“Mr. Wonka: "Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted."
Charlie Bucket: "What happened?"
Mr. Wonka: "He lived happily ever after.” —Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Let’s talk about chocolate. Have you heard what Cadbury’s got goin on in the delicious U.K.? In true Willy Wonka fashion, the company has included select white Cadbury Crème Eggs amid the traditional milk chocolate distribution. One lucky winner, Natasha Bream, just scored 1,000 pounds because she happened to buy 1 of 34 possible eggs of the light variety.  Lucky Natasha—I wonder if she feels a little bit like Charlie Bucket? 

Let's talk about Charlie Bucket. He, like all Roald Dahl characters, is memorable. Charlie’s endearing, especially when you compare him to kids like Veruca Salt and Augustus Gloop. He’s definitely unassuming. And unlike his counterparts, he doesn’t succumb to childhood temptations. Charlie’s temperance, humbleness, and kindness are all additives for a good-hearted boy—makes you root for him to win a lifelong supply of Wonka’s scrumdiddlyumptious creations. Reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes me wish I could climb into Roald Dahl’s brain—surely I’d find more “oddball fantasies” inside his magical head, complete with undeniable wit and laugh-out-loud humor fit for children and adults alike. For me, reading Roald Dahl is part of a functional childhood. Be honest, what kid doesn’t love a story about chocolate? 

Or the chance to meet Oompa Loompas?

Posted by Tracy