Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Children's Book Picks UK - April 2023

 

Lee Newbery (Author), Laura Catalán (Illustrator) - The First Shadowdragon (The Last Firefox) - Published by Puffin (27 April 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241628560 - Paperback - Age: 7+

All legends start somewhere . . .

After defeating the evil Grendilock and saving Cadno, the last firefox, Charlie Challinor is looking forward to a well-earned rest. But when a familiar face appears from the realm of Fargone, Charlie's family is once again swept up into adventure.

Along with Lippy, Roo and new magical friend Blodyn, Charlie must travel to Fargone to face the dreaded Draig, the shadowy monster that is slowly draining the life from the land - and uncover the lost secret that links Draig's history to Charlie's own . . .

Justyn Edwards - The Great Fox Heist (The Great Fox Books) - Published by Walker Books (6 April 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1529501957 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

The stakes are high in this fast-paced mystery adventure starring young magician Flick Lions. The second book in the Great Fox series.
How well do you really know someone...?

Flick is a magician who needs answers. Her father is still missing, and top illusionist the Great Fox doesn't seem interested in finding him, despite his promises. Meanwhile, she and her friend Charlie must represent the Great Fox in a new competition in the Swiss town of Linth. The Global Order of Magic is electing a new chancellor, and the Fox insists that if he wins, it will help – but Flick isn't so sure. Determined to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance and of The Bell System, his greatest and most mysterious magic trick, Flick must pull off an impossible diamond heist to win. But danger lurks around every corner, and nothing is what it seems.

Jess Butterworth (Author), Rob Biddulph (Illustrator) - Lost on Gibbon Island - Published by Orion Children's Books (13 April 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1510110328 - Paperback - Age: 8+

The Last Bear meets The Life of Pi in this adventure-filled survival story set on a lush Cambodian island! Meet 12-year-old Lark, who finds herself ship-wrecked with no one but a baby gibbon for company. Can she survive storms, lack of food and jelly-fish infested waters and find her way home?

'If you're reading this, hopefully you've come to rescue me. My name is Lark Taylor, and I've been shipwrecked on an island. The last mainland I was on was Cambodia, miles and miles away from home...'

When Lark's mum takes her family with her on a research trip to Cambodia, Lark never expects that she'll end up stranded on a deserted island! But that's exactly what happens when her boat is shipwrecked.

With her only companion a baby gibbon, Lark faces many dangers - brutal storms, scorching sunshine and jellyfish-infested waters. And with dwindling food and water, she must make a plan to find her way off the island before it's too late...

Formatted as Lark's diary with lined journal pages, gorgeous design details and a special map of Gibbon Island by Rob Biddulph, this is a gorgeous survival story that will have you on the edge of your seat.

David O'Connell (Author) Seb Burnett (Illustrator) - The Smidgens United - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (13 April 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526640604 - Paperback - Age: 7 

The third book in David O'Connell's funny and magical series about tiny people having ENORMOUS adventures! Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Max and the Millions and The Borrowers

The final battle to save the Smidgens has begun! In order to defeat the evil Claudia Slymark and her ghosts once and for all, Gafferty and her friends must reunite the three Smidgen clans, and stop anyone piecing back together the legendary Mirror of Trokanis. The race is on to find the remaining fragment. Will Gafferty save the day?

Liz Flanagan (Author), Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator) - Wildsmith: City of Secrets (The Wildsmith) - Published by UCLan Publishing (6 April 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915235077 - Paperback - Age: 7

Rowan starts to embrace her gifts as a magical Wildsmith who heals and speaks to animals. But saving a young pegasus brings difficult decisions. Danger comes closer than ever, threatening her family and even Rowan’s own life. When she is betrayed, which friends can she trust? With her family divided and war still raging, where does Rowan belong now?

APRIL 2023

Book Review: Daniel Dockery - Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree - HERE

Author Interview: Yvonne Banham - The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie -  Author Interview - HERE