(1916–90). The British author Roald Dahl is known for writing such popular books as James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dahl's humorous and imaginative children's stories are favorites with readers both young and old.

Early life and military service

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Wales, on September 13, 1916. His early life was difficult. When Roald was only 3, his older sister died. A few months later, his father died as well. Roald's mother had to care for her four children and two stepchildren alone. The family moved to Kent, England, soon after his father's death.

Throughout his childhood Roald attended various boarding schools. He was shocked by the cruelty of the teachers toward the students. After high school he worked for an oil company in London and Tanzania.

When World War II began in 1939 Dahl joined the British Royal Air Force (RAF). He was seriously injured during a crash landing. Dahl's first writings were about his experiences in the military. His first children's book, The Gremlins, was published in 1943. Later made into a movie, the book told of mythical creatures that cause fighter planes to crash.

Children's stories and movies

During the 1950s Dahl wrote short stories for adults. After he became a father, however, he started making up bedtime stories for his children and realized that he enjoyed creating children's stories. In 1961 Dahl published James and the Giant Peach, which is the tale of a small boy's magical adventures. It was followed in 1964 by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is about a poor child whose luck changes when he visits the workshop of an extraordinary candy maker.

Dahl also wrote screenplays, or scripts for movies. In 1968 he wrote the screenplay for the children's movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 1971 he helped make Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into a movie called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Dahl's inventive stories are action-packed and feature memorable characters. His later children's books included Danny: The Champion of the World (1975), The BFG (1982), and Matilda (1988). Dahl died in Oxford, England, on November 23, 1990.