Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl & the Inspiration Behind Books for Benjamin
Sometimes the stories we love as children stay with us for a lifetime. And sometimes, without even realizing it, they find their way into the stories we create ourselves.
There are certain films that instantly transport us back to childhood. For me, the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), starring the unforgettable Gene Wilder, is one of those films.
I grew up watching this version of Willy Wonka again and again, never tiring of the golden tickets, the chocolate river, the Oompa Loompas, or the wonderfully mysterious man who invited five lucky children into his extraordinary chocolate factory. Years later, I watched the same film with my own daughters. And as a teacher, I shared it with the children in my classes over the years.
There's something magical about watching a story you loved as a child come alive again through the eyes of another generation. So when I learned that the Library of Congress was celebrating the 55th anniversary of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, I was delighted.
Unfortunately, I didn't manage to share the news before the October 26, 2026, celebration took place. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this anniversary had a rather wonderful connection to my own journey as a children's author. And it all comes back to books, libraries, Roald Dahl, and a little bookworm named Benjamin.
Celebrating 55 Years of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
On October 26, 2026, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., hosted a special celebration honoring 55 years of the beloved film. The event brought together original cast members, including Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), and Rusty Goffe (an Oompa Loompa), along with screenwriter David Seltzer.
The celebration also featured music from the film and a display of rare materials from the Library's collections, including manuscripts connected to the unforgettable songs Pure Imagination and The Candy Man. The film was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2014, recognizing its lasting cultural and historical importance.
Although I live too far away to have attended the anniversary event, and unfortunately it wasn't livestreamed, I can still celebrate in my own way. I plan to revisit the original film on my Apple TV, perhaps with a little chocolate nearby! After all, you don't need a golden ticket to enjoy a little pure imagination.
You can read more about the celebration in the official Library of Congress announcement.
Why Gene Wilder Will Always Be My Willy Wonka
There have been other versions of Willy Wonka over the years, but for me, Gene Wilder will always be the one. His performance was a wonderful mixture of humor, mystery, eccentricity, and just a little mischief. You never quite knew what he was thinking or what extraordinary invention might appear next. And who could forget the music?
Even today, hearing Pure Imagination brings back memories of childhood.
But beyond the colorful sweets, fantastical inventions, and unforgettable characters, there was something else that stayed with me.
The story was about kindness, honesty, choices, consequences, and the importance of having a good heart. Charlie Bucket didn't have much in the way of material possessions, but he had something far more valuable. And perhaps that's one of the reasons this story has remained so special to me, both as a father and as a teacher.
My Love of Roald Dahl and the Magic of Reading
Of course, my love of Willy Wonka didn't begin and end with the movie.
I grew up loving Roald Dahl's books. His stories were filled with extraordinary characters, unexpected adventures, mischievous humor, and worlds where almost anything seemed possible. From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to James and the Giant Peach, his imagination knew no bounds. I loved the way his books could take something ordinary and turn it into something wonderfully extraordinary. A peach could become an enormous vessel for adventure. A chocolate factory could become a world of impossible inventions.
And a child with curiosity, courage, and imagination could find themselves at the center of the most remarkable story.
Looking back, I realize how much those books influenced my own love of storytelling.
In fact, when I began writing my first children's story, I couldn't resist including a few little nods to the books that had captured my imagination all those years ago. One of my favorite lines from Books for Benjamin describes a little bookworm who loves reading about adventures in a giant peach more than eating one! A little tribute to James and the Giant Peach, tucked into my own story. I wonder how many readers will spot it! One of my former students wrote a review of my book and discovered it. He called it an "Easter egg!"
A Little Bookworm Named Benjamin — and the Inspiration Behind His Name
When I created my little bookworm, Benjamin, I wanted his name to have a special meaning. I chose Benjamin after Benjamin Franklin, a man whose curiosity, love of learning, knowledge of languages, and determination to pursue his ideas have always fascinated me. Franklin was a printer, writer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and lifelong learner.
But what I particularly admire is his connection to books and libraries. In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and members of his Junto discussion group established the Library Company of Philadelphia, one of America's earliest and most influential lending libraries. At a time when books were expensive and not readily available to everyone, Franklin recognized the value of people pooling their resources so that more individuals could have access to knowledge.
That idea — that books and learning should be shared — is something I find especially meaningful. And it made Benjamin seem like the perfect name for a little bookworm who loves reading and discovering new worlds through books. After all, what better namesake could a book-loving character have?
A Wonderful Coincidence: The Library of Congress and Books for Benjamin
Here's where the story comes full circle. When I discovered that the Library of Congress was hosting the Willy Wonka anniversary celebration, I couldn't help smiling. The Library of Congress actually features in my own children's book, Books for Benjamin!
What a wonderful coincidence. A place that celebrates books, preserves stories, and protects our literary and cultural heritage was now celebrating a film inspired by one of my favorite childhood authors. And that very same institution had already found its way into my own story about a little bookworm who loves reading. It felt like a lovely connection between the stories I grew up with and the story I eventually wrote myself. I hadn't planned for all these connections to come together quite like this. But perhaps that's part of the magic of books.
The stories we read as children don't simply disappear when we grow older. They stay tucked away in our imaginations, quietly influencing the way we see the world.
And sometimes they reappear years later in the most unexpected places.
From Childhood Reader to Teacher, Father, and Children's Author
As a teacher, I always loved sharing stories with children. There's nothing quite like seeing a child's face light up when a story captures their imagination. As a father, I enjoyed revisiting childhood favorites with my daughters and discovering those familiar stories all over again through their eyes.
And now, as a children's author, I have the pleasure of creating stories of my own.
That's one of the reasons Books for Benjamin means so much to me.
It's a story inspired by my love of books, libraries, imagination, and the belief that reading can take us anywhere. A child doesn't need to travel to distant lands to experience an adventure. Sometimes all they need is a book. And a little imagination.
If you'd like to meet Benjamin and discover his story, you can explore Books for Benjamin here. And while you're reading, perhaps you'll discover a few more hidden literary references along the way!
Why Stories Like Willy Wonka Still Matter
Fifty-five years after the release of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the film continues to delight new generations. And Roald Dahl's imaginative stories continue to introduce children to extraordinary worlds, unusual characters, and unforgettable adventures. For me, the real magic lies in the connections these stories create.
Between parents and children.
Between teachers and students.
Between books and their readers.
And sometimes, between the stories we loved growing up and the stories we eventually write ourselves.
I may have missed the Library of Congress anniversary celebration, but the occasion has given me something just as valuable: a chance to reflect on how much these stories have meant to me throughout my life. From watching Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka when I was young, to sharing the film with my daughters and students, to creating a little bookworm named after Benjamin Franklin, it's been a wonderful journey through books and imagination. And perhaps that's the greatest gift of a good story.
It doesn't end when we close the book or turn off the television. It continues to live in our imaginations, inspiring us in ways we might not discover until many years later.
Here's to 55 years of Willy Wonka, to the extraordinary imagination of Roald Dahl, to libraries everywhere, and to all the little bookworms who are discovering the joy of reading.
And, of course, to a little bookworm named Benjamin who would much rather read about adventures in a giant peach than eat one!
Did you grow up reading Roald Dahl or watching the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory? Have those stories stayed with you over the years?
I'd love to hear your memories in the comments.
Greetings,
R.G.
About the Teacher/Author
R. G. de Rouen
Children's Author & International Educator
With over 30 years of experience as an international educator, R. G. de Rouen draws inspiration for his children's books from the people, places, and unforgettable experiences he has encountered around the world. His stories aim to spark curiosity, nurture compassion, and encourage young readers to discover the extraordinary world around them.
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