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Editorial · Chapter books · 8-11 · Round 1

by BEN LLEWELLYN

Round 1

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The Puzzle Bandit and the Magic Clam is a hybrid puzzle-game/illustrated story chapter book for ages 9–12, following Felix CunningHand, a member of a Robin Hood-style bandit crew tasked with stealing a magical clam from the corrupt Count Hobart's luxury spa. The story unfolds across six elaborately illustrated, cut-away environments—a poacher's hut, a sewage depot, a kitchen, a spa, and a six-story tower—where readers must sequence lists of actions in the correct order by studying detailed scene illustrations. The format blends interactive puzzle logic (close observation, deduction, sequencing) with a serialized adventure narrative, concluding with a coded letter that sends readers to a real URL for future adventures. The tone is warm, witty, and irreverent, with clear environmental messaging embedded naturally in the heist premise (toxic waste dumped into a river). Comparables include Murdle Jr., Escape This Book!, and Sleuth & Solve; it functions simultaneously as a game book and a chapter-length story. The author-illustrator, Ben Llewellyn, is a professional animator with credits at Netflix, HBO, and Marvel, bringing densely detailed, personality-rich illustration to the project. The book has strong series potential built in via the closing hook involving King Pingus and a second magic clam.

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Every heist needs a brilliant plan — and The Puzzle Bandit and the Magic Clam by animator Ben Llewellyn is a book with just such a plan. Equal parts puzzle game and illustrated story, it's a new kind of reading experience for kids ages 9–12 who are ready to think sideways.

The setup: Count Hobart runs a luxury spa where a magical clam purifies the overindulged bodies of wealthy guests — then dumps the toxic runoff straight into the Fernican River. Enter the reader, a rookie bandit recruited by the irrepressible Picky Wombat. The reader's mission is to steal the magical clam right out from under Hobart's nose, navigating six elaborately illustrated environments — a poacher's hut, a waterfront depot, a royal spa full of sloosh pools, and a six-story tower guarded by barbarians, a relaxed bather, and at least one very alert cat.

Each level presents players with a detailed cut-away illustration and a set of actions to sequence in the correct order before they can advance to the next puzzle. These puzzles reward close observation — a moon symbol on a key, a wrench visible through a window, a chart on a boss's wall — and the logic escalates satisfyingly from puzzle to puzzle. A dishwasher who casually drops crucial lore. A cryptic note from a hermit named Sappy. The last page features a coded letter from King Pingus that sends readers to a real URL with the promise of more adventure. The book earns its "ages 9+" badge: the early puzzles are accessible, and by Hobart's Tower, readers will be genuinely working for it.

Llewellyn's illustration style is warm, densely detailed, and full of humor and personality. The heist set-up gives the book a Robin Hood energy where readers are stealing from the obscenely wealthy to stop ecological destruction, and get the satisfaction of redirecting the toxic waste to Hobart's private bathtub on their way out.

The Puzzle Bandit and the Magic Clam would appeal to fans of the Murdle Jr. series, Escape This Book!, or Sleuth & Solve by Ana Gallo and Victor Escandell It's a book for the kid who loves sudoku and logic puzzles and is looking for their next challenge — one that will stimulate their imaginations as well as their logic skills.

Ben Llewellyn is an architect-turned-animator whose client list includes Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Marvel, and Nissan. His passion lies in creating fantastical worlds for others to step into. Drawing on his experience creating award-winning television projects and immersive architecture, Ben creates complex, engaging environments that instill a sense of wonder in both children and adults. He lives in Oregon with his wife and two cats. When he isn’t drawing, he’s usually out enjoying his time by the river (and thinking about his next drawing).

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