Bookshelf Bests: A Most Peculiar Toy Factory

Looking for your child’s next Bookshelf Best? If they love adventures with a dash of magic and mystery, A Most Peculiar Toy Factory by Alex Bell is a fantastic pick.

Bookshelf Best: A Most Peculiar Toy Factory

A Quirky and Spooky Adventure

Tess Pipps lives on a family farm with her siblings, but when the threat of losing their beloved cows looms, they’re forced to take jobs at the strange and mysterious Hoggis Happy Toy Factory. Rumours of “toys gone bad” swirl around the village, but could they really be true? And what secrets does the eccentric Mr Hoggis have hidden away?

The result is a fun, slightly spooky story that keeps readers turning the pages, without ever being too scary.

Why It’s a Bookshelf Best

Written by Alex Bell—author of the much-loved Polar Bear Explorer’s Club series—this book is a wonderful choice for children aged 8 and up who are becoming confident with longer chapter books. The illustrations by Nan Lawson add an extra layer of charm, and, as always, Barrington Stoke’s accessible format makes it perfect for every reader, including dyslexic and reluctant readers.

Final Thoughts

With its mix of mystery, mischief, and magic, A Most Peculiar Toy Factory is a brilliant addition to any child’s reading list. It’s imaginative, engaging, and full of heart—exactly what we look for in our Bookshelf Bests.

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