. Born on 13th September 1916, in South Wales. Norwegian parents. Father died when he was 4 Roald Dahl could speak three languages - English, Norwegian and Swahili.

. At school, he was always homesick. He had to wear a horrible school uniform. Teachers were cruel and often caned the students This later gave him ideas for his stories This is going to hurt me much more than it will hurt you! Six of the best!

Second World War He joined the Royal Air Force. He was a fighter pilot. He shot down German planes. He crashed because of poor directions and lack of fuel. But he did recover and later wrote his first story about it.

His favourite colour in the whole world was yellow. He always wrote in pencil on yellow paper.

Roald Dahl’s first book for children. In 1943, he published his first children's book "The Gremlins " with Walt Disney.

Roald Dahl’s story is about mischievous Gremlins who begin by damaging the aircraft flown by WW 2 pilots but eventually they join forces against Hitler and instead help to repair them. In 1984 the film ‘Gremlins’ was produced based a little on Roald Dahl’s characters - though the story is not the same.

He wrote many books which were made into films..... Published in1961 Film: 1996

He loved chocolate, but not chocolate cake or chocolate ice cream………

During his years at school, Cadbury, the chocolate company, would send boxes of new chocolates to the school to be tested by the pupils.Cadbury He used to dream of inventing a new chocolate bar that would win the praise of Mr. Cadbury himself, and this was the inspiration for him to write his third book for children, Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1964 Film: 2005

The Witches 1983 Film: The Witches 1990

Matilda: 1988 Film: Matilda 1996

The BFG The BFG – was about a Big Friendly Giant and a little girl called Sophie. Roald Dahl himself was a bit like a giant – he was 6 feet 6 inches tall. And his mother and one daughter were called Sophie.

. Roald Dahl died on 23rd November 1990 at the age of 74.. Roald Dahl's birthday on 13 September is now celebrated as "Roald Dahl Day”

What is your favourite Roald Dahl book?

Did you know

Roald Dahl kept a secret diary from the age of 8. To make sure his sisters couldn’t read it, he tied it to a branch at the very top of an enormous conker tree in his garden.

Roald Dahl wrote all his children’s stories in a small hut at the bottom of his garden.

Roald Dahl first children’s book was ‘The Gremlins’, not ‘James and the Giant peach’.

Roald Dahl was a hurricane fighter pilot during World War Two.

Prayer: Hands together, eyes closed….. Dear God, Thankyou for helping people like Roald Dahl to write such great stories for us to enjoy listening to and reading ourselves. Help us to be like the good people in his stories. Amen.