What better way to launch the 2012 special stamp programme than with a tribute to one of the world’s greatest children’s authors - Roald Dahl.

In a year that will also see us celebrate the diamond jubilee of HM the Queen and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Royal Mail has decided to celebrate the work of Roald Dahl with ten stamps to start a new stamp year.

Described as “one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century”, Dahl is one of the most consistently popular UK authors of children’s books, but also wrote very successful fiction for adults, an autobiography and screenplays.

In 2008 The Times placed Dahl sixteenth on their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945". His short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, often very dark humour.

More than 20 years after his death in 1990, his popularity around the globe continues to grow. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and worldwide sales have topped 100 million. For many children, Dahl’s books have become almost synonymous with reading itself. Six of Dahl’s most popular children’s stories feature on the Stamps - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Twits and The Witches. As many of Dahl’s best loved stories have been illustrated by Quentin Blake it made perfect sense to use his illustrations for these Stamps.