"The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me" author, 1985 (4)

I believe the answer is:

dahl

(Other definitions for dahl that I've seen before include "Roald -, British writer" , "British writer of many children's books, d. 1990" , "Indian dish of legumes and spices" , "Willy Wonka's creator" , "'Roald ..., children's author (4)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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