POLL: Which is your favourite Roald Dahl book?

Wednesday 13 September 2023

On the anniversary of his birthday, we're asking - which is your favourite Roald Dahl book?

Were you beguiled by The Witches, tormented by The Twits or enchanted by James and the Giant Peach?

Whether the serial tales of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka were your favourite or you preferred the shorter stories of The Magic Finger or Fantastic Mr Fox we'd like to know!

We've also asked the local experts in reading - the staff at Guille Alles Library - what their favourite Dahl books are.

Adam Chilvers – Library Assistant

In 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' a regular boy steps into the fantastical world of Willy Wonka's factory, where surreal wonders await. While others succumb to their flaws, Charlie's virtue shines through.

This story celebrates the pure and potent power of imagination, guiding readers on a mesmerising hero's journey filled with boundless wonder. It has stayed with me since childhood, reminding me to never lose my childlike curiosity and to treasure it. It has infused my world with vibrant colours and a sense of magical awe.

As Dahl famously said “A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”

Emily Pailing – Early Years Lead

‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ is a great introduction to the zany world of Roald Dahl: it’s shorter than some of his other famous books, and very accessible to a slightly younger audience.

Mr Fox is a flawed but lovable hero, and the three farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean, are as funny as they are foul. The farmers are determined to stop Mr Fox burgling their farms, and they’ll go to any lengths to make sure he stays away. Luckily, Mr Fox has a hare-brained scheme to outwit the farmers and save his woodland friends.

An easy and enjoyable read for children aged 6+.

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Roald Dahl was born on 13 September 1916, in Wales.

A trip to a chocolate factory while he was at boarding school was said to have been inspired him.

Dahl's third book - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - was published 35 years later (1964). Before that one was published, he had also released The Gremlins (1943) and James and the Giant Peach (1961).

During the Second World War, Dahl was a fighter pilot before being invalided home. He then worked as a trainer and spy. 

Post-war, Dahl married and had five children. 

Theo Dahl was injured as an infant and his father helped develop a valve to alleviate pressure on the brain.

Dahl's eldest daughter fell ill with measles at age 7. Her death led Dahl to become a lifelong proponent of immunisation.

Throughout his life, Dahl was a prolific author writing 49 books in total. 21 were written for children and 20 for adults. Six of his books were non-fiction and two were autobiographical.