Friday, September 14, 2012

Roald Dahl's Top 10 characters: by Michael Rosen


Michael Rosen, the former Children's Laureate and biographer of Roald Dahl, chooses his top 10 Dahl characters, from the BFG to Bruce Bogtrotter.

The Twits by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

 
The Twits by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake Photo: Quentin Blake
• Mr Fox from Fantastic Mr Fox
Mr Fox is a real hero, the kind of character I always wanted to read about when I was a boy, someone who can get out of every scrape, no matter how dangerous or scary and who comes out on top. I also love the way that he keeps reassuring the family that it'll all be fine, even when he's probably not so sure himself.
• Danny from Danny Champion of the World
People often think that Roald Dahl only wrote about horrible people or people who do horrible things to each other. Danny and his father really love each other and a boy and his dad like that in children's books is pretty rare. I like the way Danny tells us what he likes about his Dad, especially that his Dad was 'sparky'.


• The Pig from Dirty Beasts
Clever and wicked! The pig in this rhyme is a typical Dahl character, an underdog who solves his or her problem in a peculiar, funny or horrible way. I particularly like the way the pig has to do some figuring about 'What LIFE was really all about'.


• Mrs Twit from The Twits
How can you like the Twits? They are disgusting, awful, selfish people and yet there's something weirdly lovable about them. I think Roald Dahl knew very well that if you exaggerate a part of people's characters you end up with something we find funny. The scene when Mrs Twit tricks Mr Twit into eating worms with his spaghetti is really good. And then she tells him that's what he's just eaten!

Read the full list at The Telegraph


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