Big Imaginary News!
A full length, hand drawn animated movie, based on the story of The Imaginary is out now in Japan (and coming in 2024 to the rest of the world via Netflix) from the masterminds of Studio Ponoc. Directed by Yoshiyuki Momose (who worked on various Studio Ghibli films, including Spirited Away and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya) it’s going to be a brand new imagining of the story, that I, for one, am dead excited to see.
The Imaginary
Rudger is Amanda Shuffleup’s imaginary friend. It’s a funny old life, not really being there, but someone’s got to do it.
Nobody else can see Rudger - until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda’s door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he’s sniffed out Rudger.
Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?
A story of love, loss, imagination and not really being there, recommended for 8+ (ish), and illustrated throughout by the amazing award-winning Emily Gravett.
To get an idea of what the insides look like with Emily's brilliant pictures visit the The Imaginary gallery here. And to read some reviews try here or here or here (or do a search for other ones (or read the book and write your own one somewhere) (or just trust me when I say you'll like it)).
Longlisted for CILIP Carnegie and CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals (2016).
Shortlisted for Leeds Book Award (2015), Sheffield Children's Book Award (2015), Redbridge Children's Book Award (2015), The English Association 4-11 Picture Books Award (2015), St Helen's School Library Service Book Award (2016), Haringey Children's Book Award (2017).
Winner of the UKLA Book Award (7-11 category) (2016) and British Book Design and Production Award (children's category and overall winner) (2015).
Special Mention in the BolognaRagazza Crossmedia Awards (2024).
‘The Imaginary is one of the cleverest & best children’s books I’ve ever read.’ - Hannah Gold
To buy a copy of The Imaginary, signed by me and posted to you click the link below. The book is £9, including UK postage. (For overseas orders please contact me first to find out the appropriate postage.)
To learn about how The Imaginary came to be, check out Imagining the Imaginary, a limited edition small press essay-book available exclusively from over here.
To download the amazing audio version, read by the wonderful Sarah Ovens, you can either download it from Audible or get it from iTunes.
Fancy some video reviews to stick in your eyes and ears, in English, Polish and Spanish? Or a book trailer in Portuguese from the book's Brazilian publisher? Try these... (Or search YouTube for others... there are more... trust me...)
