Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a fantastic book about childhood, imagination, ingenuity, and fun! I read this book to my  five year old daughter. Not only was the imagery fantastic enough to keep her attention, but it also jump started her imagination and she loved it!

Give any child an extra treat by taking them to a real chocolate factory. Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale offers a free factory tour. Make the long hours of summer a little bit sweeter . . .  read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and take a tour of one of AZ’s chocolate factories.

The Book

Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl

Illustrator: Quentin Blake

Recommended Age:9-12

Book Brief:

Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten little girl whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregaurde a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

Author:

Roald Dahl is one of the world’s favorite children’s authors. He first became interested in writing children’s books by making up bedtime stories for his daughters Olivia and Tessa. This was how James and the Giant Peach came into being. An unbroken string of bestselling titles followed; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Danny the Champion of the World, The Twits, The Witches, Boy, Matilda, and Going Solo. Roald Dahl was a great believer in the importance of reading. “I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers.”

The Blast

Cerreta Candy Compay Factory Tour

Location:

Cost: Free

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-1pm

Website: www.cerreta.com

Its a blast!

The Cerreta’s strive to create a fun, lively atmosphere where everyone can see candy magic being made. Take a special guided tour of the family-owned hometown candy factory. See how a sea of caramel becomes a tasty treat. Learn how cream centers are enrobed in luscious chocolate.

30-minute guided tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10am and 1pm. For groups of 30 or more, please call (623) 930-1000 and arrange for a private tour.

Self-guided video tours are available during normal factory hours, Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm. Television monitors throughout the facility provide plenty of information while you watch chocolate flow right before your eyes.

Extra tips for a good time!

• Cerreta offers extra events this summer, including Mom & Tots Chocolate Pizza and tour party and Saturday Cheese Pizza and Chocolate Pizza Parties. Click here to print $2 off coupons.
• Print a Golden Ticket entry form to enter when you go.
• You can also view the tour online.