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Children's books

September children's chapter book of the month - The Windvale Sprites - Mackenzie Crook

39 replies

RachelMumsnet · 04/09/2012 19:06

Kicking off this brand new slot we're delighted to announce The Windvale Sprites by Mackenzie Crook as September's children's chapter book of the month.

Beautifully illustrated throughout by Mackenzie Crook's own illustrations, The Windvale Sprites tells the story of Asa, who wakes up after a storm to find that his town is almost unrecognisable. Amongst the debris in his back garden he finds the body of a small winged creature. A creature that looks very like a fairy. Asa sets out to find out whether fairies really do exists - a journey that leads him to discover much more than he'd anticipated...

Described by The Times' Nicolette Jones as '..a charming, finely produced little treasure, told with clarity, wit and lightness', we think this debut novel is a worthy choice for September's chapter book of the month. To find out more about the novel and author and how to enter the draw to win one of fifty copies of the book, visit the Chapter book of the month page. If you are one of the lucky winners, do let us know what you and your kids think by posting on this thread.

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Morebiscuitsplease · 05/09/2012 10:14

Seen this book in our local library. Think it might be one for my daughter...looks good. Anyone else any feedback?

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gazzalw · 06/09/2012 08:54

This looks fab and we had it in our "to buy when it comes out in paperback" booklist - he is another talented guy!

Fingers crossed!

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RachelMumsnet · 06/09/2012 13:24

There's still some copies of The Windvale Sprites up for grabs so the form is still open to apply for your free copy. We'll let you know when they've all gone. Great news is we've just had word from Faber that author Mackenzie Crook is happy to answer ten questions sent in from Mumsnetters. Post your question to Mackenzie on this thread before the end of 14 September. If your question is answered you will win a signed copy of The Windvale Sprites.

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MrsBitchArseUsedToBeBran · 06/09/2012 16:33

Is that a Camberwell Carrot in Mackenzie's hand? Shock

I think that is my question to him actually. Grin

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gazzalw · 06/09/2012 16:55

Hi Mackenzie, you would have seemed to me to be a Harry Potter natural and surprised to note that you haven't been in any of the eight films in the franchise. Were you approached for a part or was it a deliberate decision on your part not to act in any of them? If you had played a part in a Harry Potter film who would you have felt a natural affinity to play?

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RachelMumsnet · 07/09/2012 11:35

The books have now all gone. We'll be sending the names and addresses over to the publisher later today and you should receive your copies next week. Do come back and post your thoughts and send your comments and questions to Mackenzie.

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Hopezibah · 07/09/2012 23:49

The book sounds amazing. My question is we would love to know what things / people inspire you most in your writing?

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GettinTrimmer · 09/09/2012 07:59

Hi MacKenzie, I like the sound of your book, will be ordering a copy.

What books did you enjoy as a child? My ds is 10 and I'm always looking out for books that inspire him to carry on reading.

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MrsBitchArseUsedToBeBran · 09/09/2012 17:08

I take back my question. I watched the video on the website and it's a regular cigarette, it's just the way the shadow falls in the photo that makes it look irregular.

My new question is, which did you enjoy more, writing the story or doing the illustrations?

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Eirwen · 11/09/2012 08:29

Hi Mackenzie,
My teenage daughter is a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan and thought you were fantastic in the film. She's also really keen on anything to do with myths, legends, superstitions, fairies etc. and was very impressed that you are also a writer and talented illustrator. If possible she would like to ask two questions. First, do you believe in fairies? Secondly, how on earth did they film you with a wooden eye !?!

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Beanbagz · 13/09/2012 14:31

Got this book from my local library. My daughter & I both loved it!

My question - is there another book in the pipeline?

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aristocat · 13/09/2012 22:56

Hello Mackenzie, do your children like your book? Have they had any influence in your writing or how the story developed?

Thanks Smile

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Prarieflower · 16/09/2012 10:07

Hi Mackenzie just received your book from Redhouse for my 8 year old twin boys,was staggered to see you did the illustrations too.

My question is when on earth did you find the time to do both and were you arty at school?

Also are you going to write anymore books for kids?

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gazzalw · 18/09/2012 09:30

Thank you so much for the copy we received. Read it to DD as bedtime reading and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a rare breed of book which I think appeals to young and older children and girls and boys....

The illustrations are beautiful by the way - what came first to you - the plot or the pictures in your mind?

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rose49petter · 21/09/2012 06:38

Some Author considers their book as an adult. Reader after reading it doesn't feel it?s an adult. Because they feel the content present in the book are about real life, they are not that much of an adult.

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dinkystinky · 25/09/2012 16:38

I'm reading it to my 6 year old older son - he's enjoying it but asked me where you got the idea from (he's convinced sprites are real)?

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thisthreadwilloutme · 28/09/2012 09:55

We are reading it to my 5 year old daughter. She loves it, but word of warning it mentions that Father Christmas and fairies are not real! We missed that bit out but some older kids who still believe might have their bubble burst.

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dinkystinky · 28/09/2012 10:08

I edited that bit out about FC Thisthread - the tooth fairy I left in (as DS thinks its a tooth mouse anyway!)

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Firewall · 01/10/2012 12:54

We love your book and would love to know what inspired you to write a children's book? Is it something you've always wanted to do?

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RachelMumsnet · 01/10/2012 13:43

Thanks for the questions and comments. We've sent a selection of ten questions over to Mackenzie and will be posting his answers up within the next couple of weeks. If your question is answered you will win a signed copy of The Windvale Sprites.

We'll be announcing October's chapter book of the month tomorrow along with the details of how to access your free copy so watch this space.

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RachelMumsnet · 16/10/2012 12:55

You can read the answers to your Qs from Mackenzie Crook, where you can also see a video of him talking about The Windvale Sprites.

Congratulations to all those whose questions were answered. Each will receive a signed copy of the Windvale Sprites. We'll be contacting you by PM with more information. Huge thanks to Mackenzie for his answers which made us chuckle...

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gazzalw · 16/10/2012 13:14

Ha, what a card! Thank you for answering my questions Mackenzie and will look forward to your next book! All the best!

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aristocat · 16/10/2012 13:15

Thanks woweee have just seen Mackenzies answers and I like him even more than before. Thank you for a super book which we will treasure.

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Prarieflower · 16/10/2012 13:38

Wow,just received my e-mail,my boys are going to be thrilled.Many thanks!

Really enjoyed reading Mackenzie's Q&A,thank you for answering our question.

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Firewall · 16/10/2012 15:42

Haha! Loved reading the Q&A.

Thanks for answering my question. YOU ARE AMAZING. That is all. :D

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