THE annual day dedicated to Roald Dahl is TODAY - a perfect time to celebrate the famous children's author and his classic books.
So what's planned for the big day and how can you get involved?
Who was Roald Dahl?
The children’s author was born in Llandaff, South Wales, on September 13, 1916.
His parents were Norwegian which meant he spent many summers visiting his grandparents in Oslo as a child.
He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War where he became an intelligence officer.
In the 1940s Dahl's writing became increasingly popular and he was soon one of the world's biggest selling authors writing his books for both adults and children.
The Times placed him at number 16 of their chart of "the 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
Roald Dahl's books often championed the kind-hearted characters and featured determined children tackling villainous adults.
He passed away in 1990 at the age of 74 of a rare blood cancer.
What books has Roald Dahl written and who are the most loved characters?
The Roald Dahl library of children's books includes a number of very well known titles.
Among his most famous books are:
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- The BFG
- Matilda
- James and the Giant Peach
- The Witches
- Fantastic Mr Fox
- The Twits
He has also written a number of books intended for adults, such as My Uncle Oswald, Kiss Kiss and Switch Bitch.
What happens on Roald Dahl Day?
Roald Dahl Day falls on the writer's birthday every year - September 13.
There are a number of ways to mark the occasion, including dressing up as one of his famous characters or getting stuck into one of the author's famous books.
You can also throw your own Roald Dahl themed party, with downloadable party packs available online.
In them you will discover invites, crafts, puzzles and colouring as well as a handy guide to working out your Roald Dahl name.
Keen tweeters can also post a note on Twitter with the hashtag #RoaldDahlDay.
What is your Roald Dahl Name?
WHAT’S THE FIRST LETTER OF YOUR NAME?
The Frightsome– A
The Phizz-whizzing – B
The Gloriumptious – C
The Whoopsy-splunkers – D
The Wondercrump – E
The Jumpsquiffling – F
The Scrumdiddlyumptious – G
The Propsposterous – H
The Hopskotchy – I
The Rotsome – J
The Catasterous – K
The Ucky-mucky – L
The Squibbling – M
The Delumptious – N
The Splatch-winkling – O
The Buggles – P
The Frothbungling – Q
The Snitching – R
The Muggled – S
The Manhugger – T
The Noddy– U
The Scrotty – V
The Flushbunking– W
The Frogglebunking – X
The Whunking – Y
The Snoozing – Z
FIRST LETTER OF YOUR
SURNAME
A – Humpy-rumpy
B – Bean
C – Boggis
D – Roly-poly
E – Notsobig
F – Bunce
G – Twit
H – Trunchbull
I – Trogglehumper
J – Muggle-wump
K – Fleshlumpeater
L – Oompa-Loompa
M – Hornswaggler
N – Quogwinkle
O – Vermicious Knid
P – Time-twiddler
Q – Snozzcumber
R – Blabbersnitch
S – Crabcruncher
T – Human Bean
U – Maidmasher
V – Gizzardgulper
W – Bootboggler
X – Chalbag
Y – Pink-spotted Scrunch
Z – Gloop
What are the best costumes for Roald Dahl Day?
If you want to dress up for Roald Dahl Day, the author's website has a few easy ideas.
Girls can choose to be Matilda by wearing a dress, headband and carrying a pile of books.
Boys can opt for Charlie Bucket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, wearing old clothes such as T-shirt and jeans, and brandishing a golden ticket.
Miss Spider is a more adventurous option from James and the Giant Peach, as is having a go at an Oompa Loompa.
Or you could try the more grown-up roles of Matilda's Miss Trunchbull and Willy Wonka.
Who are the best Roald Dahl characters?
Apart from those mentioned above, other favourite characters include Danny from Danny Champion of the World, Mr and Mrs Twit from The Twits and Mr Fox from The Fantastic Mr Fox.
Plus there's the BFG, Bruce Bogtrotter from Matilda, Violet Beauregarde and Augustus Gloop.
MORE BOOKS
What are some of Roald Dahl's famous quotes?
Despite most of his work being designed for children, the insightful quality of Roald Dahl's writing means both children and grown-ups can relate to the themes.
Here are some of his more memorable quotes:
- "A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men." - Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
- "A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - The Twits
- "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - The Minpins
- "It's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself." - Danny Champion of the World
- "It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you." - The Witches
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqecsKtfbH9zf5dvbmiqn5a5pXnDmp%2BlZZSWxm7Azp2YsmWTna6zrcKtnKurXZe8sLfSZpqoq6Squqa%2Fjg%3D%3D