Hello Readers. This is the final part to my favourite book reads of 2017. If you would like to know what my other favourite reads were then please check out post one. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a great Christmas and a very happy New Year.
I would also like to thank all of the publishers, authors and illustrators who kindly sent books for me to read. Many thanks also to the authors who submitted information, Q&As or guest posts for Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books throughout 2017.
I would like to award the following awards to:
* David Fickling books as 'Children's Publisher of the Year 2017'. I have loved every book that they have sent this year.
* Chris Riddell and SF Said for their roles in promoting reading for pleasure within the children's genre and inspiring others.
* Favourite illustrator of the year is David Litchfield for outstanding work this year.
Finally, Mr Ripley's Children's blog award goes to book-lover Jo https://bookloverjo.wordpress.com . This is a fantastic blog - it is always a great place to find out more about children's books for all ages and genres.
Thank you most of all to the readers of Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books; without you, there would be no blog. Have a great festive period all of you.
Pam Smy - Thornhill - Published by David Fickling Books (24 Aug. 2017)
On opening the book, the images and the words are outstandingly provocative and beautiful. The black and white illustrations lead the readers into a dark and fantasy parallel wonderland. The first diary entry is from the 8th February 1982 and begins with "I knew it was too good to last. She is back". From this moment we are gripped, as we turn the pages to a centerpiece of blackness with a brooding building providing an indication of the eerie ride that is to come. The magnificent feast of black and white illustrations (about half of the book) pop out at you and tell one part of the story which will plunge you into an atmospheric world of dark secrets, loss, loneliness, friendship and the lasting damage brought on by bullying and neglect.
Jessica Townsend - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow - Published by Orion Children's (12 Oct. 2017)
Michael Grant - Monster (The Monster Series) - Published by Electric Monkey (19 Oct. 2017)
Jessica Townsend - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow - Published by Orion Children's (12 Oct. 2017)
This book has all the magical ingredients required to leave you with wonderful memories. You will soak up the atmosphere by being accompanied by a host of quaint, odd and rather endearing characters through a chorus of screechy violins and spooky organ music. Nevermind being transported to a world of infinite pleasure, chased by the deadly Hunt of Smoke and Shadow which will lift the stakes of this bold and brilliant adventure and add a little creepiness that will deliver a shaky hand to Hallowmas night.
Michael Grant - Monster (The Monster Series) - Published by Electric Monkey (19 Oct. 2017)
Set four years after the final book in the Gone series. Michael sets about exploring what it means to be a superhero/villain. The characters' superhero powers and reactions do not always make them a hero. One of the characters, through a series of events, soon find themselves becoming the biggest supervillain. It is fascinating to understand and read the characters' motives. It really highlights and promotes the reader to think about the influences and outcomes on people which can change them.
Helen Cooper - The Hippo at the End of the Hall - Published by David Fickling Books (2 Nov. 2017)
The story itself encompasses a re-telling of two old folk tales that intertwine to create the main story. They achieve this rather nicely by delivering mystery, myth, and wonder to the adventure. In my opinion, it enhances the story and creates an exciting wild adventure.
The story is a real family read that will appeal to everybody. You will gravitate to the mayhem and mystery that follows the main character, Ben. It's a real heartfelt story that pulls on the reality strings of loss and loneliness whilst giving the reader a feel-good moment once the last pages have been turned. You will be sad as you come to the end of this wonderfully descriptive adventure. This is another fantastic book from the children's publisher of the year, in my opinion.
The story is a real family read that will appeal to everybody. You will gravitate to the mayhem and mystery that follows the main character, Ben. It's a real heartfelt story that pulls on the reality strings of loss and loneliness whilst giving the reader a feel-good moment once the last pages have been turned. You will be sad as you come to the end of this wonderfully descriptive adventure. This is another fantastic book from the children's publisher of the year, in my opinion.
Nicholas Gannon - The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse - Published by HarperCollins Children's Books (16 Nov. 2017)
Archer B. Hemsley and friends are back and yearning for adventure in this second beautifully told, stunningly-illustrated story from author-illustrator Nicholas Gannon.
After two years, Archer B. Helmsley’s famous explorer grandparents are finally coming home. They had been missing – abandoned on an iceberg – and Archer and his best friends, Adélaïde L. Belmont and Oliver Grub led an adventurous mission to rescue them.
Archer is overjoyed by his grandparents return. However, he seems to be the only one. Rumours begin to surface that Archer’s grandparents weren’t abandoned after all. People are claiming that they made it all up. Well, Archer knows those rumours are false, and with the help of his best friends and new neighbour, Kana, he is going to prove it. Off the foursome set, into a snowstorm and beyond, to restore his grandparent’s reputation.
