Happy Roald Dahl Day!

"The Books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives." Matilda, Roald Dahl.

Choosing my favourite Roald Dahl book is nigh-on impossible. Often, that's because my favourite scenes are cemented in Quentin Blake's gorgeous and wacky illustrations. The 1988 cover of Matilda will always be my favourite book cover. But each book means something different, and transports me to a different point in my childhood. George making his grandma grow taller than a house was the most brilliantly daring thing for a child to do and I loved him for it. The dream catching in The BFG made me so happy, at a time when I wasn't really very happy and The Witches terrified me. I also got some pet mice.



Argue all you like, this is Angelica Houston's finest performance.

This Roald Dahl lampshade features a whole bunch of characters, I could have done with one 20 years ago. Usually, I stayed up really late reading the books, sitting under my duvet and straining my eyes because it was too dark to read. (Yes, I'm wearing glasses as I type this, why do you ask?)

You can buy this lamp (and loads of others) from the Roald Dahl Museum shop. Anyone else up for skiving off work today and taking a trip?

I've written about the Roald Dahl mugs before, but the George's Marvellous Medicine mug wasn't part of the range back then. It's going to be the next addition to my mug collection. I'll use it when I'm plotting sneaky things involving perfume and toilet water.

"Quite simply, he was going to put in EVERYTHING." I think Roald's brilliance was always that he made kids believe in magic. ("Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”) He made us believe that these amazing things - friendly giants, grandmas growing three-storeys high, giant peaches - could happen to any of us. I think sometimes we like to believe that it still might.

Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you. Wise words indeed. This is from Grey Elephant on Etsy and is just $16, with $4 shipping.

"Charlie!' cried Mr Wonka.
'Well, well, well! So there you are!
You're the one who found your ticket only yesterday...
I'm so glad! So happy for you!'"

This limited edition Willy Wonka print is available from The Art of Illustration. There are lots to choose from but this one makes me think of the most wonderful interpretation of a Roald Dahl character by Gene Wilder. Come with me, and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination...



Thanks for making us fall in love with books, Mr Dahl.