Monday, 18 September 2023

The Best Children's Book Picks SEPTEMBER 2023 - US Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 


Introducing our delightful children's book picks for September 2023! This month, we have a collection of fantastic tales that will spark imagination and captivate readers. From whimsical adventures to heartwarming stories, these books are sure to bring joy to children of all ages. Let the magic unfold as we embark on a journey through the pages of these wonderful stories!

Coco Ma - Nightbreaker - Published by Viking Books for Young Readers (19 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593621462 - Hardback - Age: 14+ 

Fifteen years ago, The Vanishing thrust Manhattan into darkness, forever changing the City That Never Sleeps. By day, resilient New Yorkers have adapted, clinging to the vestiges of their cosmopolitan lives. By night―well, you never go out at night unless you have a death wish. Or unless you're Rei Reynolds. Rei attends an exclusive New York prep school, but unlike her classmates, she welcomes nightfall. That's when she can secretly hunt Deathlings, the deadly creatures that have prowled Manhattan's subway tunnels and blood-soaked streets since the Vanishing. After they brutally slaughtered her parents years ago, Rei is desperate for vengeance. To get it, Rei must qualify for―and win―the Tournament, a competition to join the ranks of the city’s legendary Deathling hunters. Rei’s nightly pursuits should give her an advantage, but the other competitors are fierce, and in some cases familiar: enter Kieran Cross, Rei’s most infuriating rival . . . and ex-boyfriend. As the Tournament progresses―and the cutthroat competition escalates―everything Rei believed about who she can trust is called into question. Soon enough, she’s caught in the crosshairs of the elite who want to keep the city's ruling class in power, as well as those who will stop at nothing to bring it down. Because sometimes it's not the monsters waiting in the dark you should fear . . . it's the ones who dare to walk into the light. Coco Ma's exhilarating urban fantasy thrusts readers into an immersive world of thrills and chills, featuring the smart, sardonic post-apocalyptic heroine you’ll soon wish you could be.

Janelle McCurdy - The Traitor of Nubis: 2 (Umbra Tales) - Published by Aladdin (19 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665901307 - Hardback - Age: 7+

Mia grapples with the responsibility of her new powers and uncovers even more of Nubis's secrets in this thrilling second book in the Umbra Tales middle-grade series that's Keeper of the Lost Cities meets The Golden Compass.

The Reaper King's attempt to break free and thrust the rest of the Kingdom of Lunis into darkness has been thwarted, but all is still not well in Nubis, Mia's moonlit kingdom home. The whole city is on guard for another attempt to resurrect the Reaper King. Though imprisoned, his followers, the Elite, are still inside the city, and tensions among the population are at an all-time high. 

Meanwhile, Mia struggles to cope with her new Lightcaster powers and to fit in with the rest of the tamers, many of whom are skeptical of her abilities. But it's the appearance of old friends and new maybe-enemies that will truly put Mia's abilities--and the loyalties of everyone she trusts--to the test.


Karl Hiaasen- ‎ Wrecker - 
Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 26, 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593376287 - Hardback - Age: 9+

Wrecker needs to deal with smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas—just as soon as he finishes Zoom school. Welcome to another wild adventure in Carl Hiaasen's Florida!

Valdez Jones VIII calls himself Wrecker because his great-great-great-great-great-grandfather salvaged shipwrecks for a living. 

So is it destiny, irony, or just bad luck when Wrecker comes across a speedboat that has run hard aground on a sand flat? The men in the boat don't want Wrecker to call for help—in fact, they'll pay him to forget he ever saw them. 

Wrecker would be happy to forget, but he keeps seeing these men all over Key West—at the marina, in the cemetery, even right outside his own door. And now they want more than his silence—they want a lookout.

He'll have to dive deep into their shady dealings to figure out a way to escape 
this tangled net. . . .


Lindsay Currie - It Fund Us -  Sourcebooks Young Readers (September 5, 2023) - 
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1728259499 - Hardback - Age: 7+

From the author of Scritch Scratch and The Girl in White comes a new spooky mystery about a girl detective who must decode a series of ominous clues tied to a century-old tragedy to find a missing teenager before it's too late…

Twelve-year-old Hazel Woods has always had an unusual knack for sleuthing. Some may call it snooping, but all she really wants is to solve mysteries around town. So, when she not-so-accidentally overhears her brother Den planning to sneak into the cemetery at night for an epic game of hide-and-seek, she decides to secretly tag along. This seems like the perfect opportunity to investigate the claims that the cemetery is haunted.

But the moment the game ends, Hazel realizes something is very, very wrong. From her hiding spot in the bushes, she overhears that her brother's best friend, Everett, is missing. Everyone else was found by the seeker but there's no sign of Everett anywhere. It's as if he just . . . vanished

Hazel and Den are determined to find Everett before it's too late. But as they begin to unravel the terrifying clues that started appearing since that night in the graveyard–eerie whispers that sound like someone counting, the intermittent smell of smoke, and the cold, lost presence that follows them everywhere, she's not sure what they are dealing with. But Everett needs more than search parties and scent-tracking dogs to find him, especially if his disappearance is tied to the history of the cemetery, and the lost, century-old spirits that might still be trapped there . . .



Ethan M. Aldridge -  Deephaven - Published by
Quill Tree Books (September 5, 2023) - 
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063283169 - Hardback - Age: 7+ 


From Ethan M. Aldridge, bestselling creator of Estranged, comes a gothic middle-grade prose novel that follows a nonbinary student who is drawn to their boarding school’s forbidden east wing, where something stalks the shadowy corridors. Perfect for fans of J. A. White and Mary Downing Hahn!

When Guinevere "Nev" Tallow receives an acceptance letter to the exclusive Deephaven Academy, they know it’s the fresh start that they’ve been looking for.

But things are strange from the moment they arrive—the house itself seems to breathe, students whisper secrets in dark corridors, and the entire east wing of the academy is locked away for reasons no one wants to explain. And Nev knows something ragged stalks the shadowy corridors, something that sobs quietly and scratches at the walls, waiting to be released.

With the help of another first-year student, Nev takes it upon themself to unravel the mysteries hidden in Deephaven's halls. But will they risk their fresh start to bring the academy’s secret to light?

Thursday, 14 September 2023

Nicola Davies (Author), Jackie Morris (Illustrator) - Skrimsli - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

"Skirmsli" by Nicola Davies is a captivating and thought-provoking children's book that takes readers on an immersive journey into the natural world and beyond. It is due to be published, this September 14th, as a gloriously illustrated hardback format by Welsh indie children's publisher, Firefly Press. The book cover and pictures are illustrated by the talented Jackie Morris - they are absolutely breathtaking. The book cover is definitely a personal favourite of mine this year, so far! 

Set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, this vivid story explores themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of protecting the environment which, as we know, is very topical at the moment. The narrative starts slowly as we follow the adventures of Skirmsli (a tiger cub) as he embarks on a quest to save his family and their precious habitat from impending danger. Through Skirmsli's eyes, readers are introduced to a wonderful diverse cast of characters, both animal and human, in a world where animals and humans can sometimes share their thoughtsThe author skillfully weaves a narrative that seamlessly combines drama, humour, and really heartfelt realistic moments, making it a powerful must-read for children and adults of all ages.

"One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to educate while entertaining" 

Skirmsli by Nicola Davies is a moving and good follow-up to The Song that Sings Us. It's a cleverly written educational children's book that effortlessly combines adventure, environmental themes, and engaging characters. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural world as it encourages young readers to embrace curiosity and empathy. With its vivid illustrations and inspiring narrative, Skirmsli is a valuable addition to any reading list. It will certainly spark a love for nature exploration and the wonders the world holds. The story is a journey for the bold and the brave so purchase a copy and enjoy the adventure. BUY TODAY!



Tuesday, 5 September 2023

Claire Fayers - Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine - Blog Tour - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 


Welcome to readers and all sixty-seven cousins of Tapper Watson as we embark on another exciting Blog Tour stop. Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine is one of our favourite reads of the year. Therefore, we’re delighted to have a post from the author introducing The World of Tapper Watson – A Guide for New Adventurers and really hope that you enjoy finding out more. You can also read our raving review for the book HERE. 


The book is due to be published by all eight limbs of the publishing house (otherwise known as Firefly Press) on the 7th September 2023. Hope you enjoy it and see you on the next BIG ADVENTURE! 


Greetings, adventurers and welcome to Swansea, the capital of Earth and home to Earth’s only portal into the river Lethe.

Before you travel, there are a few things you should know.


SMILE - the Swansea Multiworld Institute of Lethe Exploration is situated on the far side of Swansea Bay. SMILE is Earth’s largest exploration and research centre, attracting visitors from hundreds of different worlds. The guards here have many powers: to grant and revoke submarine licenses, to confiscate goods and even issue arrest warrants. They take their jobs very seriously. It is said that the only thing a SMILE guard cannot do is actually smile, so please do not annoy them.


Submarines – These, of course, are our means of travel between worlds. We exit Earth via Swansea Bay and you may experience a momentary weight loss as you enter the Lethe. Your vessel will be fully equipped with the latest artificial gravity so do not worry.


The Lethe – The great space river is our pathway to a thousand other worlds. It is, of course, named after the Greek river of forgetfulness. You knew that, didn’t you? You will also know that the Lethe’s waters contain the memories of everyone who has ever lived, and that drinking a single drop will strip every memory out of your head. Submarines are tightly sealed so there is no cause for alarm, however, if you do notice a drop of water on your person, do not panic, but keep your mouth tightly shut and report to your submarine captain, using Morse Code, or mime.


Morse Code – As you are all aware, radio waves upset the waters of the Lethe, causing riverstorms, and so all submarines communicate by Morse Code. I assume you are all fluent in Morse, but if not, I suggest you brush up on your skills quickly.


Echolings – The memories in the Lethe are in constant motion and as they collide, they merge to create strange new shapes. Don’t be surprised if you spot a duck with an elephant’s trunk, or a teapot floating past your submarine window. Despite recent warnings of “incidents”, echolings are not alive and they are not dangerous. Most of them are insubstantial, like ghosts, and the few that take solid form will simply bounce away from the submarine. 


Worlds – Our first stop will be the octopod world, Zymandia. Take time to enjoy the pastel rivers and the curious towns on stilts. The low gravity means you will see the octopods flying. Please do not try to fly yourselves, the gravity is not that low.

From Zymandia, we will proceed to the fire world of Cassini where the dragonlike inhabitants have evolved scales that change colour according to their mood. Remember – a pale dragona is an angry dragona.

Our final stop will be a shopping trip to Eris. We allowed extra time for this as the Erisean merchants will ask you about your families and tell you all about theirs before letting you buy anything. A large family is a sign of status on Eris and it’s customary to have at least eight brothers and sisters.

Thank you for listening to this safety announcement. Now, please buckle up and enjoy the ride.




Sunday, 3 September 2023

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Best Children's Book Picks September 2023


Nicola Davies (Author), Jackie Morris (Illustrator) - Skrimsli - Published by Firefly Press (14 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913102807 - Hardback 

“ Immersive, breathtaking visionary and an illustrated delight ” – Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Who are you if you’ve never seen another face like yours? Where do you belong if you don’t know where your home is? What do you call yourself when others call you ‘freak'...? Skrimsli is a second fantasy adventure from author Nicola Davies, set in a world where animals and humans can sometimes share their thoughts. It traces the early life of Skrimsli, the tiger sea captain who stole readers’ hearts in The Song that Sings Us. He and his friends, Owl and Kal, must first escape the clutches of tyrannical circus owner Kobret Majak and his twin assassin-acrobats, then stop a war and save an ancient forest! Skrimsli and his friends are helped by desert princess the Palatine and her eagle, a chihuahua who thinks she’s a wolf, a horse with heart of gold and the crew of a very unusual ship. This is a story full of excitement and danger, that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, identity and love, in the context of some of humanity’s toughest problems.

Sarah Todd Taylor - Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire!: A Sprinkling of Danger - Published by Nosy Crow Ltd (14 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1839948855 - Paperback 

Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire will whisk you away on a fabulous adventure, full of daring action and delicious cakes!

Baker by day, spy by night - Alice Éclair leads an exciting double life!

On a glamorous movie set at the Palace of Versailles, someone is leaking national secrets. Is it the American director with the shady past, or the flamboyant lead actress whose Renaissance wig is full of secrets? Or is it someone so devious, Alice hasn't even noticed them? Whoever it is, this person has a deadly plan...
Armed with a light sponge mix and an airy disregard for danger, Alice Éclair is on the case! And she'll need to use every trick in her recipe book to survive this mission...
A Sprinkling of Danger is Alice's third adventure and can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire series. Look out for Alice's other missions, A Recipe for Trouble and A Spoonful of Spying!

Hannah Gold (Author), Levi Pinfold (Illustrator) - Finding Bear - Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books (28 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008582012 - Hardback 

The unmissable follow-up to the phenomenal bestselling and award-winning The Last Bear. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold and perfect for readers 8+

April Wood has returned home from her adventure on Bear Island. But, over a year later, she can’t stop thinking about Bear.

When April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard, she’s convinced it’s her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. So begins an unforgettable journey across frozen tundra and icy glaciers.

But along the way, she discovers much more than she bargained for – a tiny polar bear cub, desperately in need of her help. In freezing temperatures, April must navigate the dangerous Arctic terrain and face her deepest fears if she’s to save him.

Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, Finding Bear is a stunning story of survival and a heartwarming tale of love that shows us how hope is born from the smallest of beginnings.


Claire Fayers - Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine -  Published by Firefly Press (7 Sept. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915444158 - Paperback 

Tapper Watson is just an ordinary Erisean boy who loves adventure stories. But when one of his sixty-seven cousins sends him away on a smugglers’ submarine through the River Lethe to other worlds, he just wants to go home again. On an unscheduled visit to Earth he meets Fern Shakespeare, and a talking plant called Morse, and their adventures begin. And when he finds himself being chased through worlds by a pair of trigger-happy lobster mobsters in search of the mysterious Nemo Machine, Tapper begins to realise that he might not be so ordinary after all…

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Stéphane Servant - MONSTERS - Translated by Sarah Ardizzone Illustrated by Nicolas Zouliamis - Book Preview - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

  It all starts when a travelling circus arrives in a small village... Everyone is intrigued and excited to see the show, which is said to f...