Sam Gayton - Author
Sam Gayton lives in South London. In 2009 he completed the Writing for Young People MA at Bath Spa University. He loves American novels, Italian food and the English countryside. When he’s not writing, he likes playing old board games, strumming his guitar and joining as many rock bands as possible (currently at seven). Sam often visits schools and libraries across the country to talk about his magical books.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month January 2017 Full of astonishing imagination and curious and unexpected adventures, His Royal Whiskers is a royal romp of a story that will delight all those who love magic, mystery, mayhem - and cats! Breakfast is ruined for a ferocious Czar when he discovers that something truly dreadful has happened to his royal son and heir. The young prince hasn't been kidnapped but, even worse, he has been turned into a cat! And a cat with fleas just to add insult to injury. How the Prince and his clever friends outwit the fearsome Czar is a delight. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for January 2017 The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson The Crayons’ Book of Numbers by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers The Crayons’ Book of Colours by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Jim by Hilaire Belloc and Mini Grey His Royal Whiskers by Sam Gayton
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2016 Book Award in the 7 - 11 year old category. Greta needs a hero, someone to defeat the murderous giant Yuk. She goes to see Mr Stickler, proprietor of Happily Ever Afters, motto, ‘You bring the quest, we’ll do the rest’, intending to hire one. But things don’t go according to plan, and Greta finds herself paired with Hercufleas, a flea. Fleas are not the most obvious giant-killers, but like the best heroes, Hercules makes up in brains, courage and resolve for what he lacks in brawn. This wildly inventive story is packed full of bizarre and original scenes and characters, but never once lets the momentum of the story slip. Hercufleas and Greta are irresistible characters, and the book ends with a surprising and rewarding twist. Unbefleavable fun! ~ Andrea Reece
The Snow Merchant is a fantasy filled with family secrets, magical transformations and wild adventure. Join Lettie on her journey to uncover the true meaning of snow, family and friendship. A gripping debut.
March 2014 Book of the Month How can a little girl who is only three inches tall survive after her capture by the giant Gulliver? Poor Lily, dressed in handkerchiefs which have been sewn together with spider thread, has always listened to her Nana and tried to keep herself safe. One day a giant Gulliver, who claims to have visited the island before, arrives and sweeps her off on an adventure that will take her to England. Can Lily escape? She is determined to in this exciting adventure in which the relative sizes of the characters allows for all kinds of unusual and original adventures. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lilliput a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'I loved this book, a step back into the adventures of old Lilliput is a true fairy story for kids of all ages to enjoy, but especially those who still believe in magic.' - Raimy Greenland. Scroll down to read more reviews... A Piece of Passion from Eloise Wilson, Editor Children’s Fiction, Andersen Press Like any other children’s-book lover, I’ll never forget the first time I met Sophie and the BFG; or Arrietty, Pod and Homily Clock – the Borrowers. So you can imagine my excitement when Sam started telling me about his new book idea, Lilliput. Lilliput brings all the adventure and wonder of Dahl and Norton flooding back; it’s a brand-new story of a tiny girl in a giant’s world from the magical pen of Sam Gayton. Like Arrietty and Sophie before her, Lily is feisty and compassionate with big ideas – far bigger than her size. She is impossible to forget. At six-inches tall, Lily is the smallest girl in London. Trapped by Gulliver – who is determined to use her as proof of all he has discovered – Lily attempts Escape Plan Thirty-Three. With the help of a boy with wide-open eyes, a fat, jolly chocolate-shop owner and a talkative bird, Lily embarks on the greatest adventure of her life, to find a way back home. I came across Sam’s writing when I read an excerpt from the first draft of The Snow Merchant in his MA end of year publication; I was hooked from the first page. His writing style is so wonderfully quirky and unique, but it also has the charm of beautiful old-fashioned storytelling. The Snow Merchant received a huge number of glowing reviews; the TES said it has ‘A germ of JK and a pinch of Pullman.’ I think Lilliput is every bit as special.
Inspired by Gulliver's Travels, Lilliput is an exhilarating adventure filled with cunning escape plans, evil clockmakers and very talkative parrots. Join Lily (at just 6 inches tall) as she travels over rooftops, down chimneys and into chocolate shops on a journey to find the one place in the world where she belongs...Home. It has a dollop of Dahl, a swirl of Swift and a sprinkle of something completely fresh and unique. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lilliput a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'I loved this book, a step back into the adventures of old Lilliput is a true fairy story for kids of all ages to enjoy, but especially those who still believe in magic.' - Raimy Greenland. Scroll down to read more reviews... A Piece of Passion from Eloise Wilson, Editor Children’s Fiction, Andersen Press Like any other children’s-book lover, I’ll never forget the first time I met Sophie and the BFG; or Arrietty, Pod and Homily Clock – the Borrowers. So you can imagine my excitement when Sam started telling me about his new book idea, Lilliput. Lilliput brings all the adventure and wonder of Dahl and Norton flooding back; it’s a brand-new story of a tiny girl in a giant’s world from the magical pen of Sam Gayton. Like Arrietty and Sophie before her, Lily is feisty and compassionate with big ideas – far bigger than her size. She is impossible to forget. At six-inches tall, Lily is the smallest girl in London. Trapped by Gulliver – who is determined to use her as proof of all he has discovered – Lily attempts Escape Plan Thirty-Three. With the help of a boy with wide-open eyes, a fat, jolly chocolate-shop owner and a talkative bird, Lily embarks on the greatest adventure of her life, to find a way back home. I came across Sam’s writing when I read an excerpt from the first draft of The Snow Merchant in his MA end of year publication; I was hooked from the first page. His writing style is so wonderfully quirky and unique, but it also has the charm of beautiful old-fashioned storytelling. The Snow Merchant received a huge number of glowing reviews; the TES said it has ‘A germ of JK and a pinch of Pullman.’ I think Lilliput is every bit as special.
The Snow Merchant is a fantasy filled with family secrets, magical transformations and wild adventure. Join Lettie on her journey to uncover the true meaning of snow, family and friendship. A gripping debut.
Pia lives in a zoo in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with her parents (both ghosts), several old and cranky genies, a devil, and two young angels. She spends her days trimming genie-beards, trying to avoid being tricked into selling her soul, and waiting for the angels to make a miracle big enough to save the world. Then the angels go missing. Can she solve the riddles of the mysterious haloes the angels have left behind? Is the zoo's devil really trying to help her? And what does this all have to do with her best friends, the Rekkers? Pia needs to solve the mystery fast, because everything around her seems to be ending: her friendships, her childhood, and maybe even the world itself.
Project X Hero Academy is a fully decodable and finely levelled reading series set in a school for superheroes, designed to captivate and motivate all young readers and turn them into reading superheroes. Villain Academy is in Lime+ Book Band, Oxford Level 12. In this story, the Head uncovers a future plot to overtake Hero Academy, and its up to Ben to travel into the future to save them all! Each book can be used for independent reading, but also contains inside cover notes that include help on developing vocabulary and prompt questions that can be used for guided reading and one-to-one sessions. Full guided reading notes are provided in the corresponding handbook. There are also a range of follow-up activities to support reading for pleasure.
Project X Hero Academy is a fully decodable and finely levelled reading series set in a school for superheroes, designed to captivate and motivate all young readers and turn them into reading superheroes. Robo-hop is in Lime Book Band, Oxford Level 11. In this story, the heroes are at Lexis City Parade, where they bump into Ray Ranter, arch-enemy of Hero Academy, and Robo-hop, his giant, robotic rabbit. What is Ranter planning? The heroes are about to find out! Each book can be used for independent reading, but also contains inside cover notes that include help on developing vocabulary and prompt questions that can be used for guided reading and one-to-one sessions. Full guided reading notes are provided in the corresponding handbook. There are also a range of follow-up activities to support reading for pleasure.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month January 2017 Full of astonishing imagination and curious and unexpected adventures, His Royal Whiskers is a royal romp of a story that will delight all those who love magic, mystery, mayhem - and cats! Breakfast is ruined for a ferocious Czar when he discovers that something truly dreadful has happened to his royal son and heir. The young prince hasn't been kidnapped but, even worse, he has been turned into a cat! And a cat with fleas just to add insult to injury. How the Prince and his clever friends outwit the fearsome Czar is a delight. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for January 2017 The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson The Crayons’ Book of Numbers by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers The Crayons’ Book of Colours by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Jim by Hilaire Belloc and Mini Grey His Royal Whiskers by Sam Gayton
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2016 Book Award in the 7 - 11 year old category. Greta needs a hero, someone to defeat the murderous giant Yuk. She goes to see Mr Stickler, proprietor of Happily Ever Afters, motto, ‘You bring the quest, we’ll do the rest’, intending to hire one. But things don’t go according to plan, and Greta finds herself paired with Hercufleas, a flea. Fleas are not the most obvious giant-killers, but like the best heroes, Hercules makes up in brains, courage and resolve for what he lacks in brawn. This wildly inventive story is packed full of bizarre and original scenes and characters, but never once lets the momentum of the story slip. Hercufleas and Greta are irresistible characters, and the book ends with a surprising and rewarding twist. Unbefleavable fun! ~ Andrea Reece
The Snow Merchant is a fantasy filled with family secrets, magical transformations and wild adventure. Join Lettie on her journey to uncover the true meaning of snow, family and friendship. A gripping debut.
March 2014 Book of the Month How can a little girl who is only three inches tall survive after her capture by the giant Gulliver? Poor Lily, dressed in handkerchiefs which have been sewn together with spider thread, has always listened to her Nana and tried to keep herself safe. One day a giant Gulliver, who claims to have visited the island before, arrives and sweeps her off on an adventure that will take her to England. Can Lily escape? She is determined to in this exciting adventure in which the relative sizes of the characters allows for all kinds of unusual and original adventures. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lilliput a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'I loved this book, a step back into the adventures of old Lilliput is a true fairy story for kids of all ages to enjoy, but especially those who still believe in magic.' - Raimy Greenland. Scroll down to read more reviews... A Piece of Passion from Eloise Wilson, Editor Children’s Fiction, Andersen Press Like any other children’s-book lover, I’ll never forget the first time I met Sophie and the BFG; or Arrietty, Pod and Homily Clock – the Borrowers. So you can imagine my excitement when Sam started telling me about his new book idea, Lilliput. Lilliput brings all the adventure and wonder of Dahl and Norton flooding back; it’s a brand-new story of a tiny girl in a giant’s world from the magical pen of Sam Gayton. Like Arrietty and Sophie before her, Lily is feisty and compassionate with big ideas – far bigger than her size. She is impossible to forget. At six-inches tall, Lily is the smallest girl in London. Trapped by Gulliver – who is determined to use her as proof of all he has discovered – Lily attempts Escape Plan Thirty-Three. With the help of a boy with wide-open eyes, a fat, jolly chocolate-shop owner and a talkative bird, Lily embarks on the greatest adventure of her life, to find a way back home. I came across Sam’s writing when I read an excerpt from the first draft of The Snow Merchant in his MA end of year publication; I was hooked from the first page. His writing style is so wonderfully quirky and unique, but it also has the charm of beautiful old-fashioned storytelling. The Snow Merchant received a huge number of glowing reviews; the TES said it has ‘A germ of JK and a pinch of Pullman.’ I think Lilliput is every bit as special.
Inspired by Gulliver's Travels, Lilliput is an exhilarating adventure filled with cunning escape plans, evil clockmakers and very talkative parrots. Join Lily (at just 6 inches tall) as she travels over rooftops, down chimneys and into chocolate shops on a journey to find the one place in the world where she belongs...Home. It has a dollop of Dahl, a swirl of Swift and a sprinkle of something completely fresh and unique. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lilliput a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'I loved this book, a step back into the adventures of old Lilliput is a true fairy story for kids of all ages to enjoy, but especially those who still believe in magic.' - Raimy Greenland. Scroll down to read more reviews... A Piece of Passion from Eloise Wilson, Editor Children’s Fiction, Andersen Press Like any other children’s-book lover, I’ll never forget the first time I met Sophie and the BFG; or Arrietty, Pod and Homily Clock – the Borrowers. So you can imagine my excitement when Sam started telling me about his new book idea, Lilliput. Lilliput brings all the adventure and wonder of Dahl and Norton flooding back; it’s a brand-new story of a tiny girl in a giant’s world from the magical pen of Sam Gayton. Like Arrietty and Sophie before her, Lily is feisty and compassionate with big ideas – far bigger than her size. She is impossible to forget. At six-inches tall, Lily is the smallest girl in London. Trapped by Gulliver – who is determined to use her as proof of all he has discovered – Lily attempts Escape Plan Thirty-Three. With the help of a boy with wide-open eyes, a fat, jolly chocolate-shop owner and a talkative bird, Lily embarks on the greatest adventure of her life, to find a way back home. I came across Sam’s writing when I read an excerpt from the first draft of The Snow Merchant in his MA end of year publication; I was hooked from the first page. His writing style is so wonderfully quirky and unique, but it also has the charm of beautiful old-fashioned storytelling. The Snow Merchant received a huge number of glowing reviews; the TES said it has ‘A germ of JK and a pinch of Pullman.’ I think Lilliput is every bit as special.
Lettie Peppercorn lives in a house on stilts near the wind-swept coast of Albion. Nothing incredible has ever happened to her, until one winter's night. The night the Snow Merchant comes. He claims to be an alchemist - the greatest that ever lived - and in a mahogany suitcase, he carries his newest invention. It is an invention that will change Lettie's life - and the world - forever. It is an invention called snow.
The Snow Merchant is a fantasy filled with family secrets, magical transformations and wild adventure. Join Lettie on her journey to uncover the true meaning of snow, family and friendship. A gripping debut.
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