Roald Dahl day: Go ahead, eat a chocolate and celebrate

"You can write about anything for children as long as you've got humour." – Roald Dahl 

Roald Dahl would have turned 98 today. The beloved author was known for his children's books with their playful language, dark humour and memorable characters. Born on September 13, 1916 in Villa Marie, Cardiff, Roald was named after the polar explorer Roald Amundsen. Amundsen was a national hero in Norway (Roald’s parents were from there).  

The writer died at the age of 74, having published 17 children’s novels and 20 books for children in his lifetime. In total, he published 48 books not including published screenplays and plays. Some of his most popular stories are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and Fantastic Mr Fox. Many of his books have been adapted to the big screen and even on stage. He also wrote the script for the 1971 film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Also Read: The magic of Roald Dahl

He has penned the script to the 1967's Bond film You Only Live Twice starring Sean Connery – he worked alongside Ian Fleming in the Royal Air Force during WWII. He has written scripts for television, a play and for radio. His stories for adults were mostly macabre short stories, always with a surprise ending. He has even written for Playboy magazine. In 1984, he published Boy, an autobiographical book.

A couple of weeks earlier, a previously unpublished chapter of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which completes 50 years this year) was published in The Guardian. The Vanilla Fudge Room is from an early draft of Roald Dahl's most famous novel and has illustrations by Sir Quentin Blake. Sir Blake illustrated several of the original covers for Dahl’s books. Penguin India recently released their own cover art for new editions of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The cover resembles a partially unwrapped bar of chocolate. 

The world over, Road Dahl's birthday is being celebrated in unique ways. In Dublin, about 50 bakers will be displaying cakes inspired by some of Roald Dahl's best-loved characters. Roald Dahl lived in Great Missenden for 30 years and the town is celebrating the author's birthday with a host of activities. The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is hosting activities like talks at a replica of Dahl’s writing hut, tours of the museum’s archives, storytelling sessions as well as a chocolate making event. The Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity has recruited 50 people to dress up as Oompa-Loompas and skydive. 

Closer home, Crossword Bookstores will celebrate the birthday on Sunday, September 14. There will be a story telling session, games and activities, and a chance to win a golden ticket.

Details: 11:30 am at Crossword- Inorbit Mall- Malad, Turner Road, Inorbit, Vashi; 5: 30 pm at R City, Ghatkopar. 

Puffin India and amazon.in have come up with  a ‘Whipple-scrumptious Roald Dahl Inspired London Holiday Contest’ which gives five children and their parents a chance to go London. The all-expenses paid trip will include a chance to watch the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical in London’s West End, a visit to the The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden and a trip around the London offices of Roald Dahl’s UK publisher Puffin. For more details visit amazon.in/contest. 

It's Roald Dahl's birthday. Go ahead, eat a chocolate and celebrate.