Today is Roald Dahl’s birthday! Over his decades-long writing career, Dahl wrote 19 children’s books, including the kids’ classics James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was later adapted for two films, the Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970), Danny, the Champion of the World (1975), The BFG (1982) and Matilda in 1988.
Dahl’s books are certainly well-loved, though they all do have a dark side to them. Roald himself was generous and creative and wrote about kids who took control of their situations – and yet, he too had his dark side. You can learn about his light side and his dark side, and still celebrate Roald’s wonderful kids books and his big 100th birthday. A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men. – Roald Dahl