Mr Bunny's Chocolate Factory

This picture book is just fabulous across all age ranges! It explores commercialism, exploitation, factory production and of course, chocolate. It is also very, very funny! Mr Bunny's Chocolate Factory begins with a question, 'How do you think chocolate eggs are made?' and goes on to explain how factories work - but this is no ordinary factory. The workers here are hens who eat lots of chocolate in order to lay chocolate eggs. There is also a 'quality control unicorn' called Edgar. It is the details such as these that make this picture book such a delight, for older as well as younger readers. Mr Bunny - who owns the chocolate egg factory - decides that, although he is already rich - he could be richer! He sets new, higher targets for his'staff' - those poor old chickens - until, feeling bullied and coerced, the hens stage a work out, closely followed by the rest of the staff. When his factory explodes in a wave of chocolate, Mr Bunny has to learn to put teamwork and creativity over targets and greed. It's a fabulous lesson, beautifully and entertainingly packaged, and one that I could see many classrooms sharing especially in the run-up to Easter (but it would work at any other time of the year too). There is lots of discussion to be had around working as a team, encouraging creativity, and healthy eating. It's also a good book to use if you're looking at marketing and branding, and how things are made. Or, if you're simply looking for a great picture book that will set children chuckling - this is the one for you! Picture book / Ages 5-9 years / Reviewed by Alice Ewell.

Suggested Reading Age 5+