By Alex Bell (author) , Nan Lawson (illustrator)
"An abandoned toy factory, evil teddy bears, a girl who bravely uncovers the truth – this deliciously creepy novella melds Enid Blyton’s spirit of adventure with Roald Dahl’s invention"
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Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8
Nothing is what it seems in Alex Bell’s spritely, spooky novella that sees a girl figure out the sinister secrets of a toy factory. An atmosphere of underlying mystery is keenly evoked from the off: “The children of Cherryville all knew the factory was an evil place. Something awful had happened inside five years ago.
It was something kids still whispered about in the playground and used to frighten each other at sleepovers.” And in the way of all creepy rumours, “None of the children in the town knew the truth for sure. They just knew that they should stay away from that factory.”
Unfortunately for Tess, she and her younger siblings are forced to work in the factory when its reopening ominously coincides with her family’s farm falling on hard times. With its eccentric Willy Wonka-esque owner mysteriously only employing under twelve-year-olds, what else can they do? Inside the factory, it’s not long before all manner of terrifying events unfold, and all creepy fingers point to the teddy bears being behind them.
Though short in length, this is big in impact: how’s this for an evocative description: “And the smell of damp gave way to the scent of goblin, which was something like black pepper and toffee apples mixed up together” ? The story sprints to tense end, with a final twist in the tale that would give Roald Dahl a run for his money. And, being published by Barrington Stoke, it’s written and designed with reluctant and dyslexic readers in mind.
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Shadows of teddy bears flit across windows. Dolls whisper behind closed doors. Something has gone very wrong at Hoggle's Happy Toys. But five years after shutting its doors, the toy factory is opening again, and Tess Pipps has found herself a job there. As she and her siblings start their first day of work, they are about to discover what dark secrets are lurking inside the factory's walls ... A creepy mystery adventure packed with Willy Wonka-inspired humour and characters.
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Alex Bell has published bestselling novels and short stories for both adults and young adults including Frozen Charlotte, a Zoella Book Club pick.
The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club was her first foray into middle grade. She always wanted to be a writer but had several back-up plans. After training as a lawyer, she now works at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Most of her spare time consists of catering to the whims of her Siamese cat.
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Shadows of teddy bears flit across windows. Dolls whisper behind closed doors.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed A Most Peculiar Toy Factory and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
A Most Peculiar Toy Factory features in the following genres: Crime & Mystery, Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 7+, Recommendations, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 9+, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Horror & Ghost Stories, Featured Books for 7+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
A Most Peculiar Toy Factory was written by Alex Bell and published by Barrington Stoke Ltd
A Most Peculiar Toy Factory has 114 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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