Roald's Dahl-ights

 

Not only are the practical jokes the couple play on each other incredibly amusing for children and adults alike (worm spaghetti and "the shrinks" to name but a few), the book also conveys a strong message which has never left me - that if you think evil and spiteful thoughts you become ugly on the outside but 'if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely'.

Kay Devine, Head of Sales and Programme Support: One of my favourite, abiding memories of sharing books with my sons was reading the unparalleled The Twits to my son who was about seven at the time.  He adored all Dahl books but The Twits was his favourite - possibly due to the reaction from me!  Reaching the bit when Mr Twit's unusual beard is described, I would pull faces, barely able to read the horrible description and he would be howling with laughter, rolling around the bed shouting 'more, Mummy, more horrible bits, it's so funny…'  I would feel sick with thoughts of the gruesome beard and he would often get hiccups from laughter.  We usually followed a reading of The Twits with something more sedate to allow us both to recover - but without doubt The Twits was a regular request with no diminishing of the ensuing hilarity!

Kelly Archer, Marketing Sales Campaigns Coordinator: I must have read all Roald Dahl's books as a child. I especially loved the made-up words like gobblefunk and the adult-defying rudeness.  My favourite Dahl memory is taking Revolting Rhymes along to my Brownie Group and annoying Brown Owl by reading out the line 'The small girl smiles, one eyelid flickers. She whips a pistol from her knickers...'!  That still makes me smile.