Blockbuster author Dean Koontz’s first novel for young readers, a beautifully illustrated and visually stunning story about a magical band of living toys who learn to overcome the fears we all face in the dark
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 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.
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I found a copy of this book in my local library before I was a teenager and it has stayed in my mind ever since. This is a whimsical, sometimes scary yet essential story for the new generation. So excited that Dean Koontz has re-released it for many more to enjoy.

Oddkins is the book I wish I’d had an introduction to Dean Koontz. I started reading him young, and a more age-appropriate book would’ve been great.. At the outset, I thought this would be a more mature version of Toy Story, due to its live toys, but it’s a much more in-depth story that grapples with some deeper-level questions about life & death, good & evil, family & friends, etc.

When a toymaker dies and his creations have to seek out the appointed successor, the evil toys that have been kept at bay are on their tails with hopes of installing the successor who’ll help them harm kids. I mean, if that’s not going to pull a kid in, I don’t know what will. Oddkins is a really compelling book that had me glued to the pages. Koontz does an impressive job of tailoring his style to a younger audience. I don’t find that authors can always move between ages well, but Koontz does so here. The dialog is natural and doesn't pander to younger readers with simplicity nor are the scary parts too intense to enjoy.

The illustrations here are beautiful. They feature great detail and the mood is captured well. Although there are only a few per chapter, they truly enhance the story.The style of illustrations changes slightly, with some looking sketch-like, while others have a vibrant color scheme.

Overall, this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and believe fits well in the continuum of Koontz’s book. I’d definitely recommend it to younger readers who may want to venture toward horror or scarier books without them being excessive or filled with content that might otherwise be inappropriate.

Oddkins are toys made with just a little bit of magic who one day will be "put on display in a toy shop and sold as a gift for a very special child who'll desperately need a secret friend." A new magic toymaker must be chosen when the current one falls ill or gets too old to carry on, but in this case, the toymaker dies unexpectedly without having passed the torch, so it's up to his toys to travel on their own across town and find her themselves. Unfortunately, there is a basement full of evil toys who will be able to take over if they can prevent the Oddkins from fulfilling this mission.

I love Dean Koontz and had such a good time reading this book! It's like horror-lite for the younger crowd - scary enough to give them chills, without keeping them up all night. The book also had some really cool illustrations to help you picture both groups of toys, which I loved.

In summary, I highly recommend this book to any budding horror lovers out there.

5/5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dean Koontz has been one of my favorite authors for years and I am always happy to read his newest books. The Odd series is one I recommend often, and I enjoyed this book as well.

I read this book long ago and I did not realize that I had not submitted my review for this book. My apologies for the confusion - I appreciate you understanding.