The #1 New York Times–bestselling author’s visually stunning story about a magical band of living toys who learn to overcome their fears. Toymaker Isaac Bodkins created the Oddkins, a group of living toys, for very special children who face difficulties in life and need true friends. There’s Amos, the brave stuffed bear; Skippy, the rabbit who dreams of being a superstar; Butterscotch, the … Butterscotch, the gentle, floppy-eared pup; Burl the elephant; the wise and scholarly Gibbons; and Patch the cat. The Oddkins are given to children to inspire, support, and love them, especially during times of adversity. Only now, the toys themselves are the ones who need help. Before he dies, Mr. Bodkins delivers a dire warning to Amos the bear: Watch out for an evil toymaker and his dangerous creations! Locked up in the dark sub-basement, another group of toys is climbing out of boxes and crates and coming to life as well. These bad toys—like Rex and Lizzie, the puppets with no strings; Gear, the vicious robot; and Stinger, the horrid buzzing bumblebee with his knife-sharp stinger—were made to hurt children, not help them. Leering, laughing, and deadly, they are let loose into the world by a terrifying force. Frightening as it may be, the Oddkins must go on a journey to find Colleen Shannon, Mr. Bodkins’s chosen successor as a life-giving toymaker and the only person who can save them. The stormy night is perilous and the Oddkins face a danger that threatens not only their magic . . . but the magic in us all.
more
What an interesting little book. The Oddkins are adorable and the Charon toys are quite frightening and vicious. There are a few life lessons as a fable usually has.
I had originally thought that I would read this with my 7 year old granddaughter but I think that I had better wait. The evil toys are frightening.
I enjoyed the Biography with photos.
Kontz’s character development is good as ever, and I loved the epic journey of the toys.
Reread this book because my now 37 year old son remembered me reading it to him. Loved it even more this time. Toys and teddy bears can be loyal and determined as any child can tell you.
This book read like a movie script, very hard to stop reading! If you enjoyed the movie Toy Story you’ll probably enjoy this book! It has a lot of “messages” in it that kids will be able to pick up on–but it doesn’t come across as preachy because it is so well integrated into the story. This is not Dean Koontz’s “normal” genre, not a horror story, although it does have a good/evil theme.
Children’s book with heroic characters.
Good. Not for young kids tho
Not crazy about it. I didn’t finish it.
This se ms at first glance to be a novel to read to your children at bedtime. I wouldn’t recommend that, actually. This tale of magical living toys who must make a desperate journey to inform their new toymaker after their creator dies is really a rich, meaningful fable for adults who miss their childhoods. It is too intense and scary for younger children, in whom it may induce nightmares of the murderous, evil toys who are the story’s principal villains. In all, this is among my favorite Koonts books, right alongside Watchers and the Odd Thomas series.
I loved this story. I had read it a long time ago and bought it as an ebook. It is a modern day fairytale. Enjoy
This was an easy light read. Not real long. Sent a copy for my tween granddaughter. Should be right up her alley.
A Must Read, And buy Hardcopy! Big beautiful picture book, besides the great read!
What would happen if toys became evil, living characters? Other toys would become alive, fighters against the evil toys….
Not of the caliber I expect from Dean Koontz.
I read this to my kids when they were about 6 and 8. It was one of their favorite books. I was a bookseller at the time and sold so many the Christmas it came out. I had so many kids come thank me for making their parents buy them this book. It is scary for a kids book but it has a great story.
This book was wonderful. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it will make you want to cheer for the good guys. It was easy to read as well as fun. I definitely recommend this wonderful story.
Dean Koontz has written a modern day fairy tale. The writing is straightforward enough that younger readers can follow, but not adolescent enough to deter adults from enjoying a good story. I found Oddkins enjoyable and worth sharing with my friends.
It’s a children’s book, but it was also an enjoyable light reading.