Roald Dahl's Grandson Writes Us a Letter!

Luke Kelly sends us a letter congratulating us on our amazing Book Week entries

During Book Week we were very lucky to have Luke Kelly (Roald Dahl's grandson) send us a video encouraging the children to be creative.  As you may have seen on our post about Book Week, the children had lots of fun learning about Roald Dahl and his books. 

The teachers picked a winner from each year group and these were then given to Luke who decided that he also wanted to pick a few winners and give some prizes. 

The winners are photographed below with their Roald Dahl bag of goodies flown all the way from the UK.

Luke also wrote them a letter telling them why he chose their pieces and included a funny poem that his grandfather (Roald Dahl) would have written:

From far and near, from near and far

Your letters come.  How kind you are!

I cannot, as I’m sure you know,

Write back to all of you, and so

Instead I send (and that’s what this is)

Lots and lots of love and kisses.

Here is an excerpt from his letter:

Dear all,

Thank you so much for sending me your submissions! l enjoyed reading them very much, and can tell that you all love my grandfather Roald Dahl's stories just as much as l do. It was so wonderful to see so much creativity – not only excellent story writing, but pictures and poems too– and know that Roald would have been very proud to see the ways that his stories inspired such fantastic pieces of work. 

A particularly big well done to all the finalists- it must have been hard for your teachers to choose. l was so impressed by all the entries that it was very difficult to pick my favourite three. However, these difficult choices must sometimes be made. My three winners are (in no particular order): 

• No 5 - Vihaan, I love the way you've thought outside the box and created a book jacket, and the BFG's ears are just as Roald described them. You've used the text to inspire your colourful and eye-catching drawing, and your blurb on the back creates suspense, making me want to read on.
• No 8 - Wow Yusuf! What great rhythm you use in your poem. I like your use of strong rhyme, and it summarises the story effectively. A very enjoyable poem to read.
• No 7 - A clever use of different poetic structures here, Jiah. You use two different forms to pick up the pace toward the end, and use some very nice literary techniques here. You've clearly been paying attention in your literature lessons. Very well done!

l am so glad that you all enjoyed your celebrations this week. It is truly wondercrump to see the way that children like you continue to keep Roald Dahl's stories alive. I hope that you will continue to read and write and enjoy books, for after all, there aren't many things that are quite as important for developing your imagination. A huge well done to everyone who took part, and I look forward from hearing from you all in the future.

Best wishes, 

Luke Kelly 
(On behalf of the whole Dahl family) 

Thank you to Luke Kelly and the Roald Dahl company.  We really appreciate the effort they have put into encouraging us to be creative. 

Miss Anna Vessey
Year 2 Class Teacher