Roald Dahl is a beloved and widely celebrated author. Dahl is best known for his fictional short stories and novels for children. He also wrote poetry and screenplays. Some of his most loved works of fiction include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. He received many prestigious awards for his works of fiction, including numerous Mystery Writers of America awards, Surrey School Awards, and the World Fantasy Convention Lifetime Achievement Award. Boy received the Boston Globe/Horn Book nonfiction honor citation.

Many of his books have been adapted to the screen, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Witches, The BFG, and James and the Giant Peach. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the film version of Ian Fleming’s novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Tony-winning musical Matilda is adapted from his novel.

Dahl’s father, an ambitious Norwegian man who ran away to France and then Britain to make his fortune, had a significant impact on the young Dahl, even though he passed away when Dahl was only three. He had a passion for art and beautiful things, a passion that his son inherited. Furthermore, Harald dealt with the hardships of life with good humor, a trait that he also shared with his son.