> Skip to content
Roald Dahl



When he was at school Roald Dahl received terrible reports for his writing - with one teacher actually writing in his report, 'I have never met a boy who so persistently writes the exact opposite of what he means. He seems incapable of marshalling his thoughts on paper!' After finishing school Roald Dahl, in search of adventure, travelled to East Africa to work for a company called Shell. In Africa he learnt to speak Swahili, drove from diamond mines to gold mines, and survived a bout of malaria where his temperature reached 105.5 degrees (that's very high!). With the outbreak of the Second World War Roald Dahl joined the RAF. But being nearly two metres tall he found himself squashed into his fighter plane, knees around his ears and head jutting forward. Tragically of the 20 men in his squadron, Roald Dahl was one of only three to survive. Roald wrote about these experiences in his books Boy and Going Solo. Later in the war Roald Dahl was sent to America. It was there that he met famous author C.S. Forester (author of the Captain Hornblower series) who asked the young pilot to write down his war experiences for a story he was writing. Forester was amazed by the result, telling Roald 'I'm bowled over. Your piece is marvellous. It is the work of a gifted writer. I didn't touch a word of it.' (an opinion which would have been news to Roald's early teachers!). Forester sent Roald Dahl's work straight to the Saturday Evening Post. Roald Dahl's growing success as an author led him to meet many famous people including Walt Disney, Franklin Roosevelt, and the movie star Patricia Neal. Patricia and Roald were married only one year after they met! The couple bought a house in Great Missenden called Gipsy House. It was here that Roald Dahl began to tell his five children made-up bedtime stories and from those that he began to consider writing stories for children. An old wooden shed in the back garden, with a wingbacked armchair, a sleeping bag to keep out the cold, an old suitcase to prop his feet on and always, always six yellow pencils at his hand, was where Roald created the worlds of The BFG, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many, many more.

More features

Article
12 easy book week costumes

In need of some book week costume ideas? Look no further, these costumes are super simple and kid-approved.

Article
Books to keep older kids busy this Easter

Easter is almost here – and there is no better gift to give than a book! Learn more about some of the best books to gift older readers.

Article
4 books that will immerse you in the world of Willy Wonka

Four books featuring the master chocolatier to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Article
Get ready to meet a whole new side of Willy Wonka

Everything you need to know about the new Willy Wonka movie and book.

Article
5 easy, last-minute Halloween costumes for kids

These easy last-minute Halloween costumes are easy to DIY but still look great. So cute, you’ll forget they’re homemade from clothes and materials you already have.

Article
QUIZ: Which Matilda character am I?

Find out which character you’re most like from Matilda by Roald Dahl.

Article
Roald Dahl Story Day 2022 party pack

Download activities for school and home.

Article
What to read next based on your favourite type of potato

Love books? Love potatoes? Find your next read here.

Article
9 of the best Roald Dahl quotes to get ready for Roald Dahl Day

Learn about Roald Dahl Story Day and revisit some of the author's best quotes.

Article
Meet our fearless female heroines

These female characters are brave, stand up for their beliefs and aren't afraid to break the status quo. 

Article
Roald Dahl Story Day 2021 party pack

Download activities for school and home.

Article
Easy costume hacks for Book Week 2021

Bluey masks, Roald Dahl favourites, Friday Barnes, Ginger Meggs and more.

Article
The Witches Activity Pack

Beware, the Witches are here. And we have the perfect activity pack to keep you prepared.

Article
The History of Puffin Australia

How a little cartoon bird became the icon of stories for kids.

Article
Read aloud videos by dads

Aussie authors and fathers read picture books for Father's Day 2020.

Article
Father's Day activities and poster

Celebrate Father's Day with these DAD-TASTIC activities!

Article
A new colouring in page every day!

Parents: Click here for 10 minutes of peace. (You're welcome).

Article
Classic of the month: Tales of the Unexpected

In June we mined the depths of the human psyche via Roald Dahl’s 1979 classic short story collection.

Article
Dahl Day 2019 activity pack

Everything you need to celebrate Dahl Day 2019

penguin pop image
penguin pop image