His books have continued to be read and loved, and have been made into a number of hit films, including Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He died in hospital in Oxford, on November 23rd, 1990. His mesmerising stories, written in sizzling, sparkly language, will lead you into adventures you’ll never ever forget!įrom 1945 until his death, he lived at Gipsy House, in Buckinghamshire, where he wrote his famous children’s books. He wrote a number of books and short stories for adults, many of which were televised as the hugely popular Tales of the Unexpected.īut it was as a children’s author that he found greatest fame and satisfaction, saying “I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers…Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful.” Millions of fans around the world agreed and have chuckled and gasped at his amazing stories. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the President of the USA liked it so much he was invited to the White House and became friends with the President, Franklin D Roosevelt. His very first children’s book, written in 1943 was called The Gremlins. After the war he worked in America, and soon started writing stories. In the second world war he fought as a fighter pilot, and was badly injured when his plane crashed. His first job was in Africa, with the Shell Oil Company. He went to Repton school, in Derbyshire, and left school in 1933. His parents were Norwegian, and were called Harald and Sofie. Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, South Wales on September 13th 1916.

The enormous crocodile colour edition