Mr Ripley's Interview with Andrew Guile - The Amazing Adventures of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebottom: The Mad Moon Mission

This is the second book by Andrew Guile involving Skinny Finny and his sidekick brother, Tubby. It's a crazy adventure that will make you laugh your socks off. It is a magically illustrated fantasy affair that everyone will love, regardless of age. To tempt you all to read it, I have asked the author a range of questions regarding the book and his writing career. I hope that you enjoy this interview and it will grab you enough to pick up this book and read it. 


The Amazing Adventures of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebotton is out now. Grab a copy in your flying superhero cape. 

Who do you think will love reading The Amazing Adventures of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebottom: The Mad Moon Mission?

I would hazard a guess at boys between 8-12 years old. Skinny Finny dreams up all sorts of crazy gadgets and boys often like that sort of thing. I do hope that girls read the book too. I specifically chose to introduce a female viewpoint character in this book for this very reason so I do hope it works!

A good villain is hard to write, how did you get in touch with your inner villain(s) to write this book?

I think, if we are honest, we all have a dark side though most of us are good at keeping it hidden. From an author perspective, I suspect it comes down to honesty. If you’ve taken the time to look critically at yourself over your lifetime, you’ll find it easier to tap into the more negative, villainous side of your own personality. I think I’m pretty good at that. I think though that all authors are bound to be influenced by what they have read and watched over the years too, that’s inevitable I guess. I also just try to put myself in the mind of the villain and think of things they can say and do that children would find alarming. I promise though that I have never held any children down and dripped lemon juice in their eyes! Not yet, anyway.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

I think it’s probably Tubby. Sir Mimsey Parpington definitely has the best name but I have a real soft spot for Tubby. He’s accident prone and is never going to join MENSA but he views the world through rose-tinted glasses and it gives him I’m a vulnerable appeal. He also has a very clear moral compass that his brother could benefit from understanding better.

What inspirations do you think helped to make this book happen?

I began telling stories to my children many years ago. We used to make up stories together, using two or three words each and moving round in a circle with the next person adding their 2-3 words to the story before passing on to the next person, etc. That was great fun and produced some hilarious and bizarre stories. That morphed into me just making stories up myself and Skinny Finny was born. He was named after a kid I went to school with and ‘Wobblebottom’ was a phrase I pinched from Blackadder the Third. I made it into a name and then had Curt Walstead design him.

In the book there are over 150 brilliant black and white illustrations, how did the illustrations come about in the book? 

I always wanted it to be illustrated. I found Curt Walstead on Elance.com (now Upwork.com) and he pitched for the job alongside four or five others. He stood out over all the rest. I was very lucky to find him as he has a great pedigree having worked as an illustrator for Dora the Explorer, Diego and Baby Looney Tunes in California. He specializes in character development and I couldn’t be more delighted with his work.

Which scene in the book made you laugh the hardest?

Definitely the scene in Windsor Castle near the start of the book where Skinny Finny tells Tubby that he’ll do his duty and kick Tubby between the legs if Queen Elizabeth won’t. It’s the earnest way in which Skinny Finny tells it and the fact that Tubby takes him seriously. And then the punch line with the Kit Kat a little later on. It’s perhaps slightly more adult humour than child humour but I think it’s always a good idea for gags to hit different levels. Quite a few children will, I imagine, have the book read to them. It’s wise to entertain the adults too!

What tactics do you have and use when writing? (outline or do you just write)

I am definitely a planner. I can’t start writing the first draft until I have a chapter sketch mapped out. I need to know where the story is going and what the character arcs are going to be, etc. I love that development period where anything is possible.

How did you break into publishing? Tell us about the process you were involved in? 

I have been wanting to write for many years. I have read countless books about the craft and have been on many, many courses and workshops. Being a planner though, I didn’t want to start anything until I felt I knew what I was doing. That time of enlightenment coincided with the desire to write and publish a Skinny Finny story for my three children before they got too old. That came in 2013. I primarily self-published the Crazy Christmas Caper via Amazon.

The Mad Moon Mission is the second book that follows the antics of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebottom. For this second outing I used Troubador (Matador) who are a self publishing company. I used all aspects of their service including copy editing, typesetting and proofreading prior to publication. I also had an editor, Bella Pearson who helped me with the story structure. She was fantastic and has a great pedigree of her own having previously worked with Phillip Pullman.

Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?

Looking back, my earliest memories are of my reading books for school. I remember one in particular where the cover image was of two massive pillars at the end of a spooky driveway that leads down towards a derelict mansion. The pillars had gargoyles sat atop them and the story describes how these stone beasts come to life. Amazing! I have always been drawn to fantasy books and sci-fi. I just love the escapism. I can’t imagine writing a story that doesn’t have some element of sci-fi or fantasy.

What are you working on next?

I have stepped away from Skinny Finny for my next book. I’m working on a middle-grade fantasy adventure story. Tim’s life is changed forever when he, his best friend and his sister, find a portal to a world ravaged by warring dragons while on holiday in Cornwall. There he betrays his friend and is forced to face his own fears in order to redeem himself and rescue his friend from the evil Queen and find a way back home. It will focus on similar themes of family and friendship. 

I’m writing this new story while attending the Golden Egg Foundation Course. I’ve sort of gone back to school I suppose! Golden Egg was set up by the great Barry Cunningham (the man who discovered J.K. Rowling) to develop and nurture children’s writers. It’s an amazing course that’s really helping me improve my writing further and I’m really excited for what I may next have in print.

Website: https://andrewguilecom.wordpress.com

Andrew Guile - The Amazing Adventures of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebottom: The Mad Moon Mission - Book Review

Ten-year-old Skinny Finny and his twin brother, Tubby, are beginning a new life in London when their arch enemy, the evil Dr Buttscratcher, and his shadowy sidekick begin terrorising unsuspecting joggers and the elderly. Skinny Finny's hopes for a 'normal' life are shattered as he is set on a collision course with Dr Buttscratcher and his crazy plans for world domination. Will Skinny Finny join forces once again with the British Agent, Super Spy Wobblebottom? And who is the dastardly doctor's mysterious new apprentice? With over 150 black and white illustrations throughout, The Amazing Adventures of Skinny Finny and Super Spy Wobblebottom is a funny, enthralling and humorous tale for children aged 7 and over. This explosive children's book guarantees high adventure and hilarious mayhem for the enjoyment of all young readers.

Are you ready to enter the world of Skinny Finny? 

You only need to look at the book cover, which has been fantastically illustrated by Curt Walstead, to know that you are in for a crazy time. This is a story that will gather you up into a madcap caper and transport you to a place of laughter and comical humour. It will hit you on so many levels that it will definitely be loved by any age group, and any reader, who has a good sense of humour. 

One thousand feet high and the Shard (London) is the starting point for this brilliant story. There you are thrust into the lives of Skinny Finny and his whimsical twin brother, Tubby, along with his rather mysterious and strange family. You will be rocketed into a fantasy action-adventure full of zany shenanigans and a fiendish plot. You will find yourself flying into space on a mysterious futuristic spacecraft, that will rattle your fantasy teeth into orbit, and back again, but with the Queen of England!

The story is full of complex and crazy characters doing, and saying, silly things at any given moment, especially in times of danger. My favourite character is Super Spy Wobblebottom; he is just brilliantly well written and full of comical style. He is very distinctive, for a hero type character, and not typical at all. You will certainly remember him for a very long time to come, as he runs around in his own slapstick caper that will make you chortle. With his over-active personality, a cracking aura (his big bottom) and his rather outlandish behaviour and crazy actions, you will soon find yourself giggling like a school boy.    

I really loved every minute of this book. I was fully absorbed into this fantasy world - part reality and part nonsense. You walk the tightrope of danger, with quirky monsters of fur, and the biggest set of teeth that you are ever likely to see. Every page, and every chapter, is one big dollop of crazy imagination. It delivers a high-octane adventure which is full of mayhem and mischief. It's very cool, fun and will appeal to kids who love to be absorbed in a story that visually feels straight out of the pages of a comic book. 

This is one of my favourite reads so far this year, as it is original and very stupid. However, it also tackles the themes of good versus evil and develops empathy with the characters. It is all wrapped up with sci-fi goodness and a fantastic feel good factor ending, what more could you ever want?


This book needs to be tracked down, in my opinion, and read. However, there might be some difficulty in finding it in any big chain bookshop, but go and search it out and give it a try as you will not be disappointed. Published by Matador 11th January 2017.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Steve Cole (Author) Jim Filed (Illustrator) Invisible Inc. (Magic Ink 4) - Book Review

Noah’s mum’s new invention can zap ANYTHING into a ghost of its former self. It’s still there, but you can’t see it. You can’t touch it.

When the sinister ‘Seerblight Solutions’ steal her invention, Noah is zapped – and finds he’s not the first to have been turned ‘invisible’ through the ages. With all humankind in terrible danger, Earth’s last line is defence is one you’ve never seen or heard of: Invisible Inc.

A medieval knight. A Victorian inventor. A poetic pony. And an ordinary boy. Saving the world? THEY’LL SEE TO IT!

Step Away From The Television, flip over the book cover and turn the pages of a hilarious read from the bestselling author, Steve Cole. He has written some of the best inventive reads and delighted large audiences with cracking, ingenious worlds such as Astrosaurs and Magic Ink as well as his older series the Young Bond books.

This is another brilliant book which has been illustrated by the talented Jim Field. The black and white images enhance the craziness by giving an atmospheric and fiendish feel creating a world of mayhem and chaos. Every page that you turn will make you giggle like a new born baby. Be warned though as the book is full of advice that you should ignore and definitely not follow! 

You will find yourself running a monster battling gauntlet with the main character Noah Deer, an ordinary boy, who needs to save the world against the force of Seerblight. This character is a dangerous 1000-year old bad guy, who is accompanied by his unpleasant sidekick, Mr Butt. Fortunately, Noah has backup in the form of the singing medieval knight, Sir Guy de Yupp, who has a knack of bursting both into trouble and tuneless yelling. 
Here is a ditty from Sir Guy: 

"I asked my mama what will I be 
When I am five times taller than your knee. 
BE A HERO! said she.  
SMITE YOUR ENEMY!
With A SWORD AND MACE,
YOU CAN SMASH HIM
IN THE FACE!
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Also within this inventive escapade, you will meet the inventor, Trudi Deer, a teacher and a scientist who is always working on amazing projects. She is a lover of baked beans or perhaps not! You will also be enchanted by Maloney the Phony the poetic pony and Lady Jemima Smyth who will pull the strings. She has retired from Invisible inc, as a battler of ninjas and is the fire power against some hypnotising chickens. 

You will really be engrossed in this frantic explosion of action and adventure. It is a cracking book to pluck off the shelves for the younger reader, especially reluctant boys. The humour and the jokes come thick and fast; they hit the mark for all ages and genders. Throughout this fantastic story, you won't be able to stop yourself from reading this book out aloud with funny accents as you snort with laughter at the ensuing wizardry madness. 

This is another outstanding performance from Steve Cole that will provide a smile on your face and lead you into a wold of pure escapism. It is a fantastic choice for a family read and thoroughly recommended. 

Garth Jennings - The Deadly 7 - Book Review (Macmillan Children's Books)

Who needs friends when you've got MONSTERS?

When Nelson's beloved big sister goes missing on a school trip, he wants to go and find her. But while his parents join the search party Nelson is left at home with his mad uncle Pogo, a plumber working at St Paul’s Cathedral. In the dark catacombs of the cathedral Nelson stumbles across a strange and ancient machine, designed to extract the 7 deadly sins from a person’s soul as living, breathing monsters. Nelson accidentally extracts the sins from his own little soul and finds himself stuck with seven ugly, cantankerous, smelly and embarrassing new friends who help him form the best (and weirdest) plan ever: they will set out on a quest across the globe to find and rescue his big sister . . .

Are you having a bad day? If so, then you need look no further than this book as it will make your day and then some. It will lift your fantasy spirits up into space and beyond. This book was an absolute joy to read from the very first page. I was utterly stunned to have reached the final page so quickly; I really can't give this book a better endorsement than that. 

The first thing to tell you about this book is that it is monster bonkers. It's so crazy that I am still thinking what's just happened here. The author leads you skipping merrily through a plot of total mayhem. The language from the start was very cleverly woven into sentences and through paragraphs -the description and the comparisons were like poetry in motion. This could be a skill influenced by the authors time both writing and directing films. He is certainly multi-talented as he has also provided the illustrations for this book. The drawings really capture the tone of the story and make it fun for readers of all ages. 

The characters and monsters are very special; nothing like you have ever encountered before, in my opinion. Nelson is the main character. He might be considered as a 'normal' young boy on the outside, but on the inside . . . . . well, that is another story as he takes you on the ride of your imaginary life. 

On the other hand, Uncle Pogo could have just come off the set of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He is a wacky inventor who rattles around in your head for some time. The Deadly 7 are Nelson's monsters: there's HOOT (a golden bird with the wit and charm of a snake), NOSH who is a pink blob and as round as a butcher's belly with warm hands and MISER (a blue egg-shaped monster that shuffles on feet that flop like wet socks). Are you beginning to get the mad vibe yet? The final characters to introduce are Spike, Crush, Stan and MASTER PUFF who can blow you out with his rather windy disposition!

The story was brilliant from start to finish; it's a riot of wild imagination. You start off on one journey and then end up on another. You'll find yourself being part of a high speed chase in a limo one minute and then the next you'll be hurtling along on a cow and so on.  

I really hope that this book develops into a new series. It's original, full of idiotic behaviour and made me smile from ear to monster ear. Five star fun and a smashing adventure to kindle your heart. It's got all the makings of a good film. Make sure that you search out a copy when it's finally published, as you will not be disappointed. 

Who needs friends when you've got books like this to read! 

Both written and illustrated by Garth Jennings
Unleashed 15th January 2015
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books

Book Review: Attack of the Giant Robot Chickens - By Alex McCall #GiantRobotChickens

This book will surely scramble your brain! The vision that you can see on the front cover is eggs-actly the same vision that is laid out within the story. I love this book cover - it's chicken fantastic in high definition glory A former winner of the fantastic Kelpies prize, this book has delivered a caper that will get you eggs-cited if you dare to read it. If not, then you are, in my opinion, a chicken.

The plot is hysterical and so much fun to read; it left me with a smile on my face and certainly brightened up my week. I really would love to see more outrageous offerings like this in future from other authors. There just aren't enough opportunities in stories for the exploration of humour set within a well imagined world.

This is a brilliantly written family-action read - who could not like this subject matter? Giant laser shooting robots with beaks that can peck through concrete as well as laying eggs-plosive eggs. These chickens are threatening to rule the roost and take control of the world. The streets are empty, the adults have vanished and the children of Aberdeen are running clucking scared. It's no fun living in a chicken apocalypse. It's a yolk of a predicament to find yourself being terrorised by domestic giant robot fowl. Jesse and his friends hatch a plot to stop these chicken fiends and take back their city.

There is an omelette mixture of many things going on here. The story is full of timely action but not everything goes eggs-actly to plan. The plot is very engaging for both younger and older audiences. In my opinion, this is very well written for a debut published book. It's zany, fun and full of many laugh-out-loud moments to keep you on your claws.

This is one of the best chick flick books that I've read. At least this is what I would describe as a chick flick read to be enjoyed. It is cool, easy to read and will transport you to a world of pure fantasy. Colonel Sanders would relish reading this adventure. He would be licking his fingers as he rampaged through the story feeding his appetite. I think he would describe this as 'finger-licking good'.  I think you'll find yourself hungry for more.... are there any sides to go with this?

This book is out now to buy in a chicken coop near you....

Published by Kelpies on the 20th February 2014.

Gareth P Jones - Space Crime Conspiracy - Book Review

The first book I read by this author was the twisted dark story of The Thornthwaite Inheritance - a book that featured the murderous twins of Ovid and Lorelli. I had the pleasure of reviewing it some time ago and really enjoyed it. So I was so looking forward to more of the same. However after the first chapter, I was left thinking about the versatility of the author, as the book proved to be really quite different in style, to the previous one that I had read. 

For Stan, a young lad from London, this is one amazing ride into the ether and back. It is a nail biting sci-fi journey to a far, far away galaxy, where Stan is whisked to the Bucket for an intergalactic crime - the killing of President Vorlgenar.

Packed full with an imaginative and inventive plot, this book finds you turning the pages faster then a speeding rocket. The book is full of Gareth's trade mark humour - making you laugh along with all the characters. The many imaginative characters all vie for your attention but my favourite is the talking mushroom, which befriends Stan - making a crazy, but important impact on the mystery that finds Stan on trial for murder.

In prison, accused of murdering President Vorlunar, things are not looking good for Stanley. But when he is released, matters get even worse! He discovers that his assumed crime has given him not only notoriety, but value. How can a boy who lives above a pub in south-east London cope with bounty hunters with beards on their foreheads, lawyers who specialise in Intergalactic Law, Pan-Dimensional Litigation and Criminal Prosecution, and the terrifying bird-headed space pirates, the Marauding Picaroons.

All through this book it left a smile on my face, until it sadly ended. This was the most enjoyable read I have had for quite some time - a bizarre romp of space madness. The runaway action is so much fun that it leaves you wanting another adventure soon, if there is one. I sincerely hope so!

Book Published by Bloomsbury 12 July 2010

Andrew Mulligan - RIBBLESTROP

Mr Ripley's review

The story is set in a bizarre Boarding School with a bunch of odd pupils and even stranger teachers. This book is a great read, the story is quirky in its execution with great imaginative qualities which work really well. I love all of the characters in this book, as they each individually make the story. Whilst the descriptive work, Andrew has used, builds a brilliant picture. As I followed the story, I chuckled along the way with the funny moments. Whilst enduring the strange and unusual happenings; each working well with each other. I don't think you'll find another book like it! It's well worth a read; transcending from yet another great debut author. Five out of Five - great story, incredibly unique with an eye-catching cover. The pop-art style reflects the story within.


Synopsis

Roofless dormitories, distracted teachers and a lethally dangerous underground labyrinth - Ribblestrop's visionary headmaster is out of his depth even before the pupils arrive! And when they do - what a bunch! There's Sanchez, a Colombian gangster's son hiding from kidnappers; Millie, an excluded arsonist and self-confessed wild child; Caspar, the landlady's spoiled grandson; the helpful but hapless Sam and his best friend Ruskin, plus a handful of orphans from overseas, who are just happy to have beds - even if they are located in a roofless part of the building...Anything could happen - and anything does!

Published by Simon & Schuster Children's 6 April 2009


I'd like to thank all the readers, publishers and authors who have helped me with this blog. I look forward to all your comments.