Happy Deathday, Mr. Dahl!

On this day in 1990, beloved children’s author Roald Dahl died from a blood disease at the age of 74. Apparently, Dahl was buried with his snooker cues, burgundy wine, chocolates, HB pencils and a power saw… we don’t know about you, but we cannot think of a better way to go out.

Mr. Dahl is responsible for some of the most loved children’s books of our time. To name just a few; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The Witches and of course, James and the Giant Peach. Some other titles that we enjoy in his extensive collection of work, include Danny the Champion of the World, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, The Twits  and his 1953 collection of short stories, Someone Like You.

Nobody’s childhood is complete without reading at least one of the aforementioned titles! To find more biographical information on this remarkably talented author and his lasting legacy, please visit his official website!

Pick out one of your favorite Dahl stories today and read it to a youngster… or perhaps seek out someone young of heart to read it with.  Trust us, there’s magic in those pages! We also hope you will take a minute to remember to stop by Roald Dahl’s MARVELOUS CHILDREN’S CHARITY. 

Write on in peace, Mr. Dahl!

Happy Deathday Mr. Nash!

On May 19th in 1971, one of America’s finest lyric writers and poets died of Crohn’s disease at the age of 68. It was once said by the New York Times that Ogden Nash’s “droll verse with its unconventional rhymes made him the country’s best-known producer of humorous poetry”.

While the volume of his work may not be as great as some other epic poets of our time, his contribution to popular culture can certainly not go unnoticed. You may recall this famous line, used in the 1971 film adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”; “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker”. Well, that little gem was written by none other than Mr. Ogden Nash. 

It may interest you all to know that Mr. Nash was a Harvard dropout who, having studied and become frustrated with the style of 18th century Romantic poetry, got his big break when he teamed up two Doubleday coworkers to produce Born in a Beer Garden; or, She Troupes to Conquer, which made fun of classic literature.

Nash was elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and National Institute of Arts and Letters. During the 1950s he wrote more frequently for the children’s market, with such titles as The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus (1957), Custard the Dragon (1959), and a personal favorite, Girls are Silly (1962). He also wrote for television productions of Peter and the Wolf and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Our all time favorite collection by Nash is undoubtedly Hard Lines, his first major work which was published in 1931. If you have never read Nash, we highly suggest you dash out to your local library or check him out online here.

Ogden Nash frequently wrote about his experiences babysitting his grandchildren. Today, pay close attention to the children in your life. Observe them, quote them, dedicate a story or poem to them. If there are no children in you life currently, then we challenge you to spend the day with your inner child.

Write on in peace, Mr. Nash!