The book "Matilda" was written by British author Roald Dahl. It was first published in 1988 and is one of Dahl's most popular children's novels. The story features Matilda Wormwood, a precocious child with a love for reading and learning, and includes themes of overcoming adversity and the power of intellect and kindness. Roald Dahl is renowned for his imaginative and often irreverent children's literature, with "Matilda" being adapted into films, a musical, and other media.