In the fantastical world of The Beast and the Bethany, all the classic macabre humour of Roald Dahl meets the warmth and charm of Despicable Me, and is topped off with a gleeful bite of Little Shop of Horrors, making for a brilliant middle grade read for children aged 8+!
Meet Ebenezer Tweezer: a seemingly youthful boy you'd never expect is actually 511 years old! His secret to looking so youthful? Well, Ebenezer has a pet BEAST! Locked in his mansion's attic, the beast follows a strict diet, which includes performing monkeys, Ebenezer's pet cat and the occasional cactus, and in return the he vomits out presents for Ebenezer, as well as potions which keep him young and beautiful.
But soon the beast grows greedy, and only a nice, juicy child will do. Ebenezer finds Bethany, an orphan who who seems to be the promise that (everlasting) life will go on as normal. But Bethany is not your average orphan and soon enough Ebenezer will realise she's a PRANKSTER like no other!
Along with Bethany comes her feathery friend Claudette, and soon enough they try to make big changes in Ebenezer's life luring him over to the side of doing good, getting the beast locked up (after he tries to EAT Bethany not once but TWICE!), and sorting various issues when things go wrong. (What do you do when your bird friend suddenly has a tummy ache? Or when the beast's tummy starts grumbling? Or when the beast has a child of its own, with all its BAD qualities?)
In this series author, scriptwriter and playwright Jack Meggitt-Phillips and illustrator Isabelle Follath join forces to create an outrageously funny and deliciously dark series is perfect for readers aged 8-12 and fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
A major film deal has also been announced for the books with Warner Brothers and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer, David Heyman.
All the Beast and the Bethany books in order:
Book 1: The Beast and the Bethany (2020)
Book 2: Revenge of the Beast (2021)
Book 3: Battle of the Beast (2022)
Book 4: The Beast and the Bethany: Child of the Beast (2023)
Reads like a modern classic. Sharp, funny, original – I thought this was brilliant' – Sam Copeland, author of the bestse... MoreThe Beast and the Bethany
This brilliantly dark and funny story offers a fresh twist on classic fairy tale themes, with a perfect mix of creepy and comical that children absolu...
Absolutely superb book, had our children hooked from the first to the last page. This is a brilliant book to read together, but also a brilliant book ...
A wonderfully dark and wickedly funny read, The Beast and The Bethany is a fresh take on classic villainy, packed with humor, adventure, and a delight...
