The first chapter of Matilda is quite interesting as it tells us about Matilda's parents whom are treating her like a non-existent child and not aware of her genius at a such young age. We learn that her parents are half-witted. Matilda taught herself to read by studying newspapers or magazines lying around the house. And at the age of four, she could read swiftly and good and without being told or anything, she started looking for books. She read recipe books,storybooks-any books that she could find.