Traditionally, Mike would work, and we’d go to the 8th floor of Dayton’s/Marshall Field’s/Macy’s for the holiday display, which for the last 8 years has been “A Day in the Life of an Elf.” Since we couldn’t go this year, and Mike wasn’t working, we opted to go to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre and spent the day finding out more about the life of this author and his many beloved children’s books (e.g., James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Matilda).
We took a 6-minute train ride from Wendover to Great Missendon…and it had nothing to do with ME (Jody) not being a fan of driving on roads not compatible for two cars and parked cars and people having to cross the middle lanes regularly to get anywhere…nope, nothing to do with that…it was just fun to be able to take a 6-minute train ride. 🙂
Anyway, it was a short walk down High Street to the museum. It was WONDERFUL! We all thoroughly enjoyed it! It is so well done and provides so much information in such a fun way that you could walk through multiple times and learn something new each time about him or the stories or about writing in general! There’s just oodles of information! The web site perfectly describes it as “three fun and fact-packed galleries, and over 40 hands-on activities.”
Choosing a book to read…
Reading a little of “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Playing at the stop motion movie making station.
Sitting in a replica of Roald’s chair and using a tray-type table like he did to fill out the activity sheet.
Working on activity sheets right below the “How to Make a Book” info signs.
Making a word rubbing after coming up with a unique, specially imagined word.
Set design from “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” movie shows Mr. Fox using a chair and tray table like Roald Dahl used.
Name these characters…two versions of Slash from GnR? Willy Wonka’s hat? Mr. Twit’s hair? There isn’t a right answer here. 🙂
In addition, there’s a small cafe onsite (Café Twit), where we enjoyed a little lunch. G and L particularly enjoyed their beverages — a Swishwiffler and a Whizzpopper!
Before we conclude this post…here are a couple of fun facts and a favorite quote to share with you:
Fun fact #1: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory started out with 15 naughty children because he had so much fun coming up with naughty children characters. 🙂
Fun fact #2: Roald Dahl was 6’5 3/4″ tall!
Fun fact #3: The 1984 movie “Gremlins” is said to be loosely based on the characters in Roald Dahl’s story The Gremlins, which appeared in an American general interest magazine (under a pen name) in 1942!
Favorite quote: “If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face…like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
Oh, and one more thing. If you’re a Roald Dahl fan (or want to know more about him or his writing), check out the museum web site. It’s not quite the same as being at the museum, but it’s got lots and lots of information and fun stuff on it: http://www.roalddahl.com/museum
Hi Deubers! That looks like a great museum. We love Roald Dahl in our household. AMAZING beverages!!! This ‘home school’ gets better and better! 🙂 Here’s to good thoughts and sunbeams!! xxx
*Duebers.
Apologies!!!!
No worries – my name has been spelled and pronounced MUCH worse than that!
I didn’t know there was such a museum. How cool! Thanks for the mini-tour. The drinks are hilarious.
Just love, love, love travels with the Dueber’s and this blog was so much fun. I feel like I was there. Thanks for all the information, the fun facts and best were the photos. And G and L, thanks for sharing the beverages!!!
Love,
Nana