The World's No. 1 Storyteller

I’m sure Roald Dahl would be at the top of many people’s booklist for the most popular children’s author; what a brilliant storyteller he was!

13th September, Roald Dahl's birthday, has been declared "Roald Dahl Day" and we’d like to celebrate his birth month by remembering his classic books that we used to read as a child (or still read now!). 

If you have never read his books, you are never too old to start reading his wonderful collection! Here’s a reminder of them:-

• James and the Giant Peach (1961) – The hugely popular story of James and his journey to New York with the strangest group of insect friends.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) – A very famous story about the most wondrous inventor in the world, Mr Willy Wonka, who opens the gates of his amazing chocolate factory to five lucky children, one of them being Charlie Bucket!
• The Magic Finger (1966) – A little girl with magical powers; when someone makes her angry she zaps a punishment on them with her magic flashing finger.
• Fantastic Mr Fox (1968) – Nasty farmers hate Mr Fox and are determined to get him, but clever Mr Fox has other plans!
• Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972) – A story of what happened after Charlie won Willy Wonka’s  chocolate factory; Charlie and his family find themselves in a splendid orbit around the Earth.
• Danny, the Champion of the World (1975) – Danny thinks his dad is the most marvellous and exciting father a boy could wish for until one day he discovers his dad has been breaking the law. Danny has to join his father to outwit their greedy, rich neighbour.
• The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977) – Twisting everyday life, these powerful seven short fantasies include Turtles, Fingersmiths, The Mildenhall, Treasure, Even a Man Who Can See with his Eyes Closed.
• The Enormous Crocodile (1978) – When a greedy, child-eating crocodile is taught a lesson by the other animals.
• The Twits (1980) – When the Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird hatch an ingenious plan to give the horrible and truly revolting Mr and Mrs Twit a ghastly surprise they deserve!
• Georges Marvellous Medicine (1981) – George creates a very special medicine to cure his grandma of her nasty habits.
• Revolting Rhymes (1982) – If you thought Cinderella married the prince and lived happily ever after, you’d better think again… Six of the best-loved nursery tales, retold with surprising and sometimes disgusting twists!
• The BFG (1982) – The Big Friendly Giant is the kindest giant there is and sets out to rid the world of the Bloodbottler, the Fleshlumpeater and all their rotten friends, with his friend Sophie.
• Dirty Beasts (1983) – “WARNING! This book contains wickedly funny verse, prickly surprises and the most despicable creatures you could ever hope (not) to meet.” A collection of (mainly) grisly beasts out for human blood.
• The Witches (1983) – The story of a detestable breed of witches who disguise themselves as lovely ladies however, this doesn’t fool one boy and his grandmother who try to get rid of them for good!
• Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984) – Boy is the remarkable story of Roald Dahl’s childhood; tales of exciting and strange things – some funny, some frightening, all true.
• The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (1985) – Billy becomes best friends with a giraffe, a pelly and a monkey and his dream is to turn a weird old wooden house into a wonderful sweet shop; it just might come true…
• Going Solo (1986) – a story of Roald Dahl’s extraordinary life before he became the world’s number one storyteller. Following on from Boy, he tells his story of when he grew up and left England for Africa; a series of dangerous adventures began.
• Matilda (1988) – Matilda is a genius from a young age and discovers she has a very special power. Unloved and treated horribly by her family and headmistress, this is a gripping story of how Matilda finally finds happiness.
• Rhyme Stew (1989) – An inventive collection for older children and adults, Rhyme Stew bubbles over with Dahl’s humour and extraordinary imagination. 
• Esio Trot (1990) – This is a wonderful and warm-hearted classic. Mr Hoppy finally has the opportunity to win Mrs Silver’s heart with the help of a magic spell and some cabbage leaves.
• The Vicar of Nibbleswicke (1991) – Reverend Lee doesn’t realise that his dyslexia is affecting his sermons by garbling messages. A cure is found but the Vicar must walk backwards for the rest of his life…  
• The Minpins (1991) – The red-hot smoke-belching Gruncher from the woods is real enough but Billy doesn’t believe there could be monsters. Tiny minpins are discovered and their miniature world is in danger.
• Roald Dahl’s Guide to Railway Safety (1991) – A brilliant guide for young people to help them use the railways safely.

 “A true genius…Roald Dahl is me hero” – David Walliams

Another author at the top of our most popular children's authors would be Enid Blyton. Did you know Enid wrote over 2000 novels? Find out more here in our 'Tell Me More About: Enid Blyton' blog.