Every once in a while, you come across a book that manages to bring out the child inside you. As you turn one page after the other, reading the story to your little one, you remember the times your parents used to read to you, and how amazing it felt to discover a wonderful book together. My five-year-old was quite impressed with the story, especially since it involved one of her favorite things. What could it be? That’s right, you guessed it, I am talking of course about chocolate. Described as a laugh-out-loud adventure, I think it appeals to both the young and old, and not just because it features one of the most popular sweets in the world. Wink wink!
My opinion:
Could such a thing exist? The end of chocolate? Welcome to a hilarious story, where a little girl tries to solve the mystery of the great Chocoplot. Her sidekick? None other than her grandma! I absolutely loved the story, the cast of characters, and the plentiful of funny moments. The book overflows with pure, simple fun, and the adult in me could not help but notice the bittersweet ironies, they just added to the gusto of the book. A terrifying premise indeed, the idea of chocolate disappearing forever, wrapped brilliantly in an accurate façade of society, but also with lots of funny moments for young bookworms. Of course, it is practically impossible not to detest the pompous Garibaldi, a true villain, an evil mastermind.
There were a few hard truths to swallow hidden inside the story and this is the main reason why I believe the story will appeal to adults as well. For instance, Jelly comes from a family in which a parent has lost his job, which is a common occurrence nowadays. I fell in love with the subtle humor, and I appreciated that Jelly’s partner was her grandma, it was a cool idea. There is a lot of drama to follow, and the rhythm of the story unfolds at a rapid pace, so there isn’t any chance in the world to get bored. All I can say is that the story will definitely leave you craving for chocolate, especially if you give into the terrifying concept that the beloved sweet might disappear forever.
Filled with both action and adventure, this book is perfect for chocolate lovers of any age. There are also some wonderful illustrations to be discovered, which bring the story to life, and make the whole reading experience even more interesting. I am not going to share too many details about the story, because I want to you to explore it on your own, but I have to mention my favorite scene. Imagine Jelly and her Gran chasing someone down the street, with Gran wearing her slippers. Rib-tickling indeed! The story is wonderfully imaginative, and I could not help but notice the various human observations sprinkled here and there.
Verdict:
This book truly has it all! A wonderful story, with quality humor, and a unique though terrifying premise. If you are a fan of chocolate, you have to give this story a try. My daughter had so much fun with this story, asking about a sequel, as she always does. For me, it was an equally great reading experience, as Chris Callaghan knows to write a story that appeals to both the young and the old. It reminded me of Roald Dahl but at the same time it had its unique charm, thanks to the author’s limitless imagination. I am grateful for authors who write such wonderful stories, eager to share them with readers like us!
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