono le altre storie di Dahl. Un modo per scalfire corazze di lettorə recalcitranti. Perché, diciamolo, chi saprebbe resistere al fascino di leggere la storia del maiale che, scoperte le intenzioni del fattore, decide di mangiare il suo mangiatore?
Questa raccolta di componimenti poetici è perfetta per ə lettorə dai 9 anni in su che, ne sono certa, apprezzeranno la verve, l'ironia e l'intrinseca e perversa cattiveria di queste storie.
Sono brevi storie che racchiudono in piccoli scrigni tutta l'essenza della narrativa Dahliana.
Potrebbero essere un'ottima introduzione anche per lettorə che ancora non conoscono le altre storie di Dahl. Un modo per scalfire corazze di lettorə recalcitranti. Perché, diciamolo, chi saprebbe resistere al fascino di leggere la storia del maiale che, scoperte le intenzioni del fattore, decide di mangiare il suo mangiatore?
Read
February 9, 2017Een boek wat op rijm is geschreven. Aan het begin was dit even wennen. Halverwege het boek begon ik de titel van het boek te begrijpen. Het gaat over verschillende beesten die avonturen beleven.
Dit is een boek wat je wel kan voorlezen, maar vind het taalgebruik niet altijd geschikt voor de onderbouw.
Dit is een boek wat je wel kan voorlezen, maar vind het taalgebruik niet altijd geschikt voor de onderbouw.
November 5, 2020
Runot elämän tarkoitusta pohtivasta siasta, joka söikin isäntänsä, ja hemmotellusta pojasta, joka halusi lemmikiksi karhun, mutta saikin muurahaiskarhun, olivat äkkiseltään parhaita. Kyllä annan melkein kaikille Roald Dahlin teoksille 5 tähteä. Tämän kohdalla täytyy antaa erityiskiitos suomentajalle, jolla oli varmaan ollut pähkinää purtavaksi miten suomentaa näitä loppusoinnullisia runoja.
December 1, 2021
"O leão
O que O leão mais adora
é comer a qualquer hora.
E se alguém me perguntar
O que ele quer para jantar
Não dirá - uma costela
Nem um bife de panela
Nem linguiça defumada
Nem galinha assada.
Patê de presunto, então?
A resposta aqui não!
Meu leãozinho querido,
Você prefere um cozido?
Um coelho com pimenta
Ou vitela suculenta?
O leão abre um sorriso
E dá logo se eu aviso:
" A carne que vou comer
Não é pato nem patê, é VOCÊ. ""
Para qualquer criança ter belos pesadelos à noite!
😌
O que O leão mais adora
é comer a qualquer hora.
E se alguém me perguntar
O que ele quer para jantar
Não dirá - uma costela
Nem um bife de panela
Nem linguiça defumada
Nem galinha assada.
Patê de presunto, então?
A resposta aqui não!
Meu leãozinho querido,
Você prefere um cozido?
Um coelho com pimenta
Ou vitela suculenta?
O leão abre um sorriso
E dá logo se eu aviso:
" A carne que vou comer
Não é pato nem patê, é VOCÊ. ""
Para qualquer criança ter belos pesadelos à noite!
😌
September 18, 2017
Maravilloso
July 26, 2019
This is such a silly book about different animals and how they could be dirty beasts! I highly recommend it for kids of all ages. A really fun read.
June 8, 2021
Mr Roald Dahl simply a genius! Love this🤣
April 22, 2022
A selection of animal based poems by the master of children's literature. Delightfully funny.
April 26, 2023
Roald Dahl is one of my favorites. He is very imaginative.
I listened to this and Revolting Rhymes in one audiobook while at my brothers soccer game, but I couldn’t find a version that had both together.
I listened to this and Revolting Rhymes in one audiobook while at my brothers soccer game, but I couldn’t find a version that had both together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews