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Roald Dahl

Childhood and Family

Roald Dahl had an interesting life. He was born in Wales on 13th September 1916 to Norweigian parents. Unfortunately, Dahl's dad died when he was only three years old. After that, he was raised by his mother in England. When he was a child, Roald attended St. Peter's Prep School but he was not happy there. Later in life, he went on to have five children of his own. Sadly, Roald Dahl died at the age of 74, on 23rd November 1990.

His Books

Many people believe that Roald Dahl's books are brilliant. Both children and adults enjoy them. Interestingly, his first children's book was The Gremlins in 1943. Overall, he wrote 21 children's books including; Matilda, The Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Since the books were published, many have been turned into films. Roald Dahl's books were illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts you might not know about Roald Dahl. Surprisingly, he was a fighter pilot in the RAF in World War Two. Strangely, Dahl always wrote in pencil on yellow paper in a small hut at the bottom of his garden. Apparently, he based the grandmother in The Three Witches on his own mother. Sadly, his legs were too long to go to the cinema or the theatre. He also didn't like chocolate cake or ice-cream but he did like chocolate bars.

World war 2 In the 20th century there were 2 world wars. Most countries were affected by them. The World first war lasted from 1944 -1918. Though it was mostly in Europe, people called it the First World War or World War 1. The Second World War lasted from 1939-1945. In 1939 almost every man wore a hat whenever they went outside. Most school boys wore a cap .At school they learnt about the British Empire, now known as the common wealth. But in 1939 a few British children had never travelled outside Britain. If they had a holiday, most went to a seaside. In a typical family, dads worked while mum looked after the home. Most young People left school a 14, and started work. Not many people had cars. Most people traveled by bus, train, bike or walked.

Norway Over 5.1 million people lived in Norway in 2015. Oslo is the capital and one of the third biggest cities in the world. Their currency is 1 kroner = 100 ore. Also Norway is opposite Denmark, Finland and near Sweden. One of Norway’s villages has a big lake in the middle. Norway’s national symbol is a lion. Did you know Norway in Norwegian is Norge.

R.A.F RAF.H.S was established in 1986.World War 2 fighting went on for 6 years. In World War 2 the main R.A.F fighter plane was actually the Hawker Hurrahs and the Super Marine. Dahl became a fighter pilot in the RAF. Did you know the RAF was the largest air force in the whole entire world .The motto of the R.A.F is “Per Ardua Ad Astra” which was Latin for “By rough roads to the stars.”

Matilda by Roald Dahl Matilda was published in 1988. Did you know that Matilda was a children novel? Matilda is a clever girl, she read all of the books in a library. She is also brave because she has to live with her evil family. When she was aged four, she began school. She moved up to the higher classes because she can calculate large numbers. Unfortunately her head teacher, Miss Trunchbull was unfriendly because she hates children.

Quentin Blake Quentin Blake was born in Kent in 1932. Mr Blake has illustrated over 300 books in his life. He wrote about 30 books. Blake was an illustrator for Roald Dahl. In 1932, he designed the British Christmas. His projects are designed in Blake 2012 books. Blake is a trustee of the House of Illustrators.

Charlie and the chocolate factory Charlie and the chocolate factory is about five children that found a golden ticket and get to go to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Amazingly, as a boy, Dahl was a taster for a chocolate company. Amazingly the first draft of the book was titled “Charlie’s chocolate boy.” There was going to be a third book of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Did you know that the Oompa Loompas were almost named the Whipple strumpets? Interestingly it was published in September 1964 and it sold 10,000 copies in the first week. Mr Willy Wonka was originally known as Mr Ritchie. The chocolate river was actually made out of real chocolate water.