“However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance was there.”
From the pages of Roald Dahl’s original masterpiece to the imaginative (and sometimes whimsically hellish) adaptations by Mel Stuart and Tim Burton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has captivated audiences for decades. And Timothée Chalamet’s delightful prequel just adds another layer to the enchantment. Dahl’s 1964 novel, filled with wacky contraptions, enchanting worlds, and timeless lessons on greed, goodness, and family, continues to be a favourite for readers of all ages. If you loved Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp or Chalamet’s depictions and you’re craving more Wonka, check out these great books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory here at What We Reading!
Charlie And The Great Glass Elevator – Roald Dahl
Where better to kickstart a list of the best books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory than with its sequel? We’re willing to bet a fair few of you didn’t even realise Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had a sequel. But, Roald Dahl’s 1972 Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is just that.
The Great Glass Elevator kicks off immediately after the chocolate factory tour. Both movie adaptions featured the great glass elevator, but Dahl’s 1972 work is really where it gets its opportunity to showcase all of its hilarious and imaginative escapades. Following Wonka, Charlie and Charlie’s family on a journey inside the elevator that can go in any and all directions, encountering Soviet space capsules, the President of the United States and giant shape-shifting worms known as Vermicious Knids.
The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another classic piece of children’s literature that has inspired countless fantasy writers in the years following its release, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden is the story of a young girl and a neglected garden.
Mary Lennox is an unruly orphan who moves in with her reclusive uncle in Misselthwaite Manor on England’s Yorkshire moors. There, she meets a wide array of characters inside this grand estate that hides plenty of sadness and secrets. One day, a cheerful robin leads her to a door, leading to a garden that has been abandoned for years. Deciding to restore the garden in secret, Hodgson Burnett’s classic tale becomes one of health and heart, with the rejuvenation of the garden helping Mary unlock her spirit and her happiness.
Furthermore (Furthermore #1) – Tahereh Mafi
For a Middle Grade book that combines the themes of family with a whimsical and magic-filled world like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tahereh Mafi’s Goodreads Choice Award-nominated Furthermore is a must-read.
It’s been three years since Alice Alexis Queensmeadow’s father disappeared from Ferenwood with only a ruler. To unearth what happened to him, she will have to venture into this dangerous and mythical land where down can be up, the paper is alive and colour is currency. Her only companion is Oliver, whose own magic is rooted in lies and deception. With magic, fantasy and the seemingly impossible on every page, Mafi’s book is not to be missed by anyone looking for their next whimsical read!
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
If absurd fantasy ever had a birth, it was with Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. From the quick-witted Alice spotting a white rabbit with a pocket watch, the ‘Drink Me/Eat Me’ scenes to all the weird, wacky and wonderful characters she meets across her adventures in Wonderland, Carroll’s work is a must-read for any fantasy fan.
Having never been out of print since its publication over 150 years ago, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland captures the power of imagination in its world without rules. It’s a book that every generation is familiar with, making it the perfect book like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for any reader looking to reignite their imaginations.
The 13-Story Treehouse: Monkey Mayhem! (Treehouse #1) – Andy Griffiths
Andy Griffiths and illustrator Terry Denton are two of the most popular names in children’s literature. And their Treehouse series is a great place to start if you’re looking for a read that introduces their weird and wacky style, whilst also tapping into the imaginative settings found in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The book follows two friends – Terry and Andy – who live in a treehouse making books together. Only this treehouse is not just any regular shed in a tree. 13 storeys tall, this treehouse is home to see-through swimming pools, bowling lanes, a secret underground lab, a vegetable vaporiser, self-making beds and marshmallow machines that automatically shoot your favourite flavours into your mouth whenever you’re hungry. With a setting like this, hilarious escapades and adventures are a certainty.
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (Mr. Lemoncello’s Library #1) – Chris Grabenstein
Another Goodreads-nominated Middle Grade and Children’s Book, author Chris Grabenstein kickstarts his Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series with Escape from Mr. Limoncello’s Library.
Luigi Lemoncello is the most famous games designer in the world and the genius behind the library in Kyle Keeley’s home town. Kyle is an avid video gamer and a huge fan of Lemoncello’s works. So when he wins a competition to spend a fun and food-filled night inside the library, it looks set to be a dream come true. That is until morning comes and the doors remain locked. Along with his fellow competition winners, Kyle must find every clue and solve every puzzle to locate Lemoncello’s secret exit. From the enigmatic and Wonka-esque Luigi Lemoncello to the rib-tickling humour, Grabenstein’s series is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
