2016 marks 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl– the world’s number one storyteller!

Roald Dahl (Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales, 13 September 1916 – Oxford, England, 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot.

Roald Dahl was incredibly creative and came up with more than 500 new words and character names. Many of the characters and stories were inspired by the people and places around him.

His work has been adapted to musicals, films, theatre plays, screenplays, operas.

Dahl's children's works are usually told from the point of view of a child. They typically involve adult villains who hate and mistreat children, and feature at least one "good" adult to counteract the villain(s).

Dahl's works for children include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox,The BFG, The Twits and George's Marvellous Medicine. His adult works include Tales of the Unexpected

His first children's book was The Gremlins, published in 1943, about mischievous little creatures that were part of Royal Air Force folklore; the book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made.

Did you know…In Boy he tells us that it was whilst at Repton school that the idea for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was sown. This is because he and his classmates were the very willing guinea pigs of the famous chocolate-making company, Cadburys.

In 2016 appears a new logo which features the author’s name alongside a yellow paper plane, which represents Dahl’s love of flying, as well as the yellow (Dahl’s favourite colour) note paper he used to write on.Crooked letterforms create a warm and friendly feel and letters can appear in a range of colours inspired by Dahl’s books (colours include Enormous Crocodile Green, Willy Wonka Purple and Mr Twit Blue).

One hundred years after his birth, it’s hard to imagine childhood without his fantastic fictions: on the page and the screen, characters like Willy Wonka, Matilda and the BFG have come to represent the magic of youth.

...thats why we thank him...

Thank you for making us love reading and chocolate.

Thank you for introducing us to stories full of brave and determined boys and girls.

Thank you for your good humour and naughtiness.

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Happy birthday