Helen Cooper - The Hippo at the End of the Hall - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Review (David Fickling)

The invitation was delivered by bees. It wasn't addressed to anyone at all, but Ben knew it was for him. It would lead him to an old, shambolic museum, full of strange and bewitching creatures. A peculiar world of hidden mysteries and curious family secrets . . . and some really dangerous magic. 

But most importantly Ben discovers a connection to his father and the family he never knew he had. And now he has something important to fight for - survival of the gee museum and the promise of finding out who he really is. 

Helen Cooper is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator whose picture books include Pumpkin Soup, The Baby Who Wouldn’t Go to Bed. Both of which won the CILIP Kate Greenaway award. Her debut novel, The Hippo at the End of the Hall, will be published by David Fickling Books on the 2nd November 2017 which is a fantastic accomplished debut and an absolute joy to read. It is a visual story that will you not forget. 

It was a real privilege to read an early chapter sample of this book back in June. I read the small extract and immediately thought I can not wait to read the finished book in its entirety. So when the copy arrived, I was very much excited to see it and get stuck into it straight away. (Thank you very much, David Fickling)

The first thing that I'm going to say is that it's another fantastic production by the team. A glorious red hardback lavished with love, care and detail with a fantastic story inside. You turn the book cover to be greeted with the fantastic black endpapers where you begin to feel the love for the story inside. 

As you start to read this magical plot, you will notice the really charming pencil sketches/drawings which bring the characters and the setting to life. They are a lovely touch and a fantastic way to start you on your big-footed adventure. There are 42 chapters filled with a sparkling and vivid imagination. It is a story that will stand the test of time - a great classic of the future and one of my book picks of the year. 

A visit to the Peabody Museum (Boston) is where the inspiration for the story started. One of the main characters and, my favourite pygmy hippopotamus, began as an initial sketch from here. Whilst many of the other characters were created from a range of other museums. The author collected these sketches and, with time, love and a bucketful of heart, made The GEE museum in this book a wonderous and enchanting place to visit. The story comes to life with a buzz of bees and a menagerie of stuffed creatures that might make you jump with excitement and anticipation. 

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. 

James Bond Museum - Keswick - England

We had a great day out in Keswick recently; one of things we did was take a visit to the Bond Museum. It's a great attraction to go to aswell as the Cars for the Stars museum, both of which are owned by the same person. A great family place to go to if you get the chance.

This article is taken from the JamesBond.org

Keswick’s James Bond Museum will feature numerous vehicles and gadgets that were used in the James Bond films, all from the private collection of Peter Nelson who has been collecting James Bond items for 20 years.

Press Release

An exciting new museum will open in the Lake District on the 5th of April 2009. The Bond Museum is the brainchild of Peter Nelson who has been collecting James Bond items for 20 years and now has the biggest private collection in the World. The museum will feature several Aston Martin and Lotus cars used in the Bond films along side many other vehicles including the actual Russian T55 main battle tank used in the film GoldenEye, as well as boats , planes and even a Bell Jetranger helicopter.

The 5th of April is also a very special date being the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Albert R (Cubby) Broccoli. As a tribute to the Bond producer Nelson will unveil a bust on that date at the museum.

Nelson has also collected many of the props from the films, several being donated by many of the actors and crew. One of the iconic items on display will be the original Colibri Golden Gun plus many Q gadgets. However, it is the vehicles, many of which have never been seen by the public which will form the centre piece of the museum.

Nelson also owns the now famous Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in the town, but because the current museum is too small to house his large collection of Bond vehicles it had to have a new purpose built site close by.

“This will be a museum dedicated to the fans of 007,” states Nelson, who was a school boy when he first read the books of Ian Fleming and later became a fan himself of the films. “Like many others I have grown up with James Bond and its fantastic that the franchise continues in the very capable hands of the Fleming family, Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson and family,” says Nelson.

Ask him who is his favourite Bond and he states that each Bond was perfect for that era however his favourite film is Goldfinger, simply because it features the gadget laden DB5 which he states is the greatest car ever made—he should know he has two!

But Nelson has had his problems building such a major attraction, namely the sheer cost of the project. When he required a further extension to his overdraft he sent a very ‘tongue in cheek’ fax to his bank manager stating that failure to comply with his request would result in demolition of the bank with his tank. When the fax was intercepted by one of the junior staff in the absence of the manager he thought it a serious threat and nearly called the police! However the manager eventually granted the payment without recourse to Nelson’s threat!

At one time Nelson thought about selling the entire collection and did approach Christies, but on reflection he felt that it would be a shame to split the collection up since it is one of great historic as well as cultural importance. “Fans of Bond will want to see this collection in it’s entirety” Nelson states. And he has ensured that the museum has been completed to a standard that will impress visitors and also help to promote the films and the books. Nelson said that he is re reading Fleming’s books and has been so impressed how well written they are. “New Bond books have been written, but you simply can’t equal Fleming: he was an outstanding author”, says Nelson. Nelson also states that he is a great admirer of the work of Cubby Broccoli who he sites as a genius in his ability in finding and attracting the very best cast and crew for the films. “The most amazing thing is that Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have been able to carry on Cubby’s superb legacy extremely well indeed, which was no mean feat.” He is therefore sure that Bond will go on for many years to come.

The museum will be open from the 5th April 10am to 5pm. The unveiling of Nelsons bust of ‘Cubby’ at 10am on that morning.

The Collection

•Vanquish Aston Martin from Die Another Day - the actual hero car used by Pierce Brosnan in the film.
•DB5 Uncle/Goldfinger car - The actual gadget laden car used in period Man from Uncle film, driven by James Bond. The original car was stolen.
•DB5 from GoldenEye - The actual Hero car used by Piece Brosnan
•Aston Martin V8 - The Living Daylights - The actual car used in the film
•Aston Martin DBS - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - The actual car used in the film
•Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me - The actual car used in the film
•The Underwater Submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me - The actual submarine used
•Lotus Esprit Turbo white - For Your Eyes Only - The actual car used in the film
•Lotus Esprit Turbo copper - For Your Eyes Only - The actual car used in the film
•Scaramanga’s car - The Man With The Golden Gun - The actual car used in the film
•Mustang from Diamonds Are Forever - The actual two wheel stunt car
•General Ourumov’s Volga from GoldenEye - The actual car used in the film
•Renault Taxi from A View To A Kill - The actual car used in the film
•Tuk Tuk taxi - Both goodies and baddies from Octopussy - The actual vehicles used in the film
•Dragon tank - Dr No - a recreation for a major Bond event
•Mini Bede jet - Octopussy - From the Ian Fleming Foundation
•Skiddoo - Die Another Day - The actual vehicle from the film
•Parahawk - The World Is Not Enough - The actual vehicle from the film
•Jet Pack - Thunderball with a figure of Sean Connery. Especially built for a major show but some original parts included
•Toyota 2000 GT - You Only Live Twice - Thought to be one of only two/three in the world - with the original control panel from the film fitted
•Q Boat - The World Is Not Enough - The actual car/boat used in the film
•Fairey Huntress - From Russia With Love - The actual boat used in the film
•BMW Motorcycle - Tomorrow Never Dies - Both bikes including Pierre Goys own bike.
•Cagiva - GoldenEye - The actual bike used in the film
•Rocket firing Motorcycle from Thunderball - The actual one used in the film
•The Spy Who Loved Me bike with exploding side car - The actual one used in the film
•Space Shuttle - Model - The actual one used in the film Moonraker
•The Hovercraft from Die Another Day - The actual one used in the film
•The Glastron Speedboat from Live And Let Die - The actual one used in the film - the gold boat that Bond drives through wedding party
•Various other show/promotional items and vehicles. Including the red Glastron GT150 boat (claimed to be original but no docs!) Small Mig fighter from GoldenEye. Citroen 2cv display - model and full size.
•The Spy Who Loved Me Pinewood Reunion Wetbike
•The actual Landrover from Casino Royale
•Little Nel. Second cousin twice removed of Little Nellie Exhibition autogyro
•The ‘Pinewood’ The Spy Who Loved Me Stromberg Black 206 Jet Ranger Helicopter
•BMW 750iL Tomorrow Never Dies - with the actual blue screen Ericcson telephone
•Triumph Stag used by Sean in Diamonds are Forever
•Tank from GoldeneEye model - The actual one used in the film
•The actual Beach Buggy used in the film For Your Eyes Only
•The actual Russian T55 main battle tank from GoldenEye