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Review & Giveaway: Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City

National treasure Rob Biddulph, whose record-breaking illustration events during lockdown gained an army of fans young and old, publishes his first illustrated chapter book this month. Peanut Jones is a wonderfully imaginative story with likeable characters and plenty of action and adventure. Pernilla Jones (Peanut to her friends) isn’t having the best time. Her dad suddenly disappeared over a year ago, her mum is moving on and dating someone Peanut can’t stand and she has been made to move schools, leaving her beloved Melody High behind in favour of St Hubert’s School for the Seriously Scientific and Terminally Mathematic. Peanut is paired with Rockwell Riley as part of a study buddy scheme to help new students settle and she couldn’t be more disinterested.

BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations

 

We’re delighted to share a brilliant new middle-grade book publishing today, called Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City (available here) by Guinness World Record breaker and award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph.

 

This is Rob’s first book for middle-grade and he is best known for his picture books including Blown Away, Odd Dog Out and his staggering Draw with Rob Instagram classes over lockdown.

 

We’ll let Rob introduce the book in this exclusive video especially for our followers. Then, read on for our Review Panel’s review and a chance to win one of three copies…

 
 
 
 
 

Book Title: Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City (available here)

Author/Illustrator: Rob Biddulph

Publisher: Macmillan

Publication Date: September 2021

Most Suitable for: Ages 8-11

Reviewer: Marion Park

 

National treasure Rob Biddulph, whose record-breaking illustration events during lockdown gained an army of fans young and old, publishes his first illustrated chapter book this month. Peanut Jones is a wonderfully imaginative story with likeable characters and plenty of action and adventure.

 

Pernilla Jones (Peanut to her friends) isn’t having the best time. Her dad suddenly disappeared over a year ago, her mum is moving on and dating someone Peanut can’t stand and she has been made to move schools, leaving her beloved Melody High behind in favour of St Hubert’s School for the Seriously Scientific and Terminally Mathematic. Peanut is paired with Rockwell Riley as part of a study buddy scheme to help new students settle and she couldn’t be more disinterested.

 

One day, when she finds a magic pencil that has the power to make drawings a reality, Peanut sets out to find out what really happened to her dad. She takes Rockwell and her little sister, Little Bit, along for the ride in this alternate dimension where there is always danger and surprise around the corner. The story follows her journey into a hidden world where she must think quickly and use her drawing powers to save herself, her friends and the people she meets from those who wish to destroy all creativity – all the while, searching for the truth about her dad.

Throughout the book, there are superb, detailed drawings which are in black, white and orange, giving the book a unique style. This is the first in a trilogy about friendship and creativity. The short chapters make it easy to read and I look forward to the next instalment.

A triumphant entry into the chapter book world from Rob Biddulph.

 

Order Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City online from Amazon or Bookshop.

 

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Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City also features on our September top recommendations list.

For more books we love this month, check out our September 2021 Books of the Month.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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***Book Giveaway***

 
 

Thanks to the publishers at Macmillan, we have three copies of Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City to give away to our followers.

 

To enter, follow @booksfortopics on Twitter and retweet the giveaway tweet.

Giveaway closes 11.59pm 8th September 2021 (UK) — terms and conditions here.

 

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Order Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City online from Amazon or Bookshop.

 

Many thanks to the publishers for sending us a review copy. Follow along with the other stops on the blog tour for more about the book.

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Where next? > Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub

> Browse our Topic Booklists

> View our printable year group booklists.

> See our Books of the Month.

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