Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Story

Charlie Bucket, his parents, and his grandparents live in a tiny house and share one bed between them. All they can afford to eat is cabbage soup. But when the mysterious Willy Wonka announces that five lucky children will be welcomed inside his amazing chocolate factory, Charlie dreams of sugary salvation – if only he can find a golden ticket.

Why we chose it

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the most popular stories with visitors to the museum, particularly children who frequently ask for a chocolate room.

Where it came from

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a British writer, inventor, fighter pilot, and chocolate historian. At school, he and his friends acted as ‘taste testers’ for new Cadbury’s chocolates. Dahl would dream of inventing a new sweet treat to impress Mr. Cadbury. These fantasies inspired Dahl to write Charlie’s chocolatey tale.

Where it went next

The book has been a bestseller since first publication and has won numerous awards. It inspired the name for the Willy Wonka Candy Company and, in 2006, author J.K. Rowling named the book in her top ten stories every child should read. Two movie adaptations, directed by Mel Stuart (1971) and Tim Burton (2005), have been produced and it is being included in a Netflix TV series. There have also been several stage adaptations, including an opera and a West-end musical.

Associated stories

The book’s sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, was published in 1972. Other stories by Dahl include James and the Giant Peach (1961), The BFG (1982), and Matilda (1988).