Author:Geoff Rodkey
The Chronicles of Egg: Newlands is the highly-anticipated sequel to Geoff Rodkey's Waterstones Children's Book Prize-shortlisted hilarious debut Deadweather and Sunrise. A thrilling and rollicking pirate adventure for all readers of 9+
After barely escaping the island of Deadweather, Egg and his new friend, Guts, head to the uncharted islands of the New Lands. They are being hunted by a dangerous villain, but Egg is confident they will uncover the truth about the Fire King's treasure - until he gets a shocking surprise that will change everything . . .
Praise for Geoff Rodkey:
'This is a rip-roaring debut. It is Lemony Snicket meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a sprinkling of Tom Sawyer for good measure.' - Rick Riordan, author of the bestselling PERCY JACKSON series.
Geoff Rodkey is a successful screenwriter, whose hits include RV (starring Robin Williams) and Daddy Daycare (starring Eddie Murphy). As well as contributing to MTV's seminal animated series Beavis and Butt-head, Geoff received an Emmy nomination for his work on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect. Deadweather and Sunrise, the first book in The Chronicles of Egg series has been shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
www.chroniclesofegg.com
@GeoffRodkey
I ripped through it. Once you've read the first book, you'll be dying to find out what happens next. I know I am!
—— Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson seriesThis debut has hit written all over it
—— Flipside UK[on Deadweather and Sunrise] . . . a whole lot of fun and a perfect summer adventure
—— Rebecca Knight , Federation of Children's Book GroupsThere is a lot here to make reading this book over and over again a lot of fun. The poem is fun to read, and the pictures will last a long time. And if it can prevent any more boys being eaten by lions, then it will have done a good job.
—— Bookwitch...fabulously illustrated ...
—— Book Reviewer , Aldershot News and MailThe clever lift-the-pages format and pop-ups make it unmissable.
—— Angels and UrchinsThe talented Ms Grey peppers the pages with so many rules, byelaws and Instructions That Must Not On No Account Be Ignored that Jim's misdemeanor is obviously the result of poor parenting or even a 'lack of literacy'...Hate the sin but love the sinner - that's wot my Nanny used to say.
—— Tony West, Lion and Unicorn Bookshop , OldieAward-winning illustrator Mini Grey (named after the car she was born in....no really!) turns her inimitable hand to Hilaire's classic cautionary tale of Jim: who ran away from his nurse. And was eaten by a lion. Oh yes, this is our kind of story!
—— www.mumsrock.comHer treatment of the Victorian's verse is typically colourful, and the book is full of eye-catching illustrations and pop-ups.
—— Oxford Mail... re-imagined with all her customary flair, invention, wit and zest by the magnificent Mini.
—— Carousel...a picture book that not merely gives the original Belloc a new lease of life but also challenges its lucky readers as to what exactly a full "reading" of a picture book might involve.
—— Robert Dunbar , The Irish TimesMini Grey's dramatic paper-folding illustrations add an extra dimension to Belloc's original. Her fold-out plan of the zoo, complete with warnings and comments, is witty and charming while also standing as an incisive warning about a world in which health and safety has become a make-believe all of its own.
—— Julia Eccleshare , The GuardianHilaire Belloc's classic cautionary tale has been updated in a special new edition, illustrated by award-winner Mini Grey*, whose completely brilliant pictures depict Jim's tale with amazing detail. The fold out map of the zoo is like a mini book of it's own, there's so much in it!...My two-year-old also loves the picture of 'chocolate, with pink inside' and the part where the pop-up lion jumps out and starts nibbling on Jim's ankles. Yes - it doesn't leave much to the imagination!
The interactive pull out maps and flaps all help to make this a really enjoyable read and a real treat of a book.
'Jim' gets a very big thumbs up from us. Keep an eye out for this book - it would make a lovely gift and a great addition to your bookshelves.
Bringing the book to life is illustrator, Mini Grey, and she does an absolutely marvellous job...The quality is fantastic.
—— Tidy Books...Mini Grey has created a highly inventive illustrated edition of Jim, one of Hilaire Belloc's cautionary tales. ...This looks like the perfect gift for both kids and health-and-safety officers.
—— Nic Bottomley , Bath LifeThere's nothing like an old fashioned cautionary tale to upset lily-livered adults and enthral imaginative children - so Mini Grey's masterly treatment of disobedient Jim, who slipped his nurse's grasp and was eaten by a lion, should be an absolute winner with young ones. Distinctive illustrations, a pop-up snarling lion, lift-up flaps and some additional jokes do justice to Belloc's classic castic poem. A dark delight.
—— Sally Morris , The Daily Mail...the cautionary tale of the wayward boy - has been given an engaging pop-up makeover by Mini Grey.
—— TelegraphThe appeal of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales endures, and Mini Grey's illustrated Jim Who Ran away from His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion embellishes this dark, satirical gem with visual and verbal playfulness, including flaps and fold-out maps...Grey celebrates Belloc's wit while adding a new layer of meaning. A delight, and an incentive to read more of the same.
—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday TimesGood clear text with well designed pull-out pages and pop-ups.
—— Round and AboutBrought to life in magnificent style through Mini Grey's illustrations, the pop-ups, flaps, fold-outs and added extras provide a joyous celebration of bad behaviour.
—— Sunday HeraldDistinctive illustrations, a pop-up snarling lion, lift-up flaps and some additional jokes do justice to Belloc's classic caustic poem. A dark delight.
—— The Daily Mail , The Daily MailYou would not have thought it possible to improve upon Hilaire Belloc's cautionary tale of Jim but it lends itself beautifully to Mini Grey's insouciant illustration style. Pop-ups and gatefolds complement the rhythm and comic timing, making Belloc's timeless and deadpan humour accessible to even the youngest child.
—— Dinah Hall , The Sunday Telegraph...wickedly funny...
—— Mary James , Country LifeIt's a thrilling book to read, with pop-ups, pull-puts and a full fold-out retro zoo map with funny signs in the elephant enclosure like "no trumpeting" and "no stampedes." An absorbing read that will have your child holding on to your hand tightly - to avoid the lions.
—— JuniorA traditional tale of Jim who was eaten by lion because he ran away from Nurse, is brilliantly reinterpreted by Mini Grey.
—— Blackbird Pie...sublime...
—— Maggie Hartford , Oxford TimesThere are also some old favourites which are well illustrated in new versions with all the lavish flaps and bright colours now expected. Jim, one of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales, has been printed without the grisly wording being changed (although some rather good health and safety notices for the zoo have been added.)
—— Daily MailThis is a hard backed, nice quality, beautifully illustrated book, filled with imaginative pop-ups, interesting flaps and lots of imaginative and engaging detail.
—— Dulwich Mum...a thrilling book to read...
—— Junior Book Club , JuniorJim's wonderfully wicked tale is certainly a breath of fresh air and a timely reminder of how children's books used to be before political correctness took over.
—— Andy Howells , South Wales Argus