The UK-based Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre has opened a new display: Roald Dahl‘s Writing Hut. According to Bucks Free Press, the hut reproduces the space that Dahl used to write.

Here’s more about the exhibit: “The centrepiece of our brand new displays in Solo Gallery is Roald Dahl’s Writing Hut, complete with all its original contents and furnishings. Visitors can see the ‘little nest’ as Roald Dahl called it, exactly as he had it set up, with all the extraordinary and fascinating objects he kept at hand for contemplation and inspiration.”

The museum added several new interactive exhibits surrounding the Writing Hut including a World War II airplane cockpit, a writing and drawing activity (where players get to pretend they are Dahl and illustrator Quentin Blake) and an ‘Ideas Avery.”

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Next year, Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company will bring Matilda the Musical to Broadway in New York City. According to United Press International, the UK production of the musical “continues to play to sold-out houses.”

Here’s more from UK production’s official site: “Roald Dahl’s much-loved story bursts into life on stage in this brand new musical version by Dennis Kelly and award-winning musician and comedian Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.”

We’ve embedded the show’s trailer above. Dahl published Matilda in 1988 and Quentin Blake illustrated the novel. Since its release, Matilda has spawned a 1996 movie adaptation and a two-part BBC Radio special. Which actress would you cast as the telekinetic genius heroine?

With a few days left in the Month of Letters Challenge, the UK Royal Mail has issued six “gloriumptiously” collectible stamps for Roald Dahl fans.

Here’s more from the description page: “Six of Dahl’s most popular children’s stories feature on the Stamps – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, James & the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Twits and The Witches. As many of Dahl’s best loved stories have been illustrated by Quentin Blake it made perfect sense to use his illustrations for these Stamps.” What is your favorite stamp?

Each stamps contains a pivotal moment in the Dahl stories, from Mr. and Mrs. Twits‘ upside-down escapades to Charlie Bucket‘s golden ticket discovery. Prices for the stamps start at 66 pence (approximately $1.03 USD). A sheet of six sells for £4.66 (approximately $7.30 USD).

Celebrating the memory of a victim of the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has launched its first annual summer reading list. Below, we’ve listed all the books selected by the foundation’s  advisory committee.

The committee includes actor Alec Baldwin, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Reading Rainbow show creator Dr. Twila C. Liggett, literacy expert Dr. Gay Su Pinnell, and children’s authors Stephanie Calmenson and Katie Davis.

Here’s more from the release: “Each selected two of their favorite books – a favorite from their childhood and a second book that has become more relevant in their adulthood – and added an anecdotal line about their selections … The 12 books selected by the committee convey invaluable lessons about hope, loyalty and individuality.”

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Happy National Poetry Month! Roald Dahl‘s prose will soon grace breakfast tables in the UK, but here’s a taste of his poetic side.

We’ve dug up this video of Timothy West and Prunella Scales reading Dahl’s version of Cinderella from his poetry collection, Revolting Rhymes. It also features illustrations by Quentin Blake.

What Dahl quote would you like to see on a cereal box?

Roald Dahl‘s George’s Marvelous Medicine has been transformed into a stage production in London. Dramatist David Wood wrote the script and Phil Clark directed. We’ve embedded the show’s trailer above.

Here’s more from production’s official site: “We present Roald Dahl’s amazing story about a young boy who makes a marvellous new medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But when his grandmother drinks his special new potion, the most incredible things start to happen. And George’s adventure has just begun!”

Dahl published the book in 1981 and Quentin Blake illustrated. Danny, The Champion of the World and Fantastic Mr. Fox have also received the theatrical treatmenent. (Via the Shoreham Herald)

Louise Rennison and Louise Yates have each won a £2,500 Roald Dahl Funny Prize. The humor prize includes two categories: one for books targeting ages 6 and under and the other for books for ages 7 to 14. Interestingly enough, Dahl’s longtime illustrator Quentin Blake made the shortlist for both categories.

Rennison won for her Emily Bronte-spoof, Withering Tights (7 to 14). Yates got it for her canine story, Dog Loves Books (6 and under). The Roald Dahl Funny Prize recognizes authors and illustrators who create children’s books that inspire laughter.

Blake was nominated for Angela Sprocket’s Pockets (6 and under) and the David Walliams book he illustrated, Mr. Stink (7 to 14). Blake has won the 1974 Whitbread Award for Children’s Book and the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Medal.  (Link via The Guardian, photo via Booktrust)