Neal Lozano

Sophie Dahl, born in 1977, is an English writer and former fashion model. Her literary career began in 2003 with the novella "The Man With The Dancing Eyes," followed by the novel "Playing With The Grown-Ups" in 2007. She has also authored several cookbooks, including "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights" (2009) and "From Season to Season" (2011), the former of which inspired a BBC cooking series. Dahl has contributed to various publications, serving as an editor and columnist for British Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller, and House & Garden. Her writing has explored diverse themes, earning her accolades such as a Jasmine Award for her column on cultural identity and the journey of refugees. She has also written introductions for classic reissues and has a significant body of work in children's literature, with titles like "Madame Badobedah" (2019) receiving notable recognition.

Dahl's early life was marked by frequent moves and attendance at numerous schools, contributing to what she described as an "odd one, but with such magic" childhood. Her family background includes notable figures; her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal, and her paternal grandfather was actor Stanley Holloway. Before her writing career, Dahl had a successful modeling career, starting at age 18, and walked for major fashion houses. She has also been an ambassador for the charity Place2Be, focusing on mental health support in schools. Dahl is married to musician Jamie Cullum, and they have two daughters.

Sophie Dahl's writing career commenced with the publication of her novella, "The Man With The Dancing Eyes," in 2003, which achieved bestseller status. This was followed by her first novel, "Playing With The Grown-Ups," released in 2007. Dahl has also ventured into cookbook writing, publishing "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights" in 2009, a work that later formed the basis for a BBC television series. Her second cookbook, "From Season to Season," was published in 2011. Beyond her own books, Dahl has contributed to anthologies and provided introductions for reissued classic novels, including works by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Stella Gibbons. Her contributions to journalism include extensive work as a contributing editor and columnist for publications such as British Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller, and House & Garden, where her writing has covered a range of topics and earned her awards.

In recent years, Sophie Dahl has focused significantly on children's literature, signing a deal for multiple books with Walker Books. Her first children's book, "Madame Badobedah," published in 2019, garnered critical acclaim and nominations, including for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Subsequent children's books include "The Worst Sleepover in the World" (2021) and "Madame Badobedah and the Old Bones" (2023), the latter of which was recognized as a best book of the year and nominated for a Carnegie Medal. Dahl's journalistic career has been extensive, with a decade-long tenure as a contributing editor at British Vogue, where her columns addressed subjects from cultural identity to the immigrant experience, earning her a Jasmine Award. She continues to contribute to prominent magazines like House & Garden, maintaining a presence in the literary and journalistic spheres.

Born in London in 1977, Sophie Dahl's upbringing was characterized by her parents' separation shortly after her birth and a nomadic childhood that involved attending ten schools and living in seventeen different homes across various locations, including London, New York, and India. She has described her childhood as "an odd one, but with such magic." Dahl comes from a family with a strong artistic and literary lineage. Her maternal grandparents were the renowned children's author Roald Dahl and the American actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandparents were actor Stanley Holloway and dancer Violet Lane. This rich family history has intertwined with her own life and creative pursuits, with her grandfather Roald Dahl famously naming a character after her in his novel "The BFG."

“an odd one, but with such magic”