Roald Dahl Story Day

Time for a bit of nostalgia or encouragement for the younger generations to open up into the world of Roald Dahl’s incredible storytelling.

Roald Dahl Story Day is celebrated annually on 13th September which is actually Dahl’s birthday. Coincidence? I think not! Acknowledged by schools, libraries, book shops and community groups across the world honour the day by commemorating his work, life and legacy as one of the world’s much-loved authors.

Let’s just get a quick reminder of the great man himself. Did you know that Dahl wrote 49 books in total and 21 of those were aimed at children, which I’m sure most adults still cherish those stories. The first-ever book he wrote was the classic story of ‘Gremlins’ which was made into a feature film in the ’80s (in my opinion, a classic!). Sadly Dahl passed away in 1990 aged 74 but not before he created 500 new words like Oompa-Loompas, scrumdiddlyumptious, snozzcumbers, and frobscottle. So let’s celebrate this marvellous day by getting involved in Roald Dahl-themed activities and even help raise some money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. The charity provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children living with complex, lifelong conditions.

FOR THE ADULTS

The Complete Short Series:
Volume One

Just as it says on the tin, this book contains all 27 of Dahl’s short stories that were written between 1944 and 1953. Prepare to enter the sinister and dark imagination of Roald Dahl with his classic tales such as ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’, ‘The Sound Machine’ and ‘Man of The South.’With a rating of 4.5 stars, it’s a great option if you’ve never delved into the world of Dahl as an adult. Volume Two is the complete collection of all short stories written between 1954 - 1988.

My Uncle Oswald

The book follows the mischievous and unscrupulous character, Uncle Oswald, and his clever scheme to collect and sell semen from famous men with the help of Yasmin
Howcomely. They travel the world, engaging in humorous and risqué encounters with historical figures like Sigmund Freud and Pablo Picasso. The novel satirizes human desires, sexuality, and the pursuit of financial gain,
departing from Dahl’s more well-known children’s literature.

FOR THE KIDS

George’s Marvellous Medicine

A young boy named George Kranky concocts a special medicine to deal with his mean grandmother, Grandma Kranky. Using household items and barn ingredients, George creates a magical potion with unexpected effects. When Grandma Kranky takes the medicine, it leads to wild and hilarious consequences, showcasing Dahl’s dark humour and clever storytelling. The book explores themes of mischief, empowerment, and the power of imagination,
captivating young readers with its whimsical and fantastical journey.

Esio Trot

Mr. Hoppy, an elderly man secretly in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Silver. To win her affection and make her happy, Mr. Hoppy concocts a clever plan. He pretends to have a magical spell called the “Esio Trot,” that will make her pet tortoise, Alfie, grow faster. In reality, the spell is just the word “tortoise” spelled backward. Mr. Hoppy replaces Alfie with larger tortoises, convincing Mrs. Silver who believes the spell is working. She becomes fond of Mr. Hoppy, leading to a heartwarming tale of love, kindness, and whimsy. Published in September 1990, this was the last of Dahls books published in his lifetime.

Of course, there are many classics like BFG, Matilda, The Witches, The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and so many more to enjoy. The beautiful thing about Dahl’s books is that they’re timeless and can be enjoyed as if it was the first time you read the story.

Visit https://www.roalddahlcharity.org/ to donate to Roald Dahl’s charity.