Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Award-winning author by Roald Dahl (author) (UK edition)

Author/Illustrator

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, South Wales on September 13th 1916. His parents were Norwegian, and were called Harald and Sofie. He went to Repton school, in Derbyshire, and left school in 1933.

His first job was in Africa, with the Shell Oil Company. In the second world war he fought as a fighter pilot, and was badly injured when his plane crashed. After the war he worked in America, and soon started writing stories.

His very first children’s book, written in 1943 was called The Gremlins. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the President of the USA liked it so much he was invited to the White House and became friends with the President, Franklin D Roosevelt.

He wrote a number of books and short stories for adults, many of which were televised as the hugely popular Tales of the Unexpected.

But it was as a children’s author that he found greatest fame and satisfaction, saying “I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers…Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful.” Millions of fans around the world agreed and have chuckled and gasped at his amazing stories. His mesmerising stories, written in sizzling, sparkly language, will lead you into adventures you’ll never ever forget!

From 1945 until his death, he lived at Gipsy House, in Buckinghamshire, where he wrote his famous children’s books. He died in hospital in Oxford, on November 23rd, 1990. His books have continued to be read and loved, and have been made into a number of hit films, including Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can even visit the Roald Dahl Museum in the village where Dahl lived for most of his life.

In 2009 the Roald Dahl Funny Prize was established in his memory.

Reviews

1. Natasha
   on 29 January 2013

   amazing

   This book is amazing! roald dahl was the best author ever! its funny, heartwarming and has many unexpected twists.

   5 out of 5

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What kids think

1. emerald234
   on 5 March 2016

   Loved it!

   5 out of 5

2. destroy333
   on 28 March 2015

   One of the best books I have read

   5 out of 5

3. De379
   on 23 November 2014

   Fantastic. Dahl uses his imagination well to create the magical elements in all of his stories. He describes the things inside the chocolate factory like they are actually real things.

   5 out of 5

4. Arsenalfc91
   on 15 November 2014

   amazing!

5. Jessey
   on 15 July 2014

   I love it

   5 out of 5

6. Potterfan7
   on 9 March 2014

   This is one of my favourite book of all times, my favourite character is definitely Grampa Joe!

7. Cheerforevers
   on 9 March 2014

   This is about a boy called Charlie who owns a chocolate factory.

8. Roodieroo
   on 8 March 2014

   I loved. This book it was great

9. bookaholic202
   on 7 March 2014

   I love how the author makes you imagine the chocolate factory and the poems about the really horrible kids.

10. harper01
    on 7 March 2014

    I think this book is great, my mum read it to me a bedtimes and its really well written its so good that you can imagine every bit of it from the magical factory to the umpa lompas to the amazing sweets, I didn’t like the film but I love this book

    5 out of 5

11. MaddieandMillie
    on 7 March 2014

    This book was good fun to read. Roald Dahl is the best ever!

    5 out of 5

12. AngelofDeath
    on 7 March 2014

    An awesome book. Made my mouth water when i read about all those chocolates.

13. Rumaitha12
    on 6 March 2014

    I love this book so much probably read it like a thousand times and never got bored of it.

14. Sushi21
    on 6 March 2014

    We read this at school and also watched the DVD. I liked the part when Charlie found the ticket in his bar.

    4 out of 5

15. Spidergirl
    on 6 March 2014

    Book is all about a poor boy winning a ticket to the chocolate factory Very exciting book have a read yourself

    5 out of 5

16. lilliepad1502
    on 5 March 2014

    LIKED IT!

17. rslnkrmt2552
    on 5 March 2014

    a very good book teaching us to follow our heart and not the society… like Steve Jobs said, ” There is no reason not to follow your heart”.

18. aquamarinebamboo
    on 1 January 2014

    Best book ever! I loved this book! It’s really creative and descriptive and imaginative!

    4 out of 5

19. girlygirl1
    on 23 December 2013

    This book is really really good!I keep reading it again and again!!!!!!

20. Princess-Strawberry
    on 30 September 2013

    So amazed with the ideas Roald Dahl had:-)

    5 out of 5

21. Sean1
    on 14 July 2013

    I loved it I live in books

    5 out of 5

22. Girlblackish
    on 25 June 2013

    It’s awesome i watched the movie Johnny dep played willy wonka and as an Arabic girl I recommend it to u all

    5 out of 5

23. atchayagold
    on 12 June 2013

    i think this book is really good because i like the story

24. TacoFace338
    on 21 April 2013

    Charlie and the Chocolate factory is a great story. I thought it was a great book for children 8-9. I encourage you to read it.

    4 out of 5

25. sophiepusskiss
    on 11 April 2013

    Liked it, funny :)

    5 out of 5

26. Bear10
    on 26 March 2013

    I love this book because its about chocolate and I love chocolate this is a must read

    5 out of 5

27. Mills8
    on 25 March 2013

    This is a good story I like it

28. fluffy07
    on 15 March 2013

    I loved it

29. CookieM
    on 9 March 2013

    I love this book, charlie gets a golden ticket and goes with his Grandpa to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and sees some amazing chocolate being made and some funny things happen to the other ticket holders.The ending is a happy one :)

    5 out of 5

30. bouncybunny
    on 8 March 2013

    This book is so good everyone I know has read this book and watched the film the book is so better than the movie although there isn’t that mich of a differance this book is super fun to read

31. queenie13
    on 8 March 2013

    love this book

    5 out of 5

32. samcharlie123
    on 7 March 2013

    Charlie and the chocolate factory is great! I love the funny bits!

    5 out of 5

33. Helloioioi
    on 6 March 2013

    I love this book and guess what, my favorite auther writes it. My favourite part of the book is when Charlie gets the last golden ticket.

34. pawprint2
    on 5 March 2013

    This is my favorite longish book by roald Dahl

    5 out of 5

35. ninjastickman
    on 5 March 2013

    This book about the 5 golden tickets of wonka’s factory is great!

    5 out of 5

36. jaffreen123
    on 5 March 2013

    ever tried 3 course meal buuble gume? or maybe youve tried hair tofee? well why ot check out this book? garantied youll be satisfied!!

37. lap312i
    on 5 March 2013

    you should read it

38. Paradise56
    on 5 March 2013

    Charlie and the chocolate factory is a wonderful story There are lots of twists in the story and different adventures It really makes u feel as if your in the story And makes u wish there really was a golden ticket

39. powerpush22
    on 4 March 2013

    I am so inspired that I am going to school as an oompa loompa on world book day.

40. sunnyrainbow123
    on 4 March 2013

    GREAT BOOK TO READ IN SCHOOL WITH THE WHOLE OF YOUR CLASS ITS WHAT I DID AND EVERYONE LOVED IT. RATE:9/10 RECOMMEND:ALL AGES

41. Sherlock25
    on 4 March 2013

    A great book which will keep you wanting more, it makes you feel as if you are actually there, chocolate making your mouth water, a truly magical book

42. natashakrywald
    on 4 March 2013

    very good, love the film to

    5 out of 5

43. lmdrld
    on 4 March 2013

    This is about a boy called Charlie who finds a golden ticket and gets taken on a tour in mr willy wonks chocolate factory.

44. catlover96
    on 4 March 2013

    I really like this book! It is very funny, and really creative. It is one of Roald Dahl’s greatest books.

45. sania123456
    on 17 February 2013

    i lived charlie and the chocolate factory specially when charlie finds the 5th golden ticket, and when charlie and grandpa Joe visit the chocolate factory and the other 4 kids have problems with them.

    5 out of 5

46. km96623
    on 29 January 2013

    Absolutely fantastic! A terrific read for anybody and everybody!

    5 out of 5

47. TwilightTeamEdward
    on 27 January 2013

    I love this book.

48. Emster123
    on 11 January 2013

    I love this book!!!!! Roald Dahl, as always, has done an amazing job writing this and come up with the idea for tis book. This book is an funny, mouth watering, adventure that leaves you in owe of the made up characters and their lives! Please read if you haven’t!! Xx

49. cherice
    on 23 November 2012

    I loved all the discrption in Charlie and the chocolate factory it is an AMAZING book … I recomend this book for children who Love SWEETS …

    4 out of 5

50. ivy-vega207
    on 17 November 2012

    It was good, not my favourite Roal Dahl book though. :)

    4 out of 5

51. Elsiebells
    on 1 November 2012

    it was the best book ever

52. Cayty
    on 16 September 2012

    I love this book great details. Once I read it I couldn’t put the book down and forgot about my homework.Lol.😄😄😄😄

    5 out of 5

53. kicky105
    on 6 March 2012

    This is wonderful, When Charlie first wins his ticket he has no idea that Willy Wonka wants to be so generous! It is lovely to see Charlie be so straight forward and honest until the bubbles overtake him! Very good, funny book and I loved the Oompahloompahs!

54. salimisra
    on 5 March 2012

    i think this is a great book and the film is as great as the book and i really think that the boy deserves to win the game and im glad that he did

    5 out of 5

55. smileitsfriday
    on 5 March 2012

    I read this then watched the movie! All the kids go in really awful ways… * * * *

56. migit1
    on 4 March 2012

    this book is reconised as a classic and i think it is the most well known book ever!

57. nikki657
    on 3 March 2012

    i love this book its so good

58. la1397
    on 2 March 2012

    Charlie and the chocolate factory is brilliant, pure brilliant. Roald Dahl tells the story so well, that in some parts its hillarious, and some parts you want to be living in the book. All the names of the chocolates were intriguing and sounded delicious, and I liked it alot more than the film, because it was all left to each persons imagination. The illustrations were also a wonderful extra to the pages every now and then :D

    5 out of 5

59. lids
    on 1 March 2012

    OMG ITS SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD I DEFF RECCOMEND IT!!!!!!!!!!

60. Flissy22
    on 1 March 2012

    another great book by roald dahl, this book rely paints a picture in your head.

61. lb12345678909
    on 1 March 2012

    charlies family was a sad family because they were poor but when charlie wins a golden ticket to go to willy wonkas factory his granda takes him. when they have gone round the chocolate factory and its the end of the trip charlies the only child there because the rest of the children have been lost somehow on the way so as a reward for charlie being such a good child willy wonka said he can have the chocolate factory when he be old enough to run his own business. at the end i was so happy for them because they were poor then all of a sudden they could be millionaires because they are going to be runnintg the chocolate factory and will own and be selling their very own chocolate which was once mr. willy wonkas the end! thank you for reading my book review of charlie and the chocolate factory!

    5 out of 5

62. angelslater
    on 1 March 2012

    this is a great book and even better if you read it while eating a bar of chocolate as it can make you very hungry. charlie goes from being very poor to the luckiest boy in the world.

63. darsie
    on 21 January 2012

    VERY GOOD BOOK BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR CHARLIE BECAUSE HE CAN`T GET CHOCOLATE SO AT THE END IT WAS GOOD

64. lemonademouth
    on 11 January 2012

    this book is my class story and we are on chapter 14 willy wonka and i love this book so much!!!!!!!

    5 out of 5

65. Q25WIN
    on 9 January 2012

    it’s nice it is really nice to read cuz’ it is enjoying books to me it is similar to the movie

66. snowy13
    on 28 October 2011

    It is marvellous charlie is the good boy and thanks to mr.willie wonka for being so nice charlie deserves it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

67. lola906
    on 10 September 2011

    oh my days i cant wait what happens next

    5 out of 5

68. flossy1998
    on 19 July 2011

    Watched film its good

69. misskoolkat123
    on 9 June 2011

    this book was afun filled and enterianing book. The film as well.

70. 4everyoung2000
    on 15 May 2011

    This book was a great classic great

    5 out of 5

71. lucy11
    on 10 April 2011

    This bool is OK but I would NEVER read it again.It is deffinitly for young children.

    1 out of 5

72. doctortiffany
    on 14 March 2011

    the best ever i loved it

73. horse36
    on 5 March 2011

    I love this book so, so much. Roald Dahl is my favourite author. He writes his books so well. Lots of children like his books like I do.

74. Devanandh
    on 3 March 2011

    I liked this book I want to know where Roald Daul took thease ideas from.

    4 out of 5

75. Lolo95
    on 1 March 2011

    Great story love Charlie and his Grandad with all the others in the bed!! Oh and the ompaloompas GREAT!!!!

    4 out of 5

76. osnapitzsafa
    on 1 March 2011

    Charlie and the chocolate factory is amazing. Whenever, I pick it up my tummy begins to rumble because I think of all those delicious chocolates and wonka bars. My favourite bit is when Veruca Salt gets sucked down the tube by those squirrrels. My favourite character is Mr. Wonka. I like the oompa-loompas. 5 stars I give to this book.

    5 out of 5

77. jawad786
    on 28 February 2011

    this book is about a boy called chailie, he lives in a smal family. soon he begins to starve. he is always jelous of other kids because they allhave lots of chocolate but he can not afford any. mr wonka a great factory owner had not been seen for ten years but in the news it said five lucky winners wil find some goden tickets, these golden tickets can be fond any shop anywere arround the word. it had also said with them golden tickets you can enter the factory for one day and at the end there will be one winner and that winner will win a prize of a ifetime suply of chocolate.walking back from school one day he finds some money on the floor. he went to a shop nearby and spends the money on two chocolate bars and finds a golden ticket.

    5 out of 5

78. Missymessy
    on 24 February 2011

    This is really, really, really, really, really, really, really cool! All the descriptions of the chocolate, the sweets, the chocolate waterfall! And to add to that there is also an amazing storyline about a boy who finds a golden ticket by complete luck. It is also really funny because it shows all the bad children what they deserve! Love this book and have got the ‘Tim Burton’ film too! Read it!

    5 out of 5

79. fish12
    on 22 January 2011

    I liked this book, because when Augusts Gloop went down the chocolate river and went up the pipe…. and what happened to the other children. I liked Charlie and grandpar Joe the BEST…..

80. CoolioArtic101
    on 5 January 2011

    One of the best storylines ever created! This is an exeptional book, full of creativity and jokes. My faveourite Character was Agustus Gloop.I loved the song in the movie when he got sucked up into that big chocolate thing. If only sweet factories made candy like Willy Wonka does!

81. rachellen1
    on 5 December 2010

    I thought this book was very good and I give it ten out of ten!!!

82. chestnuthorse1999
    on 20 September 2010

    This book is seriously awesome! I’ve seen the film and read the book 1,000 times. This is the book I could read all the time!

    5 out of 5

83. rose19
    on 27 August 2010

    i loved this book it was very intresting it is kind o like the movie but a bit different overall it was a very nice book and i would recommend everybody to read it

84. Bookfan57
    on 18 July 2010

    I liked this book becuase it is interesting. Its is enjoyable its has songs, pictures and alot of the funny bits from the movie that I watched. I recommend this book to the age of 9 – 14 ( I’m only 12 ) I hope you all have as much fun reading this book as I did! :)

    5 out of 5

85. Tinkmaloo
    on 14 July 2010

    I had seen the movie before I read book.Then one day my teacher said she was going to read it to my class.When she started reading I knew I wanted to read it for myself.When I finished reading I was sure that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was the best book I had ever read, because of the way Roald Dahl makes his stories funny and how he makes up new words and sweets.

86. ilovebookz-97
    on 1 May 2010

    i ♥ this book and the film is amazing 2

    5 out of 5

87. Remi
    on 11 March 2010

    It’s excellent but some of it is boring but all the other parts are brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

88. Loony
    on 7 March 2010

    Charlie And The The Chocolate Factory Plainly about luck but you have to read it to find out.

89. jackman2k10
    on 27 February 2010

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great book about a nine year old boy called Charlie. He is very poor and one day he hears about Mr. Willy Wonka and his closed chocolate factory. One day, he hears about golden tickets hidden in chocolate bars. Augustus Gloop, Verucca Salt, Violet Bauregarde and Mike Teavee find the tickets first and Charlie finds one. He goes on the adventure of a life time.

    Have you read this? Then read Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (The Follow – On)

    5 out of 5

90. molru
    on 16 February 2010

    This has to be Roald Dahls BEST book. Although Jonny Depp mad ethe film excellent the book is MUCH better.

    5 out of 5

91. sweetie10188699291
    on 23 January 2010

    I read the book way before i ever watched the whole film. I used to only watch little bits of it but i find the book better than the film!

    5 out of 5

92. COOL2000
    on 6 January 2010

    I actually watched the movie before i read this fantastic book!i have watched both versions old and new but i thought the book was better because i could actually imagine whats going on i was just waiting what was going to happen next read this book to find out (FANTASTIC BOOK!!!!!)

    5 out of 5

93. saf234
    on 8 August 2009

    When i had read the book of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory i realy enjoyed it . would recomen it.

    5 out of 5

94. Lollipopgirl
    on 3 July 2009

    I once read it before but I saw it in my school’s libary and thought that’s for me!

    5 out of 5

95. cookie4
    on 22 June 2009

    Cool, I like the way that everyone gets knocked out at different bits of the chocolate factory.

    3 out of 5

96. J-Q-A-F
    on 11 June 2009

    It is one of the best Roald Dahl books that i have read.It is funny to read aswell

    5 out of 5

97. lidl
    on 5 March 2009

    brilliant book read it 4 times

    shdgadhedlweairdewgourewg

    5 out of 5

98. maffie
    on 30 January 2009

    This is a very good and funny book.

    I wish i could go to that AMAZING factory!!

    5 out of 5

99. taz13
    on 13 December 2008

    i loved this book a lot and when you read it the decription makes it feel as if you are actually there its like you can almost smell the chocolate and taste it too i suggest that if you haven’t already read this then you should

    5 out of 5

100. wormy01
     on 21 September 2008

     I think charlie and the chocolate factory is a great book for children especially the movie!!!!!

     4 out of 5

101. keeboy
     on 20 September 2008

     read tis book

     4 out of 5

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