The World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (1916 – 1990) is probably one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Even if you have never heard his name, or struggle to pronounce it, you are most likely familiar with his fabulous fictional world, and characters like the eccentric chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka, the 24-foot tall, kind-hearted Big Friendly Giant, precocious young Matilda who teases adults with her super powers, or fantastic Mr Fox.

Following the twists and turns of Roald Dahl’s stories is as exciting as a roller coaster ride at a fun fair – and with just as many ups and downs! His story world is charming and wildly imaginative, and his fantastical plots create a world full of possibilities – combining the strange atmosphere of Norwegian folk tales with the eccentricity of British humour, in a reflection of his mixed heritage. Roald Dahl's formula for children’s stories also has little in common with the fairy tales full of happy endings we have become used to seeing on screen. For him, there is no pretending that a child’s world is perfect. He describes the world of adults with all of its chaos and dark emotions – anger, jealousy, suspicion, hatred – using this to inspire critical thinking in his young readers and to help them understand the complexity of human nature. At the same time, he never forgets to plant seeds of hope, faith and love in his readers’ hearts before each story comes to an end.

Dahl had unhappy experiences of the school. Before he became a writer, he served as fighter pilot in World War II. These experiences may have given his work its dark, twisted edge, but it did not dampen his gentle nature, or his curiosity and faith in the world. His magical words have now become a magical key to open children’s hearts and minds.

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” 
– The Minpins 

“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog.” 
– Matilda

 “The matter with human beans is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles.” 
– The BFG

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.”
 – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

 “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
– The Twits