DAHL, Roald

“Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”

Roald Dahl was born in Wales to Norwegian parents and schooled at Repton,Yorkshire. In 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force and became a Flying Ace and Intelligence Officer, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. His first children’s book, published in 1943, The Gremlins, was inspired by RAF folklore.

Dahl spent some time living in America and his early works for children (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox) were first published by American publisher Knopf. In some cases the UK editions weren't published until a few years later.

Dahl later settled in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire and from a shed at the bottom of his garden wrote a string of amusing and captivating stories for children and adults. Many have been transformed into films and stage shows with the current musical, Matilda being a huge success. His short stories Tales from the Unexpected were televised by the BBC and he was the writer of the screenplay for Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang where he invented the gruesome childcatcher.

Please scroll down for our stock of first editions and signed books by Roald Dahl.