Chaos at the Chocolate Factory: World Book Day 2026

An exclusive new World Book Day story, inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory from bestselling author Sibéal Pounder, and illustrated by Emily Jones. 
 
Charlie Bucket is having a magical time learning to run Mr Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory. There are so many delicious new creations to be invented! And as long as there is a Wonka chocolate factory, there will be a Willy Wonka pinging about like an excited squirrel inside it - along with his brilliant Oompa Loompas, who know just how to keep everything running smoothly. 
 
But everyone needs a holiday, even Oompa Loompas. And that’s where this story begins . . . 
 
When Mr Wonka and the Oompa Loompas decide it's time to go on an adventure to look for marvellous new recipe ingredients, Charlie is left to run the factory by himself for the first time. And it's fair to say things don't quite go to plan . . . 
 
Can Charlie use his imagination to save the chocolate factory from disaster - or will all the chaos mean closing the factory gates forever?

Sibéal Pounder (Author) 
Sibéal Pounder is the author of the bestselling Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series of books, Neon's Secret Universe, and the Christmas tale, Tinsel. Her debut, Witch Wars, was shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. The Bad Mermaids series was a World Book Day title and a Sunday Times Bestseller. Before becoming a full time author, Sibéal worked for the Financial Times. 
 
Roald Dahl (Author) 
Roald Dahl was a spy, ace fighter pilot, chocolate historian and medical inventor. He was also the author of Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and many more brilliant stories. 
 
Emily Jones (Illustrator) 
Emily Jones wanted to illustrate children's books for a living immediately after reading 'I want my potty' by Tony Ross. It's been a little while since that pivotal moment in Jarrow library aged 7 but she has finally achieved it. 
 
She lives in Cardiff with her partner and English Bull Terrier Whippet Cross, Augustus, who despite having never entered a beauty pageant, would definitely win one.

The Twits Next Door

NOW WITH REVOLTING EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT!!! 
 
A wickedly funny and prank-filled adventure starring one of Roald Dahl’s most hilarious and popular creations, The Twits. 
 
This brand-new and deliciously revolting story is brilliantly written by internationally bestselling authors and children’s literacy advocates Greg James and Chris Smith and illustrated by Emily Jones. 
 
Mr and Mrs Twit are just about as nasty and revolting as two people can get. The only thing that brings the two of them pleasure is playing pranks on one another. 
 
But, when a new family called the Lovelies move in next door, with their lively 10-year-old twins, they teach The Twits to stop being so mean and horrible and they all live happily ever after . . . 
 
Ha! Not really. The Twits HATE the Lovelies. 
 
But how far will The Twits go to rid themselves of their horribly nice new neighbours? And what happens when these new neighbours, who are armed with utter loveliness, start to fight back? 
 
Loved The Twits Next Door? Read more fantastically funny adventures from Greg James and Chris Smith:<ul><li>The Kid Normal series</li><li>The Great Dream Robbery</li><li>Super Ghost</li><li>The Kid Who Fell Through Time</li></ul>

Greg James (Author) 
GREG JAMES AND CHRIS SMITH are the multi-award-wining and bestselling authors of The Great Dream Robbery, Super Ghost and the Kid Normal series. They have been translated into over 20 languages and been shortlisted for both the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Laugh Out Loud Award. Greg and Chris have championed children’s books widely, were judges for the Blue Peter Book Award in 2017 and were official World Book Day authors in 2020. They are also committed advocates for children’s literacy and are founding members of the Primary School Library Alliance – a campaign launched by Penguin Random House and the National Literacy Trust to address the lack of investment in UK primary school libraries – and were awarded in 2024 the Ruth Rendell Literacy Award, presented to those who have had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year, for their work promoting reading in schools. Outside of their writing partnership, Greg James is a radio and television broadcaster and Chris Smith a solo author of acclaimed children’s books Frankie Best Hates Quests and Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency. 
 
Chris Smith (Author) 
GREG JAMES AND CHRIS SMITH are the multi-award-wining and bestselling authors of The Great Dream Robbery, Super Ghost and the Kid Normal series. They have been translated into over 20 languages and been shortlisted for both the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Laugh Out Loud Award. Greg and Chris have championed children’s books widely, were judges for the Blue Peter Book Award in 2017 and were official World Book Day authors in 2020. They are also committed advocates for children’s literacy and are founding members of the Primary School Library Alliance – a campaign launched by Penguin Random House and the National Literacy Trust to address the lack of investment in UK primary school libraries – and were awarded in 2024 the Ruth Rendell Literacy Award, presented to those who have had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year, for their work promoting reading in schools. Outside of their writing partnership, Greg James is a radio and television broadcaster and Chris Smith a solo author of acclaimed children’s books Frankie Best Hates Quests and Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency. 
 
Emily Jones (Illustrator) 
Emily Jones wanted to illustrate children's books for a living immediately after reading 'I want my potty' by Tony Ross. It's been a little while since that pivotal moment in Jarrow library aged 7 but she has finally achieved it. 
 
 
She lives in Cardiff with her partner and English Bull Terrier Whippet Cross, Augustus, who despite having never entered a beauty pageant, would definitely win one.

Roald Dahl

Sibéal Pounder

Paul King

Simon Farnaby

Emily Jones

Before Charlie, before the Chocolate Factory, comes a story of invention and imagination . . . 
 
Ever since he was a child, Willy Wonka had dreamed of making chocolate and sharing it with the world. 
 
As a young man, he arrives at the world-famous Galeries Gourmet, determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time. 
 
But hounded by a trio of jealous chocolatiers, and tricked into a lifetime of washhouse drudgery, Wonka will need a little luck and a whole lot of magic – along with some help from a few friends – to fulfil his destiny. 
 
Because if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible. 
 
This delicious tale of dreams, friendship and chocolate is based on the major motion picture, Wonka, directed by Paul King, who created the story and wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby. The story is brought to the page by bestselling author Sibéal Pounder. This edition of Wonka is brought to life with brand-new illustrations by Emily Jones.

Emily Jones

Books by Emily Jones

Series by Emily Jones

The Twits Next Door

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