Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Itand#8217;s a tentacled, inventive, gooey, world in there. . . .

Elliot Von Doppler and his friend Leslie think nothing ever happens in Bickleburgh, except inside the gleaming headquarters of DENKi-3000and#151;the worldand#8217;s eighth-largest electronics factory.

and#160;

Beneath the glass towers and glittering skywalks, there's a rambling old mansion from which all the companyand#8217;s amazing inventions spring forth.and#160;And no one except Uncle Archie knows whatand#8217;s behind the second-to-last door at the end of the hall.

Until Elliot and Leslie are invited to take a glimpse inside.

They find stooped, troll-like creatures with jutting jaws and broken teeth. Tiny winged things that sparkle as they fly. And huge, hulking, hairy nonhumans (with horns). It is unlike anything theyand#8217;ve ever seen.

But when Chuck Brickweather threatens to shut down the DENKi-3000 factory if a new product isnand#8217;t presented soon, the creatures know they are in danger. And when Uncle Archie vanishes, itand#8217;s up to Elliot, Leslie, and every one of the unusual, er, and#147;employeesand#8221; to create an invention so astonishing it will save the Creature Department.

The gates of Willy Wonkas chocolate factory are opening at last . . . and only five children will be allowed inside.

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Wales of Norwegian parents. He spent his childhood in England and, at age eighteen, went to work for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. When World War II broke out, he joined the Royal Air Force and became a fighter pilot. At the age of twenty-six he moved to Washington, D.C., and it was there he began to write. His first short story, which recounted his adventures in the war, was bought by The Saturday Evening Post, and so began a long and illustrious career.

After establishing himself as a writer for adults, Roald Dahl began writing childrens stories in 1960 while living in England with his family. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.

Roald Dahl is now considered one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. Although he passed away in 1990, his popularity continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of fans.

Learn more about Roald Dahl on the official Roald Dahl Web site: www.roalddahl.com

Quentin Blake is a well-known artist whose work has made him popular on both sides of the Atlantic. He has illustrated most of Roald Dahls childrens books as well as many others. He lives in London, where he teaches illustration at the Royal College of Art.