Tuesday, September 1, 2009

September is Roald Dahl Month

Did you know that September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday and officially Roald Dahl Day? I had no idea until I received a package from Penguin Young Readers Group that was full of information about Mr. Dahl and his books, but I think it's a wonderful idea! I have fond memories of reading CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and CHARLIE AND THE GREAT GLASS ELEVATOR when I was a child, and my daughter has enjoyed JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and MATILDA in recent years. I think parents and kids both agree that his books are so entertaining and allow us to use our imaginations!

I admit that I didn't know a lot about Mr. Dahl; but after reviewing the materials I received about him, I was just amazed by how the number of books he wrote. I guess that's why the celebration is actually going on for the entire month of September instead of just one day!

To help you celebrate, there is a Complete Roald Dahl Day Kit and everything in it is free to download. They've thought of everything that you might need to organize Roald Dahl activities and celebrations for a day or a year including:

Classroom activities
: ideas, lesson plans and worksheets for classroom-based activities.

Event tool kits
: all the extra materials available to run Roald Dahl-themed events.

Schools' ideas: the best ideas from schools themselves.

There is also a great Roald Day calendar that contains terrific ideas for activities and crafts inspired by some of his most memorable books and characters. I sincerely hope that parents and teachers alike will be able to incorporate these ideas because they sound like loads of fun!

If you are interested in learning more about Roald Dahl, you must check out this amazing website which is devoted to all things Roald Dahl! It's has lots of great graphics as well as a bio of Mr. Dahl and a complete listing of his works.

And last, but certainly not least: Penguin Young Readers Group is holding a Golden Ticket Sweepstakes! If you are lucky enough to win the grand prize, you will receive a private hometown screening of the new movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox." In addition, you will win a prize pack of movie promotional items, a signed movie poster, and a library of Roald Dahl books and DVDs. You can print out your very own sweepstakes form via a link at www.roalddahl.com.

8 comments:

Mrs. G.I. Joe said...

Thanks for posting this! I just love all his books. They were favorites as a kid. My Lucy's birthday is only 10 days after his! I see great birthday party themes in her future from his books :)

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Thanks for the links - these are great!

Jen - Devourer of Books said...

He was one of my FAVORITES when I was younger, I can't wait to read him to Daniel.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for pointing this out.

bermudaonion said...

When we were in France, my dad taped the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and mailed it to Vance. Vance and all the other kids were enthralled with the movie and just about wore the tape out. Vance was hooked on Roald Dahl and his work after that.

Jessica (The Bluestocking Society) said...

I love Roald Dahl - both his kids stuff and his adult stuff. Thanks for making me aware of Roald Dahl month!

Brimful Curiosities said...

How fun! Thanks for all the info.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

I didn't know about Roald Dahl month ... thanks for sharing. I love his books; all the kids books and I have a book of his short stories (for adults)

I'll check out the links (and let my kids know about the Golden Ticket sweepstakes ... wouldn't that be a win!)