Hilary McKay (Author), Keith Robinson (Illustrator) - Rosa by Starlight - Book Review - Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books

In "Rosa by Starlight," Hilary McKay weaves a captivating tale that is at once whimsical and poignant, inviting readers into a world where magic exists just beneath the surface of everyday life. This enchanting story follows Rosa, a young girl whose search for wonder leads her to an unexpected friendship with Balthazar, a large black cat who embodies the spirit of adventure and companionship. 

Rosa's journey begins against the backdrop of a dreary existence with her dreadful aunt and uncle, who threaten to dull her vibrant spirit. Yet, with Balthazar by her side, she is reminded that magic can be found in the most unexpected places, even when life feels particularly heavy.

Moving further forward the plot is set against the breathtaking canvas of Venice, McKay’s storytelling shines and shimmers as she captures the city’s enchanting beauty and rich history. The ancient canals and vibrant streets become a character in their own right, providing a stunning backdrop for Rosa’s adventures. As she navigates the complexities of her new environment, the presence of magic becomes palpable, intertwining with the themes of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of friendship. You also discover this feeling with the beautiful black-and-white illustrations from Keith Robinson. 

While the story is undeniably whimsical, it does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of Rosa's life. Feelings of abandonment and loneliness are juxtaposed with moments of joy and discovery, creating a rich emotional tapestry that resonates deeply with readers of all ages. McKay's ability to balance light and shadow is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

As Rosa confronts her fears in the face of adversity, readers are invited to reflect on their own journeys. The message that magic can be found even in the most difficult times is both uplifting and empowering. The bond between Rosa and Balthazar serves as a reminder of the importance of connection and the unexpected ways in which support can manifest.

"Rosa by Starlight" is not just a tale of adventure; it is a celebration of imagination and the indomitable spirit of a young girl who refuses to let her circumstances define her. Hilary McKay has crafted a story that sparkles with wonder while also gently addressing the complexities of life.  It is a book that will leave readers with a full rainbow of emotions, encouraging them to look beyond the ordinary and embrace the magic that surrounds us all. Published by Macmillan Children's Books. 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Guest Post - Di Toft - Cat Magick

Starting Over...

The end of November will see the publication of my fourth book. Cat Magick will sneak onto Amazon with no fanfare or launch, looking over it’s shoulder craftily, keen to blend in amongst all the ‘proper’ books.

It’s easy being published again, when you’ve done it three times already, right? WRONG!! How naive I was, as I handed my new novel over to wise agent, how eager I was to crack on with my next masterpiece. Two weeks later, wise agent rings, bubbling with good news. Two days later, not so good - the marketing department have put the kibosh on editor’s plans to give Cat a new home. Over the next year, wise agent becomes weary agent and I become not so confident writer.

Damn it, I was going to dedicate Cat Magick to my tiny new grandson Ted and to the memory of two dear friends. This was going to be their book. And what about my characters, whom I had so lovingly crafted? Their friendships and wild adventures would never be shared with anyone else. I couldn’t let that happen!

A couple of authors I know had gone down the Amazon White Glove road, also known as agent-assisted, self-publishing. Weary agent was quite keen, but I couldn’t really see the point. If I was going to self publish, I would do it myself!

‘What about editing, what about a decent cover?’, I hear you cry. That bit was easy. I’d already had my agent and a friendly editor look out for content, plot holes etc. I have another good friend, in the amazing artist Martin Simpson, who was responsible for the eye-catching, child friendly Wolven covers. I am beyond thrilled when I see the Cat Magick cover for the first time.

Now the hard bit. Cat Magick would be published as an ebook, but, more than anything, I wanted to be able to clasp it to my bosom as an ACTUAL paperback. So CreateSpace would also have to be navigated in order for this to happen.

ZZZZZzzzz, I just couldn’t get my head around all the instructions. Enter computer-savvy, pernickety husband, who would spend hours doing all the hard stuff it takes to make everything look good and read well. Thanks Phil.

So, will Cat Magick fly? Will it sell any copies, apart from those I buy myself for school visits, library copies, presents (whether they want them or not)? I don’t know. What’s the worst that can happen? The only cost involved was the cover, which was more than worth it - another first, my first commission! My characters Pye, Suki and Hodge will see the light of day, at least in a few homes. We’ll see...

Thanks Di for writing and sharing this post with us. It is never an easy road to getting published, even if you've already had other books published. Some authors may find themselves facing this future at some point. However, it's great to see platforms such as the White Glove and CreateSpace giving authors the opportunity for their voices to be heard. I will definitely be purchasing Cat Magik to grace my bookshelves and I believe that it will live on.... BUY IT HERE

Mr Ripley's Book Review: Django Wexler - The Forbidden Library

Django Wexler is a new name in the fantasy realm. His first book, The Thousand Names, was written for older/adult readers and was published by Del Ray in the UK. The follow-up to this book should be published this year, at some point in July. However, this is Django's first foray into the children's market which will be published simultaneously in the UK and the US early April 2014.  The cover above is the UK version, whilst the one below is the US book cover. It's great to see the difference between them - what are your thoughts about these?

My review of this book is taken from the advanced reading copy, which was kindly sent to me by the publisher Doubleday. This version does not have the black and white illustrations that have been drawn by David Wyatt and can be found in the UK copy. I'm not sure if the US edition will have the same illustrations in the final version. However, I have been lucky to see a couple of these already, courtesy of the illustrator, so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a beautiful finished copy once it has finally been published in April.

This is the type of book that I love to receive - a classic fantasy adventure that is full of magical family moments. The more that you read, the more you become gripped by the brilliant imagination. It's like all your favourite books wrapped into one - a world that houses talking mischievous cats, well dreamt beasts (with warts and all) as well as a fantastic array of characters. Some of these are mysterious whilst others are sweet and nice - just like Alice, the main character, who we follow through the main story.

The vast library is captivating. It is filled with magical secrets, dark shadows and many strange books. I loved the idea of the characters jumping into magical books. With a life of their own, they are reminiscent of the characters in Cornelia Funke's Inkheart books. I hope that I haven't shared a little spoiler here, SORRY. The characters, Mr Geryon and Mr Black, are typical good-old mysterious and nasty adults that will suck you into the story and show a dark-side that may leave you feeling slightly unsettled.

This is a book that everyone will love, in my opinion. It is a great balance of action and fantasy magic which will put a spell on you. Alice is left to battle the world after her father goes down in a shipwreck and she is sent to live with a distant relative who she knows nothing about. Will the quest to find a happy ending be achieved?

At a couple of points, this story didn't quite gel together and felt slightly disjointed in parts. Nevertheless, this is a great debut book as part of a fantastic new series that could hold epic status. Captivating, thoroughly enjoyable and a very entertaining read, I would definitely recommend this book as a read for everyone. The splendid illustrations add to the great storyline and create a fantasy gem. 

Book published by Doubleday UK - 10 April 2014 

Check out this post by David Wyatt: http://davidwyattillustration.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/smatterings/

Mr Ripley's Book Choice: Gobbolino, The Witch's Cat,70th Anniversary - Ursula Moray Williams illustrated by Catherine Rayner

             

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (11 Oct 2012)

                        

The 70th anniversary edition of this classic and timeless tale

No one could mistake Gobbolino for a simple kitchen cat, with his sparky whiskers and magic tricks, but that’s just what the witch’s kitten wants to be. Instead of learning how to turn mice into toads for the witch’s brew, Gobbolino sets out on an adventure to find a family and a home of his own.

Reissued for its 70th anniversary with illustrations by the award-winning Catherine Rayner, this classic tale has been loved by generations of children.