Chaos at the Chocolate Factory: World Book Day 2026: A Mini Short Story Book

by Roald Dahl, Sibéal Pounder, Emily Jones (Illustrator)

An exclusive new World Book Day story, inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory from bestselling author Sibéal Pounder, and illustrated by Emily Jones.

Charlie Bucket is having a magical time learning to run Mr Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory. There are so many delicious new creations to be invented! And as long as there is a Wonka chocolate factory, there will be a Willy Wonka pinging about like an excited squirrel inside it - along with his brilliant Oompa Loompas, who know just how to keep everything running smoothly.

But everyone needs a holiday, even Oompa Loompas. And that’s where this story begins . . .

When Mr Wonka and the Oompa Loompas decide it's time to go on an adventure to look for marvellous new recipe ingredients, Charlie is left to run the factory by himself for the first time. And it's fair to say things don't quite go to plan . . .

Can Charlie use his imagination to save the chocolate factory from disaster - or will all the chaos mean closing the factory gates forever?

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[Toby Sutton-Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one way, I was more than a little overjoyed by seeing that this was a thing; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of my favourite stories and it's nice to finally have a proper canon sequel (as much as Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is decent on its own terms it doesn't really work as a sequel, I feel). Obviously as a World Book Day novella it doesn't check all the boxes, but it's a believably Dahl-esque story and it was nice to see Charlie, Willy Wonka and the grandparents, as well as a couple of other characters I didn't expect to see back. Hopefully this could lead to a full length story, like they've done with The Twits. Sibeal Pounder wrote a good piece, and while Quentin Blake will always be the definitive Dahl illustrator, Emily Jones' illustrations were really lovely.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a fun book to read!

The story was well written and it was easy to read and understand and it was a great follow on to the main Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books that were written by Roald Dahl.

The illustrations in the book were great and they were very in keeping with the ones from the initial story - this is a great tribute to what happened in the previous books and it was good to see what had happened to Charlie and some of the other characters from the books.

We got this one as part of World Book Day 2026 and I am so pleased that this book was chosen so it can be read for free by so many school children.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

[Snarhooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty enjoyable story that did a decent job of mimicking some of the wordplay style of Dahl. A few too many callouts to things that happened in the original book and/or film. It felt like it moved beyond homage and was more padding. The story itself wasn't bad, a nice take on the dangers of all-powerful machines thinking they know best.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An marvellous little WBD book that brings us a little sneak peek into Charlie’s life as he lives and works at the chocolate factory. It’s so fascinating to see the direction in which Pounder is deciding to take this world!

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was incredibly fun to read. As an adult that grew up on Roald Dahl I love that his works are being built upon.

I loved the creative silliness of the story. It fits in so well with the original story.