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Roald Dahl
Profiles the author who fought with the British Royal Air Force during World War II, and later wrote children's books, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "James and the Giant Peach," and "Gremlins."
32 pages, Library Binding
First published April 1, 2001
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 25, 2014
This biography about Roald Dahl is filled with tons of information. It starts put with talking about writing one of his famous books. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of his first books and is one of the most famous now. It has also been made into a movie because it was such a good idea. The story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came from Roald’s real life when he was a chocolate tester for Cadbury. Then he imagined a laboratory where a bunch of candy is made when he was in boarding school. This inspired the lab part of the chocolate factory. He then came up with the idea and went through with all of his thoughts. The second chapter is about him growing up in his life. He was born in Great Britain but more specifically South Wales. He was born into a wealthy family and they had an elegant house in a village named Llandaff. Unfortunately, there was a tragedy in his family and his sister and father died suddenly. His sister got appendicitis and his father got pneumonia. During school, his teachers didn’t think he was a very good writer and Roald never thought of himself as a book writer. After graduating from school, he decided to go overseas to Africa to explore. He then joined the war and was trained to fly fighter planes. He became a famous children’s writer from his book James and the Giant Peach, which were bedtime stories he told to his children.
This book was really good and very informative. It had tons of information that I never knew about before. I really learned a lot about his life and the parts leading up to him becoming a famous children’s writer. This book didn’t have pictures but it did have pieces of the story on the sides of the pages in bold. It represented the importance and helped summarized some of the key points on those pages. I liked how the book was divided into different parts of his life. It made it more organized and it was easy to follow along. His life was really interesting and I enjoyed reading about it. This is a really good book to read especially if someone wants to know more on his life. It is filled with so many details and now I feel like I know everything about his life.
This book was really good and very informative. It had tons of information that I never knew about before. I really learned a lot about his life and the parts leading up to him becoming a famous children’s writer. This book didn’t have pictures but it did have pieces of the story on the sides of the pages in bold. It represented the importance and helped summarized some of the key points on those pages. I liked how the book was divided into different parts of his life. It made it more organized and it was easy to follow along. His life was really interesting and I enjoyed reading about it. This is a really good book to read especially if someone wants to know more on his life. It is filled with so many details and now I feel like I know everything about his life.
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April 6, 2025Book Review: Roald Dahl by Ann Graham Gaines
Introduction
In Roald Dahl, part of the Real-Life Reader Biography series by Ann Graham Gaines, readers are invited to explore the life and legacy of one of the most beloved children’s authors of the 20th century. This biography presents an engaging account of Dahl’s journey from a challenging childhood to his success as a writer, offering insights into the experiences that shaped his imagination and storytelling prowess. Gaines’s work not only highlights Dahl’s literary contributions but also examines the complexities of his personality and the influences that permeated his writing.
Summary of Content
Gaines opens with a depiction of Dahl’s early life, detailing his upbringing in Wales and the impact of his Norwegian heritage on his formative years. She recounts important events from his childhood, including his experiences at boarding school, which would later inspire some of the themes found in his works. The author effectively ties together Dahl’s personal experiences with the fantastical worlds he created, highlighting how his moments of adversity sparked his creativity.
The biography transitions to Dahl’s career, chronicling the evolution of his writing style and the development of his most famous works, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG. Gaines discusses the unique narrative techniques Dahl employed, including his penchant for dark humor and moral lessons wrapped in whimsical storytelling. The author emphasizes the lasting impact of Dahl’s books on children and literature, illustrating their relevance and appeal across generations.
Themes and Analysis
Several key themes emerge throughout Gaines’s biography:
Creativity Born from Adversity: Gaines emphasizes how Dahl’s difficult childhood experiences contributed to his rich imaginative capabilities, suggesting that challenges can fuel creativity in profound ways.
The Power of Storytelling: The author showcases Dahl’s belief in the transformative power of stories, both for children and adults. His narratives often feature themes of resilience, creativity, and moral integrity.
Influence of Personal Experiences: Gaines connects various elements of Dahl’s life to the themes and characters in his books, making a compelling case for how personal history informs literary creation.
Cultural Impact: The biography explores Dahl’s significant influence on children’s literature, noting how his works have transcended their original publication to inspire adaptations in film, theatre, and beyond.
Style and Writing
Gaines’s writing is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for a young audience while providing enough depth for adult readers. The biography is well-structured, with clear headings and smooth transitions that guide readers through Dahl’s life stages. Gaines incorporates quotes, anecdotes, and analyses that enrich the narrative, allowing readers to connect with both the author and his work on a personal level.
Conclusion
Roald Dahl by Ann Graham Gaines is an insightful and informative biography that captures the essence of one of literature’s most cherished figures. By exploring Dahl’s life and influences, Gaines provides a thoughtful reflection on the intersection of personal experience and creative expression. This book is recommended for young readers, teachers, and anyone interested in understanding the life of a man whose stories have brought joy to millions. Gaines’s work not only educates but also inspires a new generation to appreciate the magic of storytelling.
Introduction
In Roald Dahl, part of the Real-Life Reader Biography series by Ann Graham Gaines, readers are invited to explore the life and legacy of one of the most beloved children’s authors of the 20th century. This biography presents an engaging account of Dahl’s journey from a challenging childhood to his success as a writer, offering insights into the experiences that shaped his imagination and storytelling prowess. Gaines’s work not only highlights Dahl’s literary contributions but also examines the complexities of his personality and the influences that permeated his writing.
Summary of Content
Gaines opens with a depiction of Dahl’s early life, detailing his upbringing in Wales and the impact of his Norwegian heritage on his formative years. She recounts important events from his childhood, including his experiences at boarding school, which would later inspire some of the themes found in his works. The author effectively ties together Dahl’s personal experiences with the fantastical worlds he created, highlighting how his moments of adversity sparked his creativity.
The biography transitions to Dahl’s career, chronicling the evolution of his writing style and the development of his most famous works, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG. Gaines discusses the unique narrative techniques Dahl employed, including his penchant for dark humor and moral lessons wrapped in whimsical storytelling. The author emphasizes the lasting impact of Dahl’s books on children and literature, illustrating their relevance and appeal across generations.
Themes and Analysis
Several key themes emerge throughout Gaines’s biography:
Creativity Born from Adversity: Gaines emphasizes how Dahl’s difficult childhood experiences contributed to his rich imaginative capabilities, suggesting that challenges can fuel creativity in profound ways.
The Power of Storytelling: The author showcases Dahl’s belief in the transformative power of stories, both for children and adults. His narratives often feature themes of resilience, creativity, and moral integrity.
Influence of Personal Experiences: Gaines connects various elements of Dahl’s life to the themes and characters in his books, making a compelling case for how personal history informs literary creation.
Cultural Impact: The biography explores Dahl’s significant influence on children’s literature, noting how his works have transcended their original publication to inspire adaptations in film, theatre, and beyond.
Style and Writing
Gaines’s writing is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for a young audience while providing enough depth for adult readers. The biography is well-structured, with clear headings and smooth transitions that guide readers through Dahl’s life stages. Gaines incorporates quotes, anecdotes, and analyses that enrich the narrative, allowing readers to connect with both the author and his work on a personal level.
Conclusion
Roald Dahl by Ann Graham Gaines is an insightful and informative biography that captures the essence of one of literature’s most cherished figures. By exploring Dahl’s life and influences, Gaines provides a thoughtful reflection on the intersection of personal experience and creative expression. This book is recommended for young readers, teachers, and anyone interested in understanding the life of a man whose stories have brought joy to millions. Gaines’s work not only educates but also inspires a new generation to appreciate the magic of storytelling.
May 14, 2011
Interesting glimpse into the background on this famous author. Interesting that Cadbury sent chocolate to the school for the children to test.
Adoptive parents: Small issue when describing his home life (his father's first wife died, leaving two small children). His father remarried and the new wife (Sofie) "treated his children as if they were her own". Then the book tells us his father and his new wife "had four children of their own".
Adoptive parents: Small issue when describing his home life (his father's first wife died, leaving two small children). His father remarried and the new wife (Sofie) "treated his children as if they were her own". Then the book tells us his father and his new wife "had four children of their own".
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews