'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' celebrates its 50th birthday
Roald Dahl鈥檚 classic children鈥檚 novel 鈥淐harlie and the Chocolate Factory鈥� is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
鈥淐harlie,鈥� which tells the story of a sweet young boy who wins a national contest and is granted the opportunity to tour the candy factory owned by the mysterious Willy Wonka, has twice been adapted into film: once in a musical version starring Gene Wilder that was released in 1971, and then in a 2005 adaptation starring Johnny Depp.
The book鈥檚 publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group, will be celebrating the milestone all year, with one aspect of the celebration reflecting Charlie鈥檚 Golden Ticket win. The publisher is pairing with Dylan鈥檚 Candy Bar and the nonprofit organization First Book to create the National Golden Ticket Sweepstakes. Five winners will get to go behind the scenes just like the characters of 鈥淐harlie鈥� did and Penguin will make a donation to First Book every time someone enters.
Dylan鈥檚 Candy Bar owner Dylan Lauren said 鈥淐harlie鈥� was a major influence on her when she was creating her stores.
鈥淭hey鈥檒l get to go behind the scenes, be part of our taste testing, co-host a birthday party, merchandise the sales floor, and fill the candy bins,鈥� Lauren said of the winners in an interview with . 鈥淚t will be a real hands-on experience."
$5,000 worth of books will be donated to the winners鈥� school libraries as well and the winners will get two round-trip New York City tickets and tickets to see Broadway鈥檚 鈥淢atilda: The Musical.鈥�
The contest will begin on April 1.
Penguin is making trivia, counter displays, and other decorations available to stores who want to celebrate the milestone as well.聽
In addition, anniversary versions of 鈥淐harlie鈥� in both hardcover and paperback are now available.
