Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
The BFG first appeared in another of Dahl’s books, Danny and the Champion of the World, published in 1975. He was part of a story Danny’s dad told him, which included his dream-mixing abilities and supersonic hearing. (Source)
The main character was named after Roald Dahl’s granddaughter, Sophie, who had similar glasses. She is now a model, actress, and cookbook writer. Talented family, huh? (Source)
In 1982, the year this book was first published, someone actually did break into the real Queen of England’s bedroom. (Don’t worry—they both came out of the whole thing unscratched. And there were no giants involved.) (Source)
Roald Dahl language, or the words that the BFG and the giants used, are known among Dahl fans as “gobblefunk.” Perfect, right? Or should we say, fecklepert? (Source)
Roald Dahl dedicated The BFG to his daughter Olivia, who died of measles encephalitis when she was seven. After that, Dahl was an outspoken advocate of the measles vaccine. If only he’d had a giant to help, the advocacy would have been off the charts. (Source)