A Most Peculiar Toy Factory; Alex Bell, illustrated by Nan Lawson

If you go down to the toy factory today you’re in for a big surprise…From Alex Bell, the best-selling author of the The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club, comes a thrilling macabre read that is not for the faint-hearted or those that scare easily.

Hoggle’s Happy Toys in Cherryville has fallen into a state of disrepair. The factory has been empty ever since the terrible events of five years ago. Rumours of evil teddy bears that came to life and began to attack children are whispered amongst the town’s residents.

Marmaduke Jaron Hoggle is reopening the factory and is seeking child employees to help get the factory up and running again. Tess would rather have nothing to do with the factory but with a family farm to save she and her siblings turn up for work. Things take a terrible turn when Oliver disappears. With her brother in danger, it is up to Tess to uncover the secrets of the terrifying toys and what terrible magic lurks within the factory…

I love a creepy mystery and A Most Peculiar Toy Factory has enough in it to frighten even the bravest of little souls. Alex Bell’s first book for Barrington Stoke is full of tension, suspense, magic and deliciously dark humour. She keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the fast-paced action unfolds and the turn of each page holds much trepidation.

Hoggle’s Toy Factory provides the perfect creepy setting where there are plenty of strange goings-on, mysterious noises and some very disturbed toys. Teddy bears harbour dark secrets, mermaids live in fear and the rocking horses have lost their spark. At first glance the teddy bears picnic wallpaper might seem cute but take a closer look and you’ll find the bears feasting on dolls finger sandwiches enjoyed with a side of eye balls.

Battling all of the sinister goings-on, trying to uncover the secrets hidden within the factory and rescue a lost sibling is Tess. She is a wonderful lead protagonist who takes control of the situation and does what needs doing to protect her family. No matter the horrors that the factory reveals to her she is more than up to the challenge.

Produced by Barrington Stoke, this book is published with dyslexic-friendly font, page tint and spacing making it accessible for all readers. Nan Lawson provides the creepy illustrations.

Recommended for 8+.