2008-02-02 An original and fun story for the 5-8 year olds.

Set in an old fashioned antique shop, like Mr Gruber's in Paddington Bear, Jeffrey and Mr Prendergast find an unusual old-fashioned contraption. Once it is oiled and cleaned up, this magnificent machine produces the most rip-roaring jokes, attracting crowds to the old shop. But then the machine malfunctions, how can that have happened and what can they do to bring laughter and fun back to the little row of shop? This book is a smart combination of good writing, a neat unusual story and funky stylized illustrations on most pages. This charming tale is simple, written in nine short chapters, and could easily be read in one sitting. It is perfectly suited to be read aloud to the 5-7s and for newly confident readers to read to themselves. Although McCall Smith is best known for his adult fiction and the Ladies Detective Agency series, his straightforward intelligent story-telling style works brilliantly for children and The Joke Machine is one of a strong series - I also recommend The Popcorn Pirates.