Why is a dose of Roald Dahl so good for my kids?

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Presented by Michael Rosen, poet and former Children's Laureate.

Hold your breath, make a wish …

One incredibly important thing we can give our children is to introduce them to books they love at a very early age. The key to success is unlocking children's imaginations and curiosity with stories that really excite them.

When a Roald Dahl story gets you in its grip, there’s nothing quite like it. This giant of a man didn't write typical children’s stories; they are anarchic, outrageous and cruel with exuberant language and playful rudeness.

Here I reveal just some of the important life lessons to be gleaned from his stories, and how to ignite and nurture a lasting love of reading in your kids.

Magic recipe

Dahl's children's stories contain extraordinary ingredients which make them utterly delicious to kids, and many have been adapted as screenplays. But what exactly makes the characters so unforgettable and impossible to resist?

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GOBBLEFUNK: Children adore this fantastic language which Roald Dahl created. Lots of examples can be found in The BFG, The Witches and the Charlie books. Far from random, his invented words are all plausible alternatives to the originals.
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SECRET PLANS AND CLEVER TRICKS: There's no end to mischievous plotting and trickery, both by notorious villains and the young heroes who devise amazing ways to outwit them. Ultimately Dahl's children's stories always ensured good conquered bad.
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DARK AND SCARY: "Fairy tales need to contain something a bit scary for children," said Dahl, "as long as you make them laugh as well." Children enjoy being scared. Part of the thrill is knowing nothing terrible is actually going to happen to them.
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OUTLANDISH CONCEIT: Children are open to big ideas, curious about the world around them – and with Dahl anything is possible. What better way to spark their imaginations than to introduce fantastic conceits like a giant peach full of talking insects?
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TABOOS: Dahl loved to defy social convention. Parodies like Little Red Riding Hood, who shoots the wolf dead, and mentioning knickers in a kids story in the early 80s ("she pulls a pistol from her knickers") were on the edge of acceptability.
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YOUNG HEROES: Dahl created fine young characters and put them in truly challenging situations. This in turn reveals their good nature. Here the kind-hearted Charlie Bucket finds a golden ticket in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
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EVIL GROWN-UPS: There's an expectation that children should love their parents and relatives. But some adults mistreat children. Dahl explored this reality and ensured the young heroes outsmarted the cruel grown-ups in astonishingly inventive ways.
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MAGNIFIED PERSONALITY TRAITS: Dahl tapped into children’s understanding of the world as black or white. Evil characters are truly bad, and the good are exceptional – leaving no doubt as to where your allegiances lie.
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MYSTERIOUS WORLDS: Part of the magic of Roald Dahl is that children have to discover new things in order to appreciate the story. In Matilda, the books she reads transport her around the globe where she meets extraordinary people.
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IRREVERENT RUDENESS: Whizz-popping (breaking wind) in front of the Queen of England is unthinkable. Even today this would be considered inconceivable! Children adore outrageous humour like this.

Children who love to read do well

When children find stories they love, it gives them the confidence and motivation to try more challenging books. "If we can raise children with an intrinsic love of reading, it leads to an indelible desire to learn," says Jonathan Douglas from the National Literacy Trust.

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The National Literacy Trust: Children and Young People’s Reading in 2014/OECD Reading for Change

WATCH: George's Marvellous Medicine

Dick and Dom read extracts from their favourite Dahl story, about a young boy called George who "when left alone in the house with his grizzly old grunion of a Grandma, decides to concoct some home-made medicine to cure her of her horribleness."

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Dick and Dom explain why 'George's Marvellous Medicine' by Roald Dahl is their favourite children's book.

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Roald Dahl's BFG (Big Friendly Giant) with Sophie.

Ignite a lasting love of reading

Reading takes us into a world of feelings and ideas – how to face danger, how to have hope, what despair, fear, love, anger, jeopardy and the rest feel like, and much more. Out of this comes wisdom. Dahl’s works are packed with examples of this sort of wisdom and learning.

Language enrichment found in lullabies and nursery rhymes are fundamental to reading. The repetition is key to reinforcing the message.
Drawing encourages reading. Illustrations are a gateway into the world of books.
Read stories aloud with expression which will enthral and engage. Talk to your children – language-rich environments help develop vocabulary.
Discover the type of stories your child loves. Don't expect children to read books that don't appeal to them.
How do you communicate? The way we ask a question and our tone of voice builds a picture and develops children, giving them confidence… or not.
Questions help attitudes to learning. Inspired by The Twits, you could ask your children: "What is the most disgusting thing YOU can think of?"
Enrich their surroundings. Children grab things in their environment, so try to ensure there are always a variety of books available. Don't make reading competitive – children should enjoy it as much as playing a game.

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Hold your breath, make a wish …

Magic recipe

Children who love to read do well

WATCH: George's Marvellous Medicine

Ignite a lasting love of reading

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