Today's read doesn't hit the shelves until later October, which should be just right to dive into Halloween, too. So, why did I pick it up and show it now? Because I couldn't wait. First off, I enjoy the cover with the friendliness, magic, and promise of adventure. Secondly, it's being translated into English after experiencing success in French. I always have a soft-spot for international literature. That's why I'm just giving into my own impatience and sharing it with you guys early. Is it worth it?
Well, let's find out!
ELFIE'S GRIMOIRE
by Audrey Alwett &
Christophe Arleston
Translated by Rebecca Potters
Illustrated by Ludivine Marques-Verissimo
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Middle Grade Fantasy / Graphic Novel
240 pages
ages 8 to 12
COMING OCTOBER 20th!!!
A lush, award-winning graphic novel series that blends sisterhood, cozy magic, and heartfelt adventure set aboard a traveling bookshop bus. A perfect read for fans of Sorceline and The Tea Dragon Society.
After the death of their mother, Elfie and her two sisters hit the road in a converted bookshop bus, bringing stories to small towns across France and recovering as a family together along the way.
Then Elfie is gifted her late mother's magical grimoire, a book that draws power from the stories Elfie writes herself. From a missing stamp in a seaside village to an accidental army of gingerbread men, her adventures are as fun and chaotic as her budding powers! As she starts to unlock her magical legacy, she also uncovers hidden family secrets and the truth about who her mother really was.
Elfie’s Grimoire contains:
- Gorgeous, full color comics
- An authentic, beautiful French setting, including learning about French history
- A loving but complicated family that always finds their way back to each other
- A whole new world to explore of witches, magic, spells
Climb aboard the Stinky Book bus and unlock Elfie's magical powers!
MY TIDBITS
With magic, sisterly bonds, and the desire to help when trouble arises, this character is one to cheer for and wish she could be your friend, too.
After the death of their mother, Elfie's oldest sister transforms a double-decker bus into a mobile book store (plus, apartment), and the three sisters travel around France while earning their living. When Elfie discovers a grimoire, she takes it as an opportunity to try to find her inspiration as a writer. After all, Elfie's mother was one, and her stories were amazing. While story inspiration doesn't flow as well as it could, Elfie's other hobby, orgami, comes to life in the form of a talking, frog friend that her and only select others can see. Elfie soon figures out that her mother was a witch, and story telling opens the door to an entire realm of magic. While Elfie is trying to figure all of this out without letting her sisters know...at least, for now..., their travels take them from one town to the next. Each place they stop, they run into adventure as they meet individuals with some sticky problems. Add the ups and downs of sister relationships, and this is anything but a boring adventure.
France offers a rich and beautiful backdrop to this heartfilled tale and comes to life thanks to lovingly created graphics. There's a sense of playfulness to match the fantasy and Elfie's perky personality, but there's also a gentle atmosphere of culture, values, and French heritage as this trio heads from one town to the next. It is, however, set in modern day, which adds a fun and unique twist. This setting depth also influences the text as the insights and thoughts Elfie, occassionally, adds to her grimoire are shown in clear cursive (her writing). It creates a wholesome foundation for the magic, mysteries, and surprises.
Elfie's magic adds a fun, whimsical touch, especially since she has to figure out this entire aspect on her own...and it isn't easy even with a talking frog clinging to her and offering his 'help' along the way. She gets clues as they travel around and meet different people, but it's a slow puzzle. Plus, each town offers its own problems to overcome as they friends they make tend to have large problems that need to be solved. These add messages surrounding relationships, kindness, determination, and more, and steer the story as much, if not more, than the magical aspect does. There is whimsical magic with imagination and surprises, but there's also forming friendships, discovering true wrong-doers, finding ways to steer through difficult situations, and working through situations which seem impossible.
To add even more fun, there occassional inserts of how-tos and more. It fits wonderfully with the whimsical aura of the tale and keeps things interesting. In other words, this book is all abouts magic, smiles, and tons of heart.
Book Trailer...in French
As mentioned above, this appeared first in French and is being translated into the English language...which means that there is a trailer that already exists. In French, though, but I still found it fun to watch.
And here they are...
Christophe Arleston is the common pen name of French comic book writer and editor Christopher Pelinq. He is best known for creating the Lanfeust of Troy series and its many sequels and prequels.
He also worked as "Scotch Arleston".
An author for over 20 years, Audrey Alwett is best known for writing Princess Sara and The Fairy Garden, illustrated by Nora Moretti, as well as the series Elfie's Grimoire, illustrated by Mini-Ludvin. Among other books, Audrey Alwett also wrote the Magic Charly trilogy, bestselling titles published by Gallimard, which explore themes of justice, consent, and friendship.
Since the biology faculty refused her ambitious "unicorn rat creation" program, Mini Ludvin instead focused her studies on drawing. With this 10 years of experience in animated cinema, she decided in 2015 to return to her first loves: children's illustration and comics. Since then, she has illustrated several series of children's novels and works regularly for children's media, always ready to bring to life worlds full of fantasy and humor.
He also worked as "Scotch Arleston".
An author for over 20 years, Audrey Alwett is best known for writing Princess Sara and The Fairy Garden, illustrated by Nora Moretti, as well as the series Elfie's Grimoire, illustrated by Mini-Ludvin. Among other books, Audrey Alwett also wrote the Magic Charly trilogy, bestselling titles published by Gallimard, which explore themes of justice, consent, and friendship.
Since the biology faculty refused her ambitious "unicorn rat creation" program, Mini Ludvin instead focused her studies on drawing. With this 10 years of experience in animated cinema, she decided in 2015 to return to her first loves: children's illustration and comics. Since then, she has illustrated several series of children's novels and works regularly for children's media, always ready to bring to life worlds full of fantasy and humor.
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