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Find out more2016 marks 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl - the world’s number one storyteller. See our special category for newly published books to mark the centenary and for ideas to celebrate the great wonderful achievements of Roald Dahl!
Following on from Charlie's adventures in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie has been given ownership of Wonka's factory, and the Great Glass Elevator is taking Charlie and his family off to claim his prize through the roof of their house. But things don't quite go to plan, with the Great Glass Elevator going just a bit too high - out into orbit in fact.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month March 2017 A great collection of simple semi-scientific experiments perfect for curious children to do at home. In Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, the hero famously makes some evil potions to see off his horrible grandma. Now anyone can have a go. In this book there is a Foaming Fizzy Potion which will satisfyingly froth right up and out of the cup – just don’t try drinking it! And an equally disgusting Boogie Gloop which can be made to dance if set on a speaker with the music turned up to full volume. There’s also stuff to do with magnets, potatoes, worms and candy crystals and loads more. A sprinkling of Quentin Blake illustrations adds to the delight of this book. ~ Julia Eccleshare ***There is special activity pack with ideas to celebrate Science Week to download here! British Science Week is 10–19 March - find out more at www.britishscienceweek.org ----------------------------------------------- Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for March 2017 Jellicle Cats by T.S. Eliot and Arthur Robins William Bee's Wonderful World of Trucks by William Bee The Story of the Dancing Frog by Quentin Blake George's Marvellous Experiments inspired by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake My Name is Victoria by Lucy Worsley Many Moons by Remi Courgeon Freddie Mole, Lion Tamer by Alexanda McCall Smith Black Cats and Butlers by Janine Beacham Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Best-selling Roald Dahl has delighted children for half a century and this 50th anniversary edition celebrates that amazing feat. His titles show no sign of ageing and thankfully they never will as all of them are timeless classics. From the moment the magical Giant Peach appears in James’s unhappy life, sweeps away his deadly Aunts Spiker and Sponge and lifts him off on the adventure of a life time all readers know they are in for a treat. Up and up the Giant Peach flies allowing James to have a host of magical adventures including an encounter with the deadly Cloud Men before the final touch down. A classic story that can be read again and again. For added fun: Roald Dahl Day is on 13th September every year. This year's celebrations focus lots of attention on the 50th anniversary of James and the Giant Peach but that's not everything. Why not get the kids to click on some of the links below to see what a huge amount of fun they can have, from joining the mission to push peaches around the world or organising a reading relay. For year round fun with Roald Dahl click here.
There’s trickery afoot in this touching and brief story. Mr Hoppy loves his garden and he (secretly) loves Mrs Silver. Mrs Silver is oblivious of what Mr Hoppy feels and she gives all of her love to her tortoise! Mr Hoppy realises that the way to Mrs Silver’s heart is to help to make the tortoise grow. But how can he do that? Mr Hoppy comes up with a clever plan. Everyone is happy. Roald Dahl is a master of invention and his love of clever tricks – and here they are unusually nice ones - permeate this delicious story. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in glorious full colour! A book that requires no introduction as it is probably Dahl’s best-known and most read creation and deservedly so. The secretive and magical world of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is revealed to five ‘lucky’ children, each of who has won a golden ticket. However each child gets their comeuppance in some way, except Charlie of course. Brilliant.
Roald Dahl's Esio Trot in glorious full colour! There’s trickery afoot in this touching and brief story. Mr Hoppy loves his garden and he (secretly) loves Mrs Silver. Mrs Silver is oblivious of what Mr Hoppy feels and she gives all of her love to her tortoise! Mr Hoppy realises that the way to Mrs Silver’s heart is to help to make the tortoise grow. But how can he do that? Mr Hoppy comes up with a clever plan. Everyone is happy. Roald Dahl is a master of invention and his love of clever tricks – and here they are unusually nice ones - permeate this delicious story. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach in glorious full colour! From the moment the magical Giant Peach appears in James’s unhappy life, sweeps away his deadly Aunts Spiker and Sponge and lifts him off on the adventure of a life time all readers know they are in for a treat. Up and up the Giant Peach flies allowing James to have a host of magical adventures including an encounter with the deadly Cloud Men before the final touch down. A classic story that can be read again and again. The text is perfectly complemented with colour illustrations by Quentin Blake. **note the extract available is the black & white illustrated edition.
Roald Dahl's Matilda in glorious full colour! Matilda - Roald Dahl's best-loved story - though now over 25 years old, is as fresh, funny and poignant as when it was first published in 1988. The story of a child genius, it has been adapted into film and, most recently, a hugely successful, award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. ** note the extract is taken from Matilda with black & white illustrations.
Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this little box - tremendous postcards are inside. From Golden Tickets and giant peaches to thank you, good-luck and congratulations cards, it's filled with magic!
A truly marvellous set of hardbacks, each with stunning jackets in a FANTABULOUS giftbox, published to celebrate Roald Dahl 100! A review for The BFG: This is a delightful, funny and exciting story, about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also shows that bullying must not be tolerated and Dahl is at his might best here by eventually ensuring the big bad giants get their comeuppance whilst the big friendly giant wins the day alongside the little girl Sophie. The text is perfectly complemented with colour illustrations by Quentin Blake.
Unleash a world of pure imagination and write and draw your way through this fun collection of activities inspired by and featuring some of Roald Dahl’s most famous characters including Matilda, the BFG, Willy Wonka and Fantastic Mr Fox. With illustrations by the one and only Quentin Blake this splendiferous scribble book will inspire hours of phizz-whizzing fun.
Bring your own unique colour and life to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, Charlie's glorious golden ticket, the BFG's magical dream jars and many other classic Roald Dahl scenes inside this beautiful, intricately illustrated colouring book. This scrumdiddlyumptious colouring book will be irresistible to all Roald Dahl fans, young and old.
A splendiferous new hardback of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, part of a collection of truly delumptious classic Roald Dahl titles with stylish jackets over surprise printed colour cases, and exquisite endpaper designs. Following on from Charlie's adventures in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie has been given ownership of Wonka's factory, and the Great Glass Elevator is taking Charlie and his family off to claim his prize through the roof of their house. But things don't quite go to plan, with the Great Glass Elevator going just a bit too high - out into orbit in fact.
A splendiferous new hardback of Danny the Champion of the World, part of a collection of truly delumptious classic Roald Dahl titles with stylish jackets over surprise printed colour cases, and exquisite endpaper designs. A classic Roald Dahl title, a most touching story of a boy and his very special father. Danny and his father live in a caravan parked right next to the garage where his father works. Danny father teaches him how to fix bits of car, reads him bedtime stories and introduces him to the wonders of nature. One night, Danny discovers his father has a secret. He is a brilliant poacher and he is determined to outwit the local gamekeepers. How Danny helps his father carry out his most daring plan of all without being caught is a thrilling read and a triumph for father and son.
Click the image below to find out more about the exciting internet broadcast on 13 September to celebrate Roald Dahl Day
July 22 saw The BFG movie released! Directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Disney and inspired by Roald Dahl, it stars Mark Rylance as The BFG himself and newcomer Ruby Barnhill as young orphan Sophie. Keep up with the movie news on The BFG Movie facebook page!
To mark the centenary Puffin has relaunched their Roald Dahl collection with special covers and artwork from Quentin Blake. And look out for The BFG - it comes with DIY Giant Ears so you can even use it to make your World Book Day costume!
"'We must go higher!' said Mr Wonka. 'We must go tremendously high! Hold on to your stomach!'" Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
"Her own small bedroom now became her reading-room and there she would sit and read most afternoons, often with a mug of hot chocolate beside her." Matilda
Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Wales, on 13th September 1916. He had an unhappy time at school which was to influence his writing greatly. He once said that what distinguished him from most other children’s writers was “this business of remembering what it was like to be young”. Roald’s childhood and schooldays are the subject of his autobiography Boy.
Since Roald Dahl’s death, 23 November 1990, at the age of 74, his books have more than maintained their popularity. His works continue to find fresh readers and a number have been made into films including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox and the upcoming BFG. Matilda the Musical has been hugely successful winning 7 Olivier Awards, playing to packed audiences in the West End and Broadway.
You can find out more about Roald Dahl at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden where the author lived and wrote for 36 years.
Throughout 2016 there are numerous events to celebrate Roald Dahl's contribution to children's literature.
One of Roald Dahl's short stories, The Great Mouse Plot, was chosen as a World Book Day book. It tells the story of the Boy who would grow up to be Roald Dahl and his first trick...‘You had the idea – so you can be the one to put the mouse in the jar.’
Find out more about at www.worldbookday.com
The Summer Reading Challenge, the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged 4 – 11, is themed The Big Friendly Read for 2016. Organised by The Reading Agency and the UK public library network, the Summer Reading Challenge launched in July and supports children in reading six or more library books of their choice over the summer holidays. Over 800,000 children take part each year in the UK alone.
September 13 is Roald Dahl Day – the biggest Roald Dahl Birthday party ever! Join in the celebratory events at schools, libraries and bookshops around the world!
Luke Kelly, MD of Roald Dahl’s Literary Estate and Roald Dahl’s grandson says: “We are looking forward to an extraordinary year celebrating Roald’s unique imagination, his beloved characters and unforgettable stories. It is an honour to be working with so many incredible partner organisations. As well as the things you now know about, be prepared for many surprises and treats along the way.”
Finally, but definitely not least, let Lovereading4kids introduce you to a unique Dictionary. This is not an ordinary dictionary. After all, you wouldn't expect an 'Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary' to be ordinary, would you? Lots of dictionaries tell you what an 'alligator' is, or how to spell 'balloon' but they won't explain the difference between a 'ringbeller' and a 'trogglehumper', or say why witches need 'gruntles' eggs' or suggest a word for the shape of a 'Knid'. This dictionary does all those things. All the words that Roald Dahl invented are here, like 'biffsquiggled' and 'whizzpopping' to remind you what means what. With real citations from Roald Dahl's children's books and illustrations by Quentin Blake, this is authoritative, engaging and accessible and will inspire and encourage young writers and readers.
Visit www.roalddahl.com for more special events, the Roald Dahl museum, new book editions and games and quizzes with all your favourite Roald Dahl creations.