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  • Published: 8 May 2014
  • ISBN: 9781448192823
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 400

The Tin Snail




The heart-warming and fascinating story of the little car that helped to win a war.

It’s 1938.
In order to save his dad’s job, Angelo needs to invent a brand-new car that can carry:

a farmer
his wife
two chickens
a flagon of wine
and a dozen eggs

across a bumpy field without breaking a single egg . . . and without the enemy discovering his top-secret design!

Here's the extraordinary story – inspired by real events – of how one little car changed history.

  • Published: 8 May 2014
  • ISBN: 9781448192823
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 400

About the author

Cameron McAllister

Cameron McAllister is a TV scriptwriter, and has worked on shows such as Robinson Crusoe, Spooks Code 9, Primeval and Emmerdale. He grew up near the beaches of Cornwall, and now lives in Brighton with his wife, four sons and Floss the dog.

Also by Cameron McAllister

See all

Praise for The Tin Snail

Charming

Guardian

The tale rollicks along with suspense, reversal, and surprise . . . Along the way, the author gives us a finely drawn evocation of the drama the French lived through, as well as an enthralling account of how a remarkable car - designed by an Italian, engineered by the French - was born. A captivating book for young people of all ages.

T.E. Carhart, bestselling author of 'The Piano Shop on the Left Bank'

A fantastic family read; this is a story with a big heart based on an amazing idea . . . This is easily one of my favourite books so far this year - a brilliant and magical read that will stay with me until the day that I die. It is a great debut story with bags of drive and vroom.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

A delightful book

Historical Novel Society

I loved this delightful novel. It's intended for middle grade readers but people of all ages will love it.

The Bookbag

Refreshingly different and very engaging . . . There is so much to enjoy in this book

Reading Zone

My book-loving boy was immediately engrossed . . . Each chapter left him wanting to know what was coming next, and he read it cover to cover with great interest.

whatsgoodtodo.co.uk

I honestly never thought I’d find myself reading, let alone taken with, a book about the making of a French motor car but The Tin Snail by Cameron McAllister is a thoroughly engaging read. It manages to turn the struggle to invent the Citroen as the first people’s car, and then to keep its design from the German invaders, into a story of the Resistance, which is saying something. Plus it has a human element: the plot revolves round the designer’s young son, and his wan hopes that the car will help his parents stay together. Illustrated with panache in pen and ink by Sam Usher.

Spectator

Feel-good, funny, romping, filmic adventure

Sunday Times

Unusual and delightful

Parents in Touch

McAllister effectively turns what could have been a humdrum story about car design into a real page-turner and a daring tale . . . A feel-good story about the French Resistance that might very well inspire more than a few designers and engineers.

School Library Journal

A fresh and madcap novel . . . Half-silly, half-serious and full of human interest, The Tin Snail brings 10- to 14-year-olds into endearing and unusual company.

Wall Street Journal

A delightful book

Historical Novel Society

A fantastic family read; this is a story with a big heart based on an amazing idea . . . This is easily one of my favourite books so far this year - a brilliant and magical read that will stay with me until the day that I die. It is a great debut story with bags of drive and vroom.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Charming

Guardian

I loved this delightful novel. It's intended for middle grade readers but people of all ages will love it.

The Bookbag

Refreshingly different and very engaging . . . There is so much to enjoy in this book

Reading Zone

The tale rollicks along with suspense, reversal, and surprise . . . Along the way, the author gives us a finely drawn evocation of the drama the French lived through, as well as an enthralling account of how a remarkable car - designed by an Italian, engineered by the French - was born. A captivating book for young people of all ages.

T.E. Carhart, bestselling author of 'The Piano Shop on the Left Bank'