Friday, 22 November 2024

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS: Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition - ROUND THREE - 2024/25

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers.  Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word as we embark on another year of discovering extraordinary artistry that brings enchanting stories to life through the power of illustrations. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and be a part of this remarkable celebration of children's illustration and design! Previous winners HERE!

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Competition Rules 

There will be FIVE (3 OF 5) weekly heats; each with SIX books to vote for. Although there will be 7 book covers in the final to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final plus two book covers WITH the highest number of votes from all the previous heats.

ROUND ONE WINNER: Susan Cahill - The World Between the Rain - Published by Everything with Words (24 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Holly Ovenden. 

ROUND TWO WINNER: Kevin Moran - The Doomsday - Published by O'Brien Press (3 March 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Tomislav Tikulin - Cover design by Emma Byrne 

Each week you vote you will be in with a chance to win an exciting prize. 

This week's great prize is a £10 Book Voucher/Reece Carter - The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston-Fright and a bar of chocolate. Good luck everybody! 

If you are interested all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll HERE  (or at the bottom of the post)
  • Leave a comment through this post/poll or see pinned Tweet/X or other socials for more details on @Enchantedbooks
  • This poll will end on the 29th of November 2024 at Midnight (UK). 

Have fun and please share with the world through X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Watch the voting develop, and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed).

Here are the six brilliant book covers to vote for this week: 

BOOK ONE: Jennifer Bell - Magicalia: Thief of Shadows - Published by Walker Books (6 Feb. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by David Wyatt - VOTE HERE

BOOK TWO: Eoin Colfer - Beanie the Bansheenie - Published by Walker Books (31 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by Steve McCarthy - VOTE HERE

BOOK THREE: Cornelia Funke - The Colour of Revenge - Published by Chicken House (10 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Karl James Mountford - VOTE HERE

BOOK FOUR: Rhian Tracey - Wink, Murder: a Bletchley Park Mystery - Published by Piccadilly Press (13 Feb. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by David Dean - VOTE HERE



BOOK FIVE: Kate Thompson - Yetis Don't Exist! - Published by Templar Publishing (7 Nov. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by Loretta Schauer - VOTE HERE

BOOK SIX: Mel Taylor-BessentRace to Echoes Edge - Published by Farshore (27 Mar. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Alessandro D'Urso - VOTE HERE

Happy Voting! 

Sunday, 10 November 2024

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS: Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition - ROUND TWO - 2024/25

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers.  Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word as we embark on another year of discovering extraordinary artistry that brings enchanting stories to life through the power of illustrations. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and be a part of this remarkable celebration of children's illustration and design! Previous winners HERE!

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Competition Rules 

There will be FIVE (2 OF 5) weekly heats; each with SIX books to vote for. Although there will be 7 book covers in the final to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final plus two book covers WITH the highest number of votes from all the previous heats. 

CONGRATULATIONS! ROUND ONE WINNER: Susan Cahill - The World Between the Rain - Published by Everything with Words (24 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Holly Ovenden. ( 243 VOTES) See you in the FINAL! 

Each week you vote you will be in with a chance to win an exciting prize. 

This week's great prize is a £10 Book Voucher and A. M. Howell - The Royal Jewel Plot and a bar of chocolate. Good luck everybody! 

If you are interested all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll HERE  (or at the bottom of the post)
  • Leave a comment through this post/poll or see pinned Tweet/X or other socials for more details on @Enchantedbooks
  • This poll will end on the 18th of November 2024 at Midnight (UK). 

Have fun and please share with the world through X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Watch the voting develop, and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed).

Here are the six brilliant book covers to vote for this week: 

BOOK ONE: Cathy FitzGerald - Pinch Perkins and the Nightmare Tree - Published by Farshore (30 Jan. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Chloe Dominique - VOTE HERE 

BOOK TWO: Jamie Hammond - Grumpfort -  Published by Usborne Publishing (13 Mar. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Jamie Hammond - VOTE HERE 

BOOK THREE: Lucy Strange - Lockett & Wilde's Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor - Published by Walker Books (19 Sept. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Pam Smy -  VOTE HERE 

BOOK FOUR: Piers Torday - Midnight Treasure - Published by Quercus Children's Books (5 Sept. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Alla Khatkevich - VOTE HERE 

BOOK FIVE: Kevin Moran - The Doomsday - Published by O'Brien Press (3 March 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Tomislav Tikulin - Cover design by Emma Byrne - VOTE HERE

BOOK SIX:  David Barker - PAX and the Forgotten Pincher - Published by Tiny Tree Books (10 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Bruna Oliveira Marini - VOTE HERE 

HAPPY VOTING! 








Abi Elphinstone - Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix (Book Two) - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 


In "Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix," Abi Elphinstone captivates readers once again with a spellbinding adventure-packed tale that takes us deep into a fantastical world brimming with danger. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Arctic Circle, this second book in the magical series is a testament to Elphinstone’s ability to weave intricate plots with rich, vibrant, and imaginative characters.

Ember Spark’s journey as an apprentice to see Rusty Fizzbang, the vet for magical creatures, is a thrilling ride from the very first page. Guided by a baby frost phoenix, Ember's quest to save the migrating neverwhales evolves into a gripping race against time. As she navigates the icy landscapes and faces the evil Jasper Hornswoggle (such a great name!) readers find themselves on an exhilarating rollercoaster of emotions. The author's storytelling prowess really shines balancing high-stakes action with beautiful moments of warmth and camaraderie.

Brilliantly illustrated by Kristina Kister, the book comes alive with its stunning cover and illustrations that complement the enchanting narrative. Each illustration serves as a portal into Elphinstone's world as they invite readers to immerse themselves fully in the magic and wonder of Ember's journey. 

What makes "Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix" truly remarkable is its underlying themes of bravery, compassion, and the importance of standing up for those who cannot protect themselves. Ember is a relatable heroine whose determination and kindness will inspire readers of all ages to embrace their own adventures and confront challenges head-on.

This book is not just a story, it’s a celebration of the spirit of adventure and the bonds we forge in the face of adversity. Elphinstone has crafted a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming, ensuring that it will resonate with readers long after they turn the last page. 

Published by Simon & Schuster Children's UK (24 Oct. 2024).

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐**

**Links:**
- [Simon & Schuster Children's UK](https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk)
- [Abi Elphinstone's Official Website](https://www.abielphinstone.com)
- [Kristina Kister's Portfolio](https://www.kristinakister.com)


Friday, 1 November 2024

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS: Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition - ROUND ONE - 2024/25

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers.  Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word as we embark on another year of discovering extraordinary artistry that brings enchanting stories to life through the power of illustrations. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and be a part of this remarkable celebration of children's illustration and design! Previous winners HERE!

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Competition Rules 

There will be FIVE weekly heats; each with SIX books to vote for. Although there will be 7 book covers in the final to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final plus two book covers WITH the highest number of votes from all the previous heats. 

Each week you vote you will be in with a chance to win an exciting prize. 

This week's great prize is a £10 Book Voucher/Hardback book by Cressida Cowell - Which Way Round the Galaxy and a bar of chocolate. Good luck everybody! 

If you are interested all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll HERE  (or at the bottom of the post)
  • Leave a comment through this post/poll or see pinned Tweet/X or other socials for more details on @Enchantedbooks
  • This poll will end on the 8th of November 2024 at Midnight (UK). 

Have fun and please share with the world through X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Watch the voting develop, and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed).

Here are the six brilliant book covers to vote for this week: 

BOOK ONE: Philippa Leathley - Inkbound - Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books (30 Jan. 2025) -  Book Cover Illustration by Brie Schmida - VOTE HERE

BOOK TWO: Tom Palmer - Angel of Grasmere - Published by Barrington Stoke (9 May 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Tom Clohosy Cole - VOTE HERE 

BOOK THREE: M. G. Leonard - Hunt for the Golden Scarab - Published by Macmillan Children's Books (30 Jan. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Manuel Å umberac - VOTE HERE

BOOK FOUR: Susan Cahill - The World Between the Rain - Published by Everything with Words (24 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Holly Ovenden - VOTE HERE

BOOK FIVE: Liz Hyder - The Twelve - Published by Pushkin Children's Books (10 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Tom DE Freston - VOTE HERE

BOOK SIX: Sarah Harrison - School of Doom - Published by Chicken House (13 Mar. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Isabelle Follath - VOTE HERE

HAPPY VOTING! 


Featured post

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...