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Posts tagged ‘Chris Riddell’

Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright

I received this book from the publisher
goth-girl-and-the-wuthering-fright
By: Chris Riddell
Book 3 in the Goth Girl series.
Ada Goth is the only child of renowned writer Lord Goth and she lives at Ghastly-Gorm Hall. Ada is a smart girl, rather self reliant and is looking forward to seeing her father who will be home for Christmas. The other thing happening at the hall for Christmas is a literary dog show. Famous authors from all over will be bringing their beloved pets to the hall to see which one deserves the title best in show. Ada though is also excited for the fact her best friend will be coming back to the hall for the holidays.
Things don’t really go as planned though as strange things start to happen; howls in the nights, shoes that have been chewed and mysterious paw prints. Something is going on and Ada is determined to figure it out as well as having some fun along the way.
A wonderfully enchanting tale, filled with absurdities that are Riddell’s signature, accompanied by his distinctive and quirky illustrations. Ada is a steady, relatable character in amongst the slightly off centre story and supporting cast. Riddell’s books are always entertaining, a real pleasure to read, picture books to chapter books. A truly fun read.
Highly recommended.
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s
Published: 29th Sept 2015
Format: Hardcover, 220 pages
Genre: Humour, Christmas, Family, Mystery
ISBN: 9781447277897

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Fortunately The Milk – Cover Reveal

FTM_FINAL_8AprOh my goodness, Oh my goodness! Look what I found. What is not to love here? Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell, I totally love these guys. I must, must, must get my hands on this book. Unfortunately I have to wait until later in the year. How can you not adore these illustrations.

FTMAlso while I’m here lets hear from the wonderful author on what the book is about.

 

 

Category:

A Little Fun, Coming Soon, News

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Hugo Pepper

By: Paul Stewart

Illustrated By: Chris Riddell

Hugo Pepper was rescued from polar bears and left in the care of Harvi and Sarvi Runter Tun-Tun, when he was still a baby. The reindeer hearders loved him and gave him a good home, but when he was older Hugo felt he had to find out where he came from. Following the directions of the Compass of the Heart, Hugo finds himself in Firefly Square, a part of Harbour Heights where only a few residents still remain.

In amongst the intriguing characters of Firefly Square Hugo finds out all about his family, as well as so many other wonderful stories. When he discovers that someone is trying to get his new friends thrown out of their homes, he decides to do what he can to help them. In the process he finds family and solves a mystery generations old.

The story of Hugo Pepper is a charming and quirky tale from the masters of odd inventions and abstract moments. You might think the style in which the story is told – chapters and snippets of other characters lives thrown in between the chapters of Hugo’s story – would seem disjointed, but somehow it works.

This pair of storytellers work very well together. Riddell’s distinct illustrations fit so perfectly with Stewart’s text. This book, like Corby Flood, is one of the Far Flung Adventures series and was the recipient of the Nestle Prize Silver Medal. I have to say it is deserving of it. It’s a fun and silly read that is bound to intrigue a younger reader and hopefully continue in them a passion for exploring the wondrous lands books can show us.

Publisher: Yearling (imprint of Random House Children’s Books)

Published: 05 April 2007

Format: Paperback 272 pages

Categories: Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9780440866961

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Corby Flood

By: Paul Stewart

Illustrated By: Chris Riddell

Corby Flood is with her family on board the SS Euphonia. Her father has just suffered a great disappointment and now the family are moving to Harbour Heights. There aren’t many traveling on the ship as she is mostly a cargo vessel, long removed from her glory days as a luxury liner. Corby’s family are joined by the Hattenswiller’s, five members of the Brotherhood of the Clowns, the strange man from cabin 21, and the crew – the captain, Arthur and Jon-Jolyon.

Corby wishes the Euphonia would stop so she could explore some of the remarkable things she had read about. Things are not so boring on board though as there is the traditional Halfway There Ceremony, the creepy brotherhood to avoid and the need to find out just what is singing the sad song she can hear.

Corby Flood is a delightful, inquisitive girl who appears to observe much more than those around her. This is a fun story full of silliness and strange inventions. There are creepy, horrible bad guys, and a slimy wanna be boyfriend for Corby’s sister, and her boisterous siblings.

The style of this story can be summed up in two words; abstract and fun. The text, while filled with some actions and concepts that are a little strange (by which I mean not normal in an average day for most people – I dare not say for everyone), is easy to understand. The illustrations, in Riddell’s distinctive style, complement the story, adding to it’s joyousness.

This book is a wonderful choice for a reader at the top end of the 4-9 and younger end of the 8-12 reading range. It is an entertaining read with a nice touch of mystery. It is an award winning book (winner of the Nestle Prize Silver Award) for a reason and is part of the loosely connected series titled the Far Flung Adventures.

Publisher: Yearling (imprint – Random House Children’s Books)

Published: 06 April 2006

Format: Paperback 256 pages

Categories: Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9780440867265

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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The Graveyard Book

By: Neil Gaiman

Illustrations by: Chris Riddell

Nobody Owens is known as Bod, he used to have another name, before the man came to try and kill him. Bod survived by stumbling into a graveyard and being taken in by ghosts. Now he lives and is educated by the dead and has a guardian who belongs in neither the world of the loving or that of the dead. There are dangers in the graveyard certainly – ghouls and the strange sleer, but Bod has been given the Freedom of the Graveyard which offers him some protection. It is outside the graveyard though, in the land of the liviing, where the bigger dangers lie. For the man that killed Bod’s family has unfinished business with Bod.

Gaiman sweeps us so effectively into the world of the graveyard that is seems totally normal for Bod to be learning things like how to fade and dreamwalk. He weaves a story that draws you in. It starts from a single point, widens out to a bigger picture and neatly twists up at a single point to finish. You feel for Bod as he grows amongst the others yet is still so very alone. The cast of characters around him are varied, (a graveyard is a great leveler of race and social standing) yet in some ways they are as insubstantial as the ghosts they are. This is an intriguing and engaging story of love and friendship, proving the strength of these things in the most unlikely of situations. Gaiman, as always, takes us on a wonderful dance through the darkness, though in this case it’s more through the twilight hours.

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published: 05 October 2009

Format: Paperback 304 pages

Categories: Ghost, Fantasy, Horror

ISBN 13: 9780747594802

Purchase: here or use logo on side of page to link to Booktopia

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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The Emperor of Absurdia

By: Chris Riddell

Absurdia is a strange and wonderful land, a place where nothing is quite what it seems. Umbrellas are trees, meals are all mixed up and pillows are hills. it is all very odd.

Join the Little Emperor as he searches for his lost snuggly scarf and sets off on a dragon hunt.

A delightful story set in a strange and somehow appealing dreamscape. The story is fun to read and the illustrations are detailed, a little odd and bring a joyful smile to my face. I’m sure we all need something a little absurd in our lives from time to time. Oh and watch out for the Wardrobe Monster.

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Published: 01 June 2007

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Picture Books

ISBN 13: 9781405090285

Purchase: here

Category:

Picture Books

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