"IF you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl.

James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, do any of these sound at all familiar to you?

If so, you may unknowingly be a fan of the fantastic and creative Roald Dahl.

Today celebrates this creative master and all of the work he's done bringing stories of fiction and wonder to children everywhere through the Roald Dahl Marvellous Children's Charity.

Well-known south Cumbrian author, Gill Jepson never used to read the books as a child but remembers reading them with her children.

She said: "They bring out the humour and also have a bit of shock value.

"He tackles real life problems in a matter of fact way. The books are attractive to children because of the exaggerated characters and the magic thrown in amongst ordinary events."

Mrs Jepson's favourite book of Roald Dahl's is Matilda. As a teacher, it made her laugh because of the school references.

She said: "Dahl promoted imagination and opened up children's literature as never before.

"His tales are usually very moral but he approaches them in a humorous and irreverent way which children can connect with - even the reluctant readers enjoy his books.

"My grandson has just brought home The Twits and loves it. Even though its difficult he is persevering so he can read the story."

Here is a list of some of Roald Dahl's most famous books. How many of these have you read?

James and the Giant Peach

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Magic Finger

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Danny, the Champion of the World

The Enormous Crocodile

The Twits

George's Marvellous Medicine

The BFG

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Matilda

Esio Trot

If you're not a lover of reading, you may still be a big Roald Dahl fan as some of his books have been made into films.

Here is a list:

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The BFG

Matilda

The Witches

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

James and the Giant Peach

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Danny, the Champion of the World

Esio Trot.

Not without his controversy:

Kathryn Flagner, Community Services Manager for local libraries, said: "My two favourites are probably The Witches and Matilda.

"Although some parents have long objected to him, I once worked in an authority where a parent wanted Revolting Rhymes withdrawn from stock because of the line 'She draws the pistol from her knickers'.

"Children love the sense of anarchy and danger encountered in the books.

"The worlds he creates are inhabited by adults who aren't to be trusted, even Willy Wonker is not the totally lovable character he is shown as in film.

"There is almost an element of horror to the books, but this is off set by the humour and comedic aspect of the stories."

Have a go at our quiz to see how well you know the Roald Dahl stories.

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