Roald Dahl ​

Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot. He is widely known for his children's books including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "James and the Giant Peach", and "Matilda", among others which have become worldwide bestsellers. He is renowned for his imaginative, humorous and dark narrative style.

Quick Facts ​

• Sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
• Work has been translated into over 50 languages.
• Wrote both children's and adult stories.
• The British television children's show Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes won the 2018 International Emmy Kids Award for Animation.
• Many of his children's books have been adapted into successful films, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda.

Background ​

Dahl was born in 1916 to Norwegian parents in Llandaff, Wales. His father and elder sister died when he was just three, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings. Dahl attended boarding school in England, where he began to develop his love for storytelling. During World War II, he served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot.

After the war, he worked in Washington D.C. as an assistant air attaché, where he started his writing career. His first published work was a short story in the Saturday Evening Post. Dahl gained fame with children's books like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach", but also wrote well-received adult short story collections. Throughout his career, Dahl's imaginative and whimsical storytelling earned him a prominent spot among the world's favorite children's authors.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Dahl's writing is characterized by imaginative plots, dark humor, and unexpected endings. His work appeals to both children and adults, with elements of fantasy, adventure, and satire. He is known for creating memorable and eccentric characters, and his stories often contain subtle moral lessons. His work has had an enduring impact on children's literature, and he is credited with popularizing the genre of macabre and humorous stories.

Notable Works ​

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)
• James and the Giant Peach (1961)
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970)
• Matilda (1988)
• The BFG (1982)
• The Witches (1983)
• Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984)
• The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (1985)