September 13, 2009

Snozzcumbers and Frobscottle and Roald Dahl's Birthday


Born today in 1916, Roald Dahl wrote many books for adults but he is renowned for his children's stories.

Here's the best list I could compile. As a family we read most of these. I asterisked our favourites. Do you have a favourite Roald Dahl story?

The Gremlins (1943)
James and the Giant Peach (1961) *
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) *
The Magic Finger (1 June 1966)
Fantastic Mr Fox (9 December 1970)
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (9 January 1972) A sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Danny, the Champion of the World (30 October 1975)
The Enormous Crocodile (24 August 1978)
The Twits (9 October 1980) *
George's Marvellous Medicine (21 May 1981)
The BFG (14 October 1982) *
The Witches (27 October 1983)
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (26 September 1985)
Matilda (21 April 1988)*
Esio Trot (19 April 1990)
The Vicar of Nibbleswicke (9 May 1991)
The Minpins (8 August 1991)

The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Children's Museum in London recently hosted an exhibition entitled Snozzcumbers and Frobscottle, featuring the collaboration of Roald Dahl and illustrator extrordinaire, Quentin Blake. That would have been fun but unfortunately I live on the wrong side of the pond.

roalddahl.com also has a great interactive website that would appeal to kids around 8-10.

Illustration from The BFG © Quentin Blake

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello ~

I followed the links thru to your page via thesartorialist.

Thank you, for you have reminded me of the beauty of Dahl. His work will live forever.

and I will always remember The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More. It was a boy's introduction to British literature.

Viva el Dahl!

☆sapphire said...

Hello

Thank you for the list. I've read only several of his books so the list is very helpful. Recently I read "Witches" with my daughter and found that it has a very deep meaning. I enjoyed his site too.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I've always admired Roald Dahl immensely. And he had a shed at the bottom of the garden he went to regularly every day to write, on a board on his knees! What bliss!

nonizamboni said...

I'm a huge fan but sadly came to meet Dahl a little late in life. Thanks for reminding me of this genius.
My all-time favorite is James and the Giant Peach .
Happy Monday, Pup!

Brian Miller said...

love it. we have read a few and the picture gave me a chuckle of rememberance....

ds said...

Oh, yes, Roald Dahl was a huge favorite around here. The books were great fun. Thanks.

studioJudith said...

My husband introduced me to Mr. Dahl, just a few years ago .
I'll be sure and toast his birthday this evening at dinner:
he'll be shocked !
Thanks for the heads up ... . .

M said...

What a great list! I loved Roald Dahl as a child - my favorite stories were "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "Matilda." Some of these books, though, I haven't heard of (i.e. "The Vicar of Nibbleswicke" and "The Minpins.") I'm excited to read those.

T. said...

I recall great joy in reading Dahl aloud to my sons....my favorite being The BFG. Thanks for sparking the memory!

(And speaking of sparks, my wv is ectric!)

amourissima said...

I remember reading Fantastic Mr. Fox in grade 2, Dahl’s stories were always amazing. One of the less desirables in the book Fantastic Mr. Fox was a disgusting character that stuck bubble gum behind his ear to save for later. I tried this myself and ended up with quite the mess.

The Witches, Matilda, The Twits, James and the Giant Peach, and the BFG were all favorites. Thank you for reminding me of Mr. Dahl!

Giulia said...

James & the Giant Peach...tho' loved most of them. Yes, about the writing in the shed & probably a good thing as his crankiness apparently knew no bounds. Norwegian parents, raised in Wales, then to English private school...that's a lot to surmount:)

Have you read Sophie Dahl's book or is it out? I've not. Just thought of her.

ciao-meow

artslice said...

It's hard to choose a fave... but mine is probably The Witches. (the movie version is fab with Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch.)
Also very fond of his autobiographical books, Boy and Going Solo. Such wonderful tales! Hooray for Roald!!