3. Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
If his date of birth is 13th September
1916, how old would he be on his
birthday this year if he was still alive?
99 years old!
4. How many children’s books did Roald
Dahl write?
Has anyone in your family ever read
any of his books?
Why do you think we still love Roald
Dahl’s books?
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
6. Can you guess how many years ago
the book was written?
51 years ago!
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
7. Why do you think Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory is still so special?
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
The story is so popular that it has been
adapted for an on-stage musical and two
films.
11. Think of a message that
you would write to Roald
Dahl in his birthday card?
How would you decorate his
card?
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
12. Activity
Birthday card design
Make your own birthday card for Roald Dahl to
celebrate his birthday.
• Use inspiration from his books.
• Look at Quentin Blake’s pictures for ideas.
• Think about the film adaptations.
• Make it colourful!
• Include a message explaining why you like
his books.
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
13. Thumbs up, thumbs down!
Watch the following clip from Willy
Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(1971).
Put your thumbs up for sweets you
would like to eat and thumbs down for
sweets you wouldn’t like to eat!
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
How many children’s books did Roald Dahl write?
Answer: Roald Dahl published 17 children’s books, 2 rhyme books, plus 2 autobiographies, 2 adult books, 51 adult short stories and more.
Students may comment on the fact that Roald Dahl used an ordinary character as his hero and that he was rewarded for his good behaviour and attitude. They may comment on the fantastical nature of Willy Wonka and the magical charm of the chocolate factory.
You could ask a few students for adjectives eg scared, excited, nervous, thrilled.
Ask students to imagine that they are one of the lucky golden ticket winners entering Willy Wonka’s factory for the first time. Watch the clip and think of an adjective explaining how they feel.
After watching the clip go round and ask some students for their adjectives
Again, adjectives from a few more students.
Children may wish to use a number of different materials and techniques, including ICT, arts and crafts media. They might suggest making it colourful and happy, or funny and disgusting to reflect some of the themes in his stories.
For more on Roald Dahl from Into Film visit http://www.intofilm.org/roald-dahl