Reviewed by Karen Hendriks
Wonka is inspired by Roald
Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This book is based on the
screenplay Wonka by Simon Farnably & Paul King (story by Paul King).
Sibeal Pounder is the author of
the bestselling Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series. The Secret of
Platform 13 is his first standalone novel. His latest book tells the
wondrous story of how Willy Wonka came to be the world’s greatest inventor,
magician, and chocolate-maker.
Charlie lost his mother at a
young age: she is the one who gave him the desire to create the best chocolate
in the world. Charlie sets sail on the seas for seven years gaining knowledge
before arriving at the world-famous Galeries Gourmet determined to open the
best chocolate shop in the world. However, a trio of jealous chocolatiers are
determined to destroy Charlie and his dream. He is tricked into a lifetime of
drudgery inside a washhouse where he makes friends with others who have been
banished, too. With their help, Charlie is determined to fulfil his chocolate
destiny.
Pounder has written a story
that has the same magic and feel as the book Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory. The voice and characterisation of Charlie is great, and Pounder
uses word play and language that sings. Willy and Noodle stand by the
gargantuan steel door to the vault. There is wonder, humour and the use of
wondrous imagination to create a fantasy world that is both believable and
magical. Chocolate is the main theme throughout from the beginning to the end.
Willy walks back to the wash
house, his mind whirring as always. There is a new chocolate idea or two
bouncing about in there, along with a pressing problem to solve.
The names of the three villainous
chocolatiers have child appeal - Slugsworth, Fickelgruber and Prodnose. The
book's pace ensures the reader wants to keep turning the pages to learn more. The
ideas are unique and take the reader on a chocolate journey that’s enthralling
and entertaining.
Wonka: The Story before the
Chocolate Factory is a wondrous
336 page read for children aged 8 to 13 years told with great humour and
attention to detail. Readers of the original story will also love this book. I
can see children, parents, teachers, and librarians gravitating towards it, especially
as there is a movie about the book, too. For those that want to escape the
world for a while, this book will do the trick.
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