It's Roald Dahl Day today and we are excited to reveal that a unique LEGO® brick build of Charlie, good-hearted hero of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is on display at Manchester Central Library, as part of the Read Manchester campaign.
There are six favourite Roald Dahl child heroes appearing in different locations across the UK to mark Roald Dahl Day - the
global celebration of the world’s number one storyteller on his birthday.
The LEGO® build of Charlie was officially unveiled today – Wednesday 13 September. He is composed of 8,960 bricks and took 53 hours to construct. Manchester Central Library is also home to
two Roald Dahl-themed BookBenches, which were created by local children as part
of the Read Manchester BookBench trail.
Local
families who attended the family fun day at Central Library on Sunday 10
September were the first to catch a special sneak preview of Charlie before the
official unveiling.
As part of
the Roald Dahl Day celebrations, 20 pupils who decorated a BookBench inspired
by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
will receive a personalised copy of My
Golden Ticket, which has been created by publisher Wonderbly in
collaboration with the Roald Dahl Literary Estate. The children from Oswald
Road Primary School will become the hero of their very own chocolate factory
adventure, with copies presented to some of them at the library
The six
Roald Dahl character brick builds have been created by Duncan Titmarsh - the
UK’s only certified LEGO® professional builder - and his team at the Bright
Bricks workshop in Bordon, Hampshire.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member (Schools,
Culture & Leisure), Manchester City Council, said:
"We're very
much looking forward to having Charlie Bucket here in Manchester Central
Library. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the most popular
children's books ever, and children will be pleased to know they don't need a
golden ticket to come along to the library to see him for themselves. I've already had a sneak peek and he looks
amazing. Come along, have a look, borrow
a copy of the book if you haven't read it yet, or grab yourself another good
read whilst you're here if you have time."
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National
Literacy Trust said:
“After the
success of the Read Manchester BookBench trail this summer, we so pleased to
build on the buzz around reading cross the city by giving families the chance
to enjoy this unique Charlie LEGO® brick build in Manchester. Roald Dahl’s
brilliant stories have inspired children to enjoy reading for decades and for
many Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
is the most iconic of them all.”
Bernie Hall from Roald Dahl’s Literary Estate said:
“We are so thrilled that Charlie will be
making his way to Manchester Central Library. It’s the perfect location for him,
especially with the inspiring activity around the Read Manchester campaign, and
a brilliant way to celebrate CHARLIE and all Roald Dahl’s amazing child heroes
this Roald Dahl Day.”
Charlie will remain at Manchester Central Library for two months and visitors are encouraged to share their pictures using #LegoCharlie, #RoaldDahlDay and #ReadMCR on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.