Reading - Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl was a British author who wrote many wonderful books for both children and adults. Many people agree that Roald Dahl wrote some of greatest stories ever for children. Roald Dahl was not only a writer; he was also a flying ace in the RAF (Royal Air Force) when he was younger. Roald Dahl's most popular stories are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and The Fantastic Mr Fox.

Roald Dahl (1954)

Roald Dahl was born on the 13th of September, 1916 in Cardiff, Wales. Roald Dahl's parents were both Norwegian, his father Harald emigrated from Norway to Wales in the late 1800s. When Roald Dahl was growing up he spoke Norwegian at home with his parents and 3 sisters. Roald's sister died from an illness when she was only 7 years old and Roald's father died a few weeks later while on a fishing trip. After going to school in Wales for a few years, Roald eventually ended up in a boarding school in England, which is where he learnt to speak English. Roald Dahl was very homesickat school, and missed his mother a great deal. However, every summer Roald and his family spent time together with his mother's relatives in Norway.

James and the Giant Peach

Roald Dahl worked in Africa for a few years and in 1939 he joined the RAF just as World War 2 was starting. Roald Dahl took part in many battles against the German Air Force in the skies above countries such as Greece and Egypt. Roald Dahl left the RAF in 1946, and was regarded as a flying ace because he won 5 aerial battlesagainst his enemies. During his time serving in the RAF Roald Dahl began writing.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl's writing was influenced by many things from his life, especially his childhood. During his childhood he met many interesting, scary and remarkable people that helped him to create the characters in his incredible stories. Roald Dahl also loved to read books as a child. Roald Dahl's most famous work is possibly Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This book was published in 1964 and has been made into 2 very popular movies. Roald Dahl's masterpieces have been read by millions of happy children from all over the world. Roald Dahl passed away on the 23rd February 1990, but his magical stories and characters will live on in the imaginationof his readers forever.

 

author ()- a person who writes books or stories

ace ()- an expert at something - or a successful fighter pilot 

emigrated ()- to have left one country to settle or live in another

boarding school () - a school that students can study at andlive at during the term

homesick ()- to miss home after moving away for a long time

aerial battles ()- a fight in the air between enemy military forces

influenced ()- to have been affected by the actions or opinions of somebody

remarkable ()- unusual or extraordinary

characters ()- a person represented in a story, book or movie

published ()- to print a book, newspaper - or make something publicly available 

masterpieces ()- the greatest piece of an artist's work, or anything that is an example of excellence in its field 

imagination () - thoughts and creations in the mind, mental images

 

Now try our Roald Dahl Quiz!

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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on March 7, 2013 at 15:44

Awesome! Such an interesting man. :)

Comment by vero (陈 菲玉) on March 7, 2013 at 11:52


Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on December 1, 2011 at 4:34

Thanks Gertraud! I will enjoy looking through those stories. 

Christmas is a great time for the students! Enjoy your work over Christmas - and look forward to a more peaceful new year.

Comment by Gertraud Müller on November 30, 2011 at 20:16

Hi Jamie! I found a very interesting page with short stories from differant writers.

http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/botd.html

Maybe you like it. Sorry at the momment I don't have so much time to chat because I have to work overtime. Advent should be a quiet contemplative time but unfortunately it is the opposite. We celeprate St Nicholas Day with our children, it is on 5th of December and we have to prepare things for this event and also for Christmas.  By the way enjoy the stories and hopfully we can talk about it....


Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on November 30, 2011 at 4:13

I don't know that story Gertraud. Are they available online?

The books are awesome! I still enjoy reading them today. Roald Dahl has an amazing way with words.

Comment by Gertraud Müller on November 29, 2011 at 21:32

I love Roald Dhals storys espacially his short storys. Do you know the story about" Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" ? or" Dip in the Pool"? poor Mr Botibol he wants to win the passenger auction......

Comment by natalia on November 29, 2011 at 16:29

thanks for the post jamie!

i have heard of him but read his books never. so i surely must read the books or maybe i'll find an audio-books.

Comment by fang on November 29, 2011 at 14:58

Thank you teacher !  

I only known the charlie and the chocolate but I didn't who is the author. 

My youngest sister is a boarding school student. She go back home one time a month.

 


Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on September 16, 2011 at 18:50
Which books have you read Aphicy?
Comment by Aphicy on September 16, 2011 at 18:48
I really love him!!! His literature always surprised me. ^^
Comment by Penny on September 14, 2011 at 9:01
I love Charlie And The Chocolate Factory so very much!
Comment by Nancy on September 14, 2011 at 6:01

I will see that at asia book store will have " James and the Giant Peach " or not. I like the photo on this book then would like to read it how the story will be!..I will share when I read all.


Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on September 14, 2011 at 5:56
He really is an amazing writer. I loved James and the Giant Peach as a kid. I still love to read his books today!
Comment by Nancy on September 13, 2011 at 14:24
He's very cool guy.I think I should find his book to read some..

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