Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts

Monday, 19 December 2016

MR RIPLEY'S BOOK COVER WARS FINAL 2016/17 - EMILY BARR BOOK COMPETITION

Here we go again....
Over the last four weeks, different authors and illustrators and publishers have battled for their book covers to be voted into the grand final. As a result, we now have five worthy winners who have the chance to be crowned with the title 'Mr Ripley's Enchanted book cover of the year'. So without any further waiting, let the final battle of Book Cover Wars commence . . . . 

A very big thanks to you the authors and illustrators who have got behind their book covers. 

As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your final favourite book cover, but you will also be in with the chance to win, A PROOF copy of Emily Barr - The One Memory of Flora Banks. 

If you are interested then all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll at the bottom of the page. 
  • Leave a comment through this post or poll 
  • Spread the word on social media Twitter/Facebook #BOOKCOVERWARS 
  • Sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed). 
  • This poll will end midnight 27th December 2016 
So here are the five book covers to vote for:
Book One: Lucy Strange - The Secret of Nightingale Wood - Book Cover by - Helen Crawford-White - Published by Chicken House Ltd, Oct. 2016. 
Book Two: Alexander Gordon Smith - Book Cover by Andrew Arnold - The Devils's Engine: Hellfighters Bk2 - Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (November 1, 2016)


Book Three: Rob Lloyd Jones - Book Cover by Petur Antonsson - Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake - Published by Walker Books (5. Jan 2017) 
Book Four:  Cameron McAllister - Book Cover artwork by Jeff Nentrup - The Demon Undertaker - Published by Corgi Children's (1 Sept. 2016) 
Book Five: Roderick Gordon - Summerhouse Land - Book Cover by Stanley Donwood - Published by Mathew & Son Limited -  (20 Jun. 2016) 




Happy Voting All!

Thursday, 8 December 2016

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOK COVER WARS - HEAT FOUR 2016 + JEFF KINNEY BOOK GIVEAWAY

It is a delight to have your company in the book cover war zonePlease make sure that you vote and enjoy the experience. Don't forget to share this exciting adventure with your friends and followers - everyone is welcome. #Bookcoverwars

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover War Rules:
There will be four weekly heats with five book covers to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final. However, one more entry will also be entered into the final; this will be the book cover with the most votes from the other four heats as the highest runner up. 

Heat one Winner:  Alexander Gordon Smith - The Devil's Engine: Hellfighters Bk2 - Book Cover by Andrew Arnold - (171 Votes)

Heat two Winner: Book One: Rob Lloyd Jones - Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake - Book Cover by Petur Antonsson - (168 Votes)

Heat three Winner: Lucy Strange - The Secret of Nightingale Wood - Book Cover by - Helen Crawford-White - (52 Votes)

As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your favorite book cover, but you will also be in with the chance to win a different special book each week. Therefore, in order to kick off the competition this week, we have an amazing book which is the latest hardback book - Jeff Kinney - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down. 

If you are interested then all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favorite book cover using the poll - VOTE HERE
  • Leave a comment through this post or poll - VOTE HERE
  • Mention it on Twitter/Facebook any place you like!  #BOOKCOVERWARS 
  • Sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed). Please note that this book giveaway competition is  only open to the UK only.
  • This poll will end 16th December 2016 at midnight UK time. 
So here are the five book covers to vote for this week:

Book One: Roderick Gordon - Summerhouse Land - Book Cover by Stanley Donwood - Published by Mathew & Son Limited -  (20 Jun. 2016) - VOTE HERE

Book Two: Cornelia Funke - The Golden Yarn (MirrorWorld) - Book Cover by Cornelia Funke - Published by Pushkin Children's Books (3 Nov. 2016) - VOTE HERE

Book Three: Sara Pennypacker - Pax - Book Cover by Jon Klassen - Published by HarperCollins Children's Books (25 Feb. 2016) - VOTE HERE
Book Four: Ross Montgomery - Perijee & Me - Book Cover by David Litchfield - Published by Faber & Faber (3 Mar. 2016) - VOTE HERE


Book Five: Frances Hardinge - The Lie Tree (Illustrated Version) Book Cover by Chris Riddell - Published by Macmillan (20 Oct. 2016) - VOTE HERE 

Happy Voting all!









Wednesday, 23 November 2016

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOK COVER WARS - HEAT THREE 2016/17 + NICOLA YOON BOOK COMPETITION

Here we are again, Oh yes, Mr Ripley's Book Cover Wars is back again for another exciting year and we are looking for a new worthy winner. If you are returning to the site for another year, or you are new to this competition, then I send you a very warm welcome. 

It is a delight to have your company in the book cover war zonePlease make sure that you vote and enjoy the experience. Don't forget to share this exciting adventure with your friends and followers - everyone is welcome. #Bookcoverwars

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover War Rules:
There will be four weekly heats with five book covers to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final. However, one more entry will also be entered into the final; this will be the book cover with the most votes from the other four heats as the highest runner up. 

Heat one Winner:  Alexander Gordon Smith - The Devil's Engine: Hellfighters Bk2 - Book Cover by Andrew Arnold - (171 Votes)

Heat two Winner: Book One: Rob Lloyd Jones - Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake - Book Cover by Petur Antonsson - (168 Votes)

As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your favorite book cover, but you will also be in with the chance to win a different special book each week. Therefore, in order to kick off the competition this week, we have an amazing book which is a proof copy, The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Moon.  

If you are interested then all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favorite book cover using the poll - VOTE HERE
  • Leave a comment through this post or poll - VOTE HERE
  • Mention it on Twitter/Facebook any place you like!  #BOOKCOVERWARS 
  • Sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed). Please note that this book giveaway competition is  only open to the UK only.
  • This poll will end  30th November 2016 at midnight UK time. 
So here are the five book covers to vote for this week:

Book One: Christopher Edge - The Jamie Drake Equation - Book Cover by Matt Saunders - Published by Nosy Crow, Feb. 2017. - VOTE HERE




Book Two: Huw Powell - The Pirate King (Spacejackers) - Book Cover by Alex Fuentes - Published by Bloomsbury, Jan. 2017. - VOTE HERE 


Book Three: Lucy Strange - The Secret of Nightingale Wood - Book Cover by - Helen Crawford-White - Published by Chicken House Ltd, Oct. 2016.  - VOTE HERE



Book Four: Lisa Thompson - The Goldfish Boy - Book Cover by Mike Lowery - Published by Scholastic, Jan. 2017 - VOTE HERE



Book Five: Will Mabbitt -  Mabel Jones and the Doomsday Book - Book Cover by Ross Collins - Published by Puffin, Feb. 2017 - VOTE HERE




Tuesday, 8 November 2016

MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOK COVER WARS - FANTASY FAB HEAT TWO 2016/17 + BOOK COMPETITION (Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs)

Here we are again, Oh yes, Mr Ripley's Book Cover Wars is back again for another exciting year and we are looking for a new worthy winner. If you are returning to the site for another year, or you are new to this competition, then I send you a very warm welcome. 

It is a delight to have your company in the book cover war zonePlease make sure that you vote and enjoy the experience. Don't forget to share this exciting adventure with your friends and followers - everyone is welcome. #Bookcoverwars

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover War Rules:
There will be four weekly heats with five book covers to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final. However, one more entry will also be entered into the final; this will be the book cover with the most votes from the other four heats as the highest runner up. 

Congratulations! Heat One Winner:  Alexander Gordon Smith - The Devils's Engine: Hellfighters Bk2 - Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (November 1, 2016) Book Cover by Andrew Arnold - (171 Votes brilliant stuff) 

As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your favourite book cover, but you will also be in with the chance to win a different special book each week. Therefore, in order to kick off the competition this week we have an amazing book which is a hardback copy, Tales of the Peculiar - Ransom Riggs. 

If you are interested then all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll - VOTE HERE
  • Leave a comment through this post or poll - VOTE HERE
  • Mention it on Twitter/Facebook any place you like!  #BOOKCOVERWARS 
  • Sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed). Please note that this book giveaway competition is  only open to the UK only.
  • This poll will end 15th November 2016 at midnight UK time. 
So here are the five book covers to vote for this week:

Book One: Rob Lloyd Jones/Petur Antonsson - Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake - Published by Walker Books (5. Jan 2017) - VOTE NOW HERE


Book Two: Andy Briggs/Sam Perrett - Gravity (The Inventory) - Published by Scholastic Press (6. Oct 2016) - VOTE NOW HERE


Book Three: Peter Bunzl/Becca Stadtlander - CogHeart - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (1 Sept. 2016) - VOTE HERE NOW


Book Four: Curtis Jobling/Blacksheep - Max Helsing and the Beast of Bone Creek: Book 2 - Published by Orchard Books (12 Jan. 2017) - VOTE HERE NOW



Book Five - M. G. Leonard/Julia Sarda/Helen Crawford - Beetle Queen (The Battle of the Beetles) - Published by Chicken House (6 April 2017) - VOTE HERE NOW


Wednesday, 26 October 2016

MR RIPLEY'S BOOK COVER WARS - THE BATTLE OF THE HORROR - HEAT ONE 2016/17 + BOOK COMPETITION (Neil Gaiman & Chris Riddell - Odd and the Frost Giants. )

Oh yes, Mr Ripley's Book Cover Wars is back again for another exciting year and we are looking for a new worthy winner. If you are returning to the site for another year, or you are new to this competition, then I send you a very warm welcome. It is a delight to have your company in the book cover war zonePlease make sure that you vote and enjoy the experience. Don't forget to share this exciting adventure with your friends and followers - everyone is welcome. #Bookcoverwars

For any follower of this site, this is the chance for you to become part of the weekly book cover wars. Each week, starting from today and for the next 4 weeks, I am going to select five book covers for you to vote from. The winner of each heat will then go forward to the final round and get a chance to be crowned as 'Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Winner 2016/17'.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover War Rules:
There will be four weekly heats with five book covers to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final. However, one more entry will also be entered into the final; this will be the book cover with the most votes from the other four heats as the highest runner up. 


As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your favourite book cover, but you will also be in with the chance to win a different special book each week. Therefore, in order to kick off the competition this week we have an amazing book which is a hardback copy, Neil Gaiman & Chris Riddell - Odd and the Frost Giants. 

If you are interested then all you need to do is:
  • Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll - HERE
  • Leave a comment through this post or poll - HERE
  • Mention it on Twitter/Facebook any place you like!  #BOOKCOVERWARS 
  • Sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed). Please note that this competition is open to the UK only.
  • This poll will end 2nd November 2016 at midnight UK time. 
So here are the five book covers to vote for this week:



BOOK ONE - Cameron McAllister - The Demon Undertaker - Published by Corgi Children's (1 Sept. 2016) Book Cover artwork by Jeff Nentrup - VOTE HERE



BOOK TWO - Dan Poblocki - The Gathering (Shadow House) - Published by Scholastic Press (August 30, 2016) -  Book Cover by Larry Rostant/Keirsten Geise - VOTE HERE



BOOK THREE - Alexander Gordon Smith - The Devils's Engine: Hellfighters Bk2 - Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (November 1, 2016) Book Cover by Andrew Arnold - VOTE HERE 



BOOK FOUR - Danny Weston - The Haunting of Jessop Rise  - Published by Andersen Press (1 Sept. 2016)  Book Cover by James Fraser - VOTE HERE 

BOOK FIVE - Robin Jarvis - The Devil's Paintbox (The Witching Legacy) - Published by Egmont (9 Mar. 2017) - Book Cover artwork by Nicholas Delort - VOTE HERE



Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Favourite Book Picks: Children's/Teens - May 2016 - UK Post One

Taran Matharu - The Inquisition (Summoner BK2) - Published by Hodder Children's Books (5 May 2016)

More demons, epic battles, and fights to the death: introducing the unmissable next instalment in the Summoner Trilogy...
On trial for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must face the Inquisition who will decide his future - the process is gruelling, lead by those who will do anything to see him suffer and haunted by ghosts from the past with clues to Fletcher's tragic origins. 
But Fletcher has little time to dwell on these new revelations when the king announces a deadly challenge to the graduating students at Vocans. One that involves entering Orc territory to complete a risky mission. With loyal demons by their sides, commoners and nobles, dwarves and elves must overcome barriers of class and race and work together to triumph. The reward: a fortune in gold, the safety of an empire and PEACE.
With the entire empire watching, Fletcher has much to prove, but there are those out to get him and it soon becomes clear that there's a traitor in their midst, trying to thwart the mission and create unrest within the Empire. 
With everything stacked against him, Fletcher must use everything in his power to fight his way to victory.

Sophie Cleverly - The Lost Twin (Scarlet and Ivy, Book 1) - Published by HarperCollins Children's Books (5 May 2016)

This is the story of how I became my sister…
A spine-tingling mystery set in a creepily atmospheric boarding school. Ivy must uncover the secrets behind her twin sister Scarlet’s disappearance before it’s too late.
When troublesome Scarlet mysteriously disappears from Rookwood School, terrifying Miss Fox invites her quiet twin sister Ivy to ‘take her place’.
Ivy reluctantly agrees in the hopes of finding out what happened to her missing sister. For only at Rookwood will Ivy be able to unlock the secrets of Scarlet’s disappearance, through a scattered trail of diary pages carefully hidden all over the school.
Can Ivy solve the mystery before Miss Fox suspects? Or before an even greater danger presents itself?

Caleb Krisp - Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket (Ivy Pocket 2) - Published by Bloomsbury Children's (5 May 2016)

Ivy is now the beloved daughter of Ezra and Mother Snagbsy, coffin makers, even if she does have to work rather like a maid. Their trade is roaring, and Ivy is as happy as a pig in clover. Especially when she escapes to the library to talk to the devastatingly sympathetic Miss Carnage. 
But then Ivy guesses that all is not as it seems with her new parents, and discovers that she can pass into the world of the Clock Diamond. There, she sees her friend Rebecca, horribly sad and desperate. 
Can Ivy save Rebecca, and what do a missing aristocrat, a forbidden love affair and a bullfrog have to do with her mission?
Illustrated in humorous gothic detail by John Kelly, Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket is the second tale in Ivy's deadly comic journey to discover who she really is ... Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket. 

Claire Legrand - Some Kind of Happiness - Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (17 May 2016)


Reality and fantasy collide in this heartfelt and mysterious novel for fans of "Counting by 7s" and "Bridge to Terabithia," about a girl who must save a magical make-believe world in order to save herself. 
Things Finley Hart doesn t want to talk about: 
-Her parents, who are having problems. (But they pretend like they re not.)

-Being sent to her grandparents house for the summer.


-Never having met said grandparents.

-Her blue days when life feels overwhelming, and it s hard to keep her head up. (This happens a lot.) 

Finley s only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her grandparents house and realizes the Everwood is "real" and holds more mysteries than she d ever imagined, including a family of pirates that she isn t allowed to talk to, trees covered in ash, and a strange old wizard living in a house made of bones. 

With the help of her cousins, Finley sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood and uncover its secrets. But as the mysteries pile up and the frightening sadness inside her grows, Finley realizes that if she wants to save the Everwood, she ll first have to save herself."

Sunday, 1 May 2016

THE TIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE CHILDREN'S FICTION COMPETITION - SHORTLIST 2016



Are you a writer with an original and exciting story for 7-to-18-year-olds? If so, we  the Times/Chicken House run an annual competition. Every entry will be read by our team of experienced readers in order to draw up a longlist of the very best submissions. Barry Cunningham and the Chicken House editorial team will then narrow these down to a shortlist of five.

Here is this years shortlist:
ASTERIX CLEMENTINE by Janine Barnett-Phillips (@smithereens69)
A gritty love story between two teens with an unexpected twist. A contemporary YA tale about having the courage to live what you believe.

THE FIREFLY CAGE by Nicki Thornton (@nicki_thornton)
A middle-grade murder mystery with a magical twist: kitchen boy Seth must solve a murder at a convention of magicians in order to prove himself innocent.

FROSTSLIVER by Jamie Smith (@jamiehbsmith)
The story of one girl’s extraordinary survival when caught in a mountainside avalanche atop a sentient glacier. A highly original, wintry fantasy for ages 12+.

MILO AND OPERATION STEPDAD by Tracy Darnton (@tracydarnton)
Suitable for ages 7+, and follows Milo’s funny and heart-warming quest to find a partner for his single mum.

PROJECT CAT'S AWAY by Julie Mee (@meejuliemee)
Follows 12-year-old junior CIA agent, Emma, who struggles to maintain her work-life balance when a friend discovers her secret. Action and hilarity for middle-grade readers.
We're very excited to have such a stellar shortlist - look out for the winner announcement, coming in June. A huge congratulations to all our shortlisted authors!

Twitter: @chickenhsebooks 

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