Roald Dahl is many children's favorite author due to his engaging stories featuring unusual yet vividly described characters in magical worlds. Dahl constructs imaginative plots and uses descriptive language to bring his stories to life in a funny yet exciting way for readers. His stories present improbable events as ordinary through the eyes of the characters.

1. Famous Authors –Famous Authors –
Roald DahlRoald Dahl
 Roald Dahl is, without doubt, mostRoald Dahl is, without doubt, most
children’s favourite author.children’s favourite author.
 But WHY???But WHY???

2. What do you like about RoaldWhat do you like about Roald
Dahl’s books and poems?Dahl’s books and poems?
The characters?The characters?
The exciting stories?The exciting stories?
Do you think they are funny?Do you think they are funny?

3. Characters…Characters…
Dahl’s stories are modern-day fairy tales.Dahl’s stories are modern-day fairy tales.
His universe is one of magicalHis universe is one of magical
happenings, peopled byhappenings, peopled by
characters who arecharacters who are
obviously goodobviously good
or obviously bad.or obviously bad.

4. This polarization of characters isThis polarization of characters is
reinforced by detailed descriptions,reinforced by detailed descriptions,
usually of their physical attributes.usually of their physical attributes.
Can you think of any characters that lookCan you think of any characters that look
strange?strange?
Dahl uses language to create humour.Dahl uses language to create humour.

5. Dahl constructs whole new
languages from sound-words.
‘When all the other giants is galloping off every
what way and which to swollop human beans, I
is scuddling away to other places to blow
dreams into the bedrooms of sleeping
children.’ (From the BFG)

6. ‘‘The Enormous CrocodileThe Enormous Crocodile
laughed so much his teethlaughed so much his teeth
rattled together like pennies inrattled together like pennies in
a moneybox.’a moneybox.’
He uses descriptive language to buildHe uses descriptive language to build
a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.

7. Dahl presents unusual and
improbable events as ordinary.
‘They all peered down
anxiously at the sharks
who were cruising slowly
round and round the
peach.’
From James
and the Giant Peach

8. Can you think of any other unusual andCan you think of any other unusual and
unbelievable events in any Roald Dahlunbelievable events in any Roald Dahl
stories?stories?