Thursday, 17 September 2026

Paulina Palacios - As Yubooh Slumbers, Vol. 1 - Graphic Novel Book Pick (October 2026) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Yubooh has always believed in magic. Her best friend, Salvia, insists Saturn Academy is *just* a prestigious school. Then the lights go out, and nobody's pretending anymore.

Tiny problem: Yubooh has no magic at night. So when she sleeps, her classmates become an unpaid night-shift bodyguard squad — and something called the Code Fish alarm starts ringing. Gorgeous anime art, floating fish, and a heroine who is both the mystery and the liability. Cozy, creepy, and utterly charming — read it in one sitting, then panic about Volume 2.

Look, I picked up As Yubooh Slumbers, Volume 1, thinking, "Sure, another boarding school, another plucky heroine who believes in magic." I put it down thinking, "WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT THE CODE FISH?"

**The good stuff:**

- Friendship as the actual plot. Not a garnish. The whole thing.

- Mystery that keeps you flipping pages like you're being paid per plot twist.

- Humor that lands, even when the shadows are doing their ominous looming thing.

- Emotions. Real ones. Sneaky ones. The kind that ambushes you on a Tuesday.

**The not-so-good stuff:**

- There's no age rating listed, so you'll have to do that classic "I'll just read a bit to check" dance. You'll be checking for a while.

- It's Volume 1. Which means it ends. Which means you'll be furious. Which means you'll pre-order Volume 2. The system works.

Verdict: Part cozy magic school, part sleepover horror, part "everyone protect the oblivious new girl." If you've ever wanted a book where the stakes are high, the friends are loyal, and the school alarm is named after a fish, this is it. Buy it, gift it, then text your friend at 2 a.m. about Esteban. 💫

Published by Tokyopop Press Inc (20 Oct. 2026)




Sunday, 13 September 2026

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler - Gruffalo Granny Signed Book Giveaway Competition (Waterstones London Book Event 2026)



I was very lucky to have been able to attend the Piccadilly Waterstone's signing event by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Friday 11th September) to launch the much-anticipated Gruffalo Granny book. 

The event was very well attended and was a truly magical experience with fans of all ages queuing to meet the Gruffalo, Julia, and Axel. I managed to get down to the special Gruffalo room displaying all of their books, as well as providing a unique space for storytelling activities for children. 

To celebrate the launch, this event, and the fact that many people wanted to attend but couldn't, we are giving away a Gruffalo Granny first edition signed by both, which has also been stamped and dated for the event (see photo below). This is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a special copy and enjoy the third installment of the Gruffalo's adventures.



Competition - How do I enter?
To have a chance to win you need to comment and share on this blog post or any of our social media posts (e.g., Thread, Instagram, Facebook or X).
Closing date is Sunday, 27th September 2026 and a competition winner will be picked at random on Monday, 28th September. The winner will then be notified on Monday, 28th September, by social media or email.
This competition is only open to UK postal addresses.

Good luck - we might be contacting you very soon!