'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Review: The World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl hated beards.

He tested chocolate for Cadbury’s when a schoolboy and wrote in a shed.
 
He was nick-named Lofty in the Royal Air Force due to his height.

These are some of the intriguing truths about Roald Dahl  found in this book. There are also many interesting facts about the illustrator, Quentin Blake, winner of the Kate Greenway, Medal – a collaboration of two unique creators. 

Blake’s quirky and insightful illustrations decorate the pages with his usual flair.

The World of Roald Dahl invites and expects interaction with the nasty and the good of his writings.

There are questions to answer, and opportunities to draw, colour, cut and paste. How to write your own stories is a lesson offered through the introduction of his many characters, and details of villains and their characteristics that add spice and interest to any children’s story.

It is a journey through the chaos and humour of constructed language Roald Dahl style, but also a trail of his work on display, and the reason they have become the most popularly read kids books.

Hours of entertainment are locked between the covers of this highly visual construction. There are: spot the differences in the Grand High Witch double spread, spot-the-object quiz, Snakes not Ladders, lots of chocolate jokes, find the odd turtle out, and a huge maze to wander through.

It ends with a Really Quite Enormous Roald Dahl Quiz, and a Recipe for Bruce Bogtrotter’s Chocolate Cake.

In the usual outstanding design, choc-a-block with images, words, humour, activities and entertainment, any book with Roald Dahl’s name on it is an absolute treasure.

Title: The World of Roald Dahl  
Author: Kay Woodward  
Illustrator: Quentin Blake  
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $19.99  
Publication Date: September 2020  
Format: Paperback  
ISBN: 9780241447970  
For ages: 6+  
Type: Activity Book