Famous Authors – Famous Authors – Roald DahlRoald Dahl

Roald Dahl is, without doubt, mostRoald Dahl is, without doubt, mostchildren’s favourite author.children’s favourite author.

But WHY???But WHY???

What do you like about Roald What do you like about Roald Dahl’s books and poems?Dahl’s books and poems?

The characters?The characters?The exciting stories?The exciting stories?Do you think they are funny?Do you think they are funny?

Characters…Characters…Dahl’s stories are modern-day fairy tales. Dahl’s stories are modern-day fairy tales.

His universe is one of magical His universe is one of magical happenings, peopled by happenings, peopled by

characters who are characters who are

obviously good obviously good

or obviously bad.or obviously bad.

This polarization of characters is This polarization of characters is reinforced by detailed descriptions, reinforced by detailed descriptions, usually of their physical attributes. usually of their physical attributes.

Can you think of any characters that look Can you think of any characters that look strange?strange?

Dahl uses language to create humour.Dahl uses language to create humour.

Dahl constructs whole new languages from sound-words.

‘When all the other giants is galloping off every what way and which to swollop human beans, I

is scuddling away to other places to blow dreams into the bedrooms of sleeping

children.’ (From the BFG)

‘‘The Enormous Crocodile laughed so The Enormous Crocodile laughed so much his teeth rattled together like much his teeth rattled together like

pennies in a moneybox.’pennies in a moneybox.’

He uses descriptive language to build He uses descriptive language to build a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.

Dahl presents unusual and

improbable events as ordinary.

‘They all peered down

anxiously at the sharks

who were cruising slowly

round and round the

peach.’

From James

and the Giant Peach

Can you think of any other unusual and Can you think of any other unusual and unbelievable events in any Roald Dahl unbelievable events in any Roald Dahl

stories?stories?