A Sweet Day at Hammonds Candies with Meghan E. Christensen

Living in Denver, nothing is sweeter than a trip to Hammonds Candy factory. Until now, that is. 

I had the opportunity last Friday to attend a reading and signing for Meghan E. Christensen’s book “Wally and the Sweet Mountain Candy Factory” at Hammonds Candy factory. Just when I though that the Hammond’s Experience couldn’t get any sweeter, it did. 

Touring Hammond’s Candies is a must do in Denver. 

My son and I had the opportunity to tour the candy factory, which has been in operation since 1920 and still uses many of the same machines and processes as it did back then. Hammond’s tour guides will happily give you a free tour of the factory and explain the process of creating their signature hard candies, lollipops, candy canes and other delicious treats. 

The candy factory made a perfect event venue for the book, which details the same candy creation process that Hammonds uses. I can think of no better home for this sweet story of a boy going to work in his family’s candy factory for the first time. Each page of this magnificently illustrated and well written story has actions that your child can follow to get you in on the fun. It’s a great way to burn energy before bed time, and would make a great story time or circle time book.

After the tour, we attended the book reading.

It was exciting to see Meghan read her book aloud, leading the group in actions as she read. It was fun to see the children react and interact with the reading. The story has some great twists and turns as well, which were clever and entertaining. 

After the reading, I had a chance to sit down with Meghan. 

Meghan is a stay at home mom with 3 children. Her two boys are featured in the book and her daughter was born just as she finished writing the book. We talked about how the book came about, as well as the role Hammonds itself played in the origin of the book.

How did this concept come about?

“The story started with my boys being so rambunctious at night and my husband had just gotten home from work. He was exhausted bedtime— even just the idea of it. So, they wanted me to tell them a story, which I usually do. He was laying the ground so I thought ‘we’ll just involve dad in this and this could be fun’. So I just made up a story of how he was a conveyor belt in a candy factory and Hammond’s was where I was pulling my ideas from, because I had been here. So, yeah, I just did that on his back and my boys fell in love with it and the concept. I told it to them almost every night for a year.”

So, how did it go from a bedtime activity at home to a published book?

“Well, My mom came to visit and she said ‘this needs to be a book. This is so fun. I want other families to feel this culture in their home.’ So, that is what got me started.”

Do you plan to write more books after this?

“I would love to do more! I have lots of idea for a whole series, not necessarily using Wally, but using the same format… I’m hoping to do more but I’m trying to enjoy this one first. I just want to relish this and enjoy that, then more will come someday.”

So what is your favorite candy?

“I really love those peachy rings, but they have to be the actual (Harbro) brand name ones, and not the generic. I also love M&Ms, and a milky way and… I just love candy in general. I’m a candy fiend.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this exciting experience, and meeting with Meghan. The book, Wally and the Sweet Mountain Candy Factory is a fun and interactive addition to your home or classroom library. If you are in the Denver area, be sure to stop by Hammonds for a tour and pick up your own copy of the book, which is now on sale in their gift shop. You can also purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.