The Magic Finger

Roald Dahl is a celebrated and influential author of children’s literature, known for his magical stories, subtle political and social commentary, and characters who are flawed and mischievous. Dahl was born in Wales in 1916, and before becoming a writer, he was a World War II fighter pilot. With the publication of his first children’s book, The Gremlins, in 1943, Dahl began a long and successful career as an author, writing books that continue to resonate since their publication more than half a century ago. Some of his most well-known titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, and The Witches, many of which have been adapted into films. His stories are filled with imagination and humor, and though they often lean toward the darker side of life, they retain a lighthearted feel. Dahl’s books teach important lessons about kindness, fairness, and standing up for what’s right through stories about and for children. Before Dahl, children’s stories were often deeply serious and highly moralistic, and while his stories still contain important lessons, they do so in a less direct and more natural way.