Author:Andre Maurois
'Two Surface-dwellers. Two! He’s a Fattypuff and you’re a Thinifer. There’s no doubt about it!’
This is the tale of two brothers. Edmund is a little on the plump side and Terry is a bit of a rake. When they discover the countries under the Earth they are divided and sent to the warring kingdoms of the Fattypuffs and the Thinifers. The Fattypuffs eat hourly with light snacks in between. The Thinifers like nothing more than discipline and work six days a week. Whether you are a jolly Fattypuff or a driven Thinifer you’ll be rooting for the brothers to bring peace to the countries under the Earth.
Includes exclusive material: In the Backstory you can take the quiz to find out if you’re a Fattypuff or a Thinifer!
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
An ingenious moral tale
—— Glasgow HeraldThis classic story, first published in 1930, immediately seduces the reader with its hilarious world existing just under the surface of our own… Full of good jokes – mainly at the expense of the Fattypuffs – and good drawings by Fritz Wegner
—— GuardianOne of our favourite books as children
—— Kevin Crossley-Holland , Daily MailWegner’s drawings of the lands of the Thinifer and Fattypuff people are heartwarming, imaginative and kind, but, more importantly, they are very funny
—— Rob Ryan , The TimesMcAllister effectively turns what could have been a humdrum story about car design into a real page-turner and a daring tale . . . A feel-good story about the French Resistance that might very well inspire more than a few designers and engineers.
—— School Library JournalA fantastic family read; this is a story with a big heart based on an amazing idea . . . This is easily one of my favourite books so far this year - a brilliant and magical read that will stay with me until the day that I die. It is a great debut story with bags of drive and vroom.
—— Mr Ripley's Enchanted BooksRefreshingly different and very engaging . . . There is so much to enjoy in this book
—— Reading ZoneA delightful book
—— Historical Novel SocietyUnusual and delightful
—— Parents in TouchI loved this delightful novel. It's intended for middle grade readers but people of all ages will love it.
—— The BookbagThe tale rollicks along with suspense, reversal, and surprise . . . Along the way, the author gives us a finely drawn evocation of the drama the French lived through, as well as an enthralling account of how a remarkable car - designed by an Italian, engineered by the French - was born. A captivating book for young people of all ages.
—— T.E. Carhart, bestselling author of 'The Piano Shop on the Left Bank'My book-loving boy was immediately engrossed . . . Each chapter left him wanting to know what was coming next, and he read it cover to cover with great interest.
—— whatsgoodtodo.co.uk