7-9 years. This is a book which all too rarely comes along. Full of imagination, strange creatures, inventions and happenings; I’ve not found a reader who hasn’t absolutely adored it whether they’re 7 or 12 or 72.
Illustrated quite beautifully throughout by the author this novel is a labour of love – a brilliant debut - and one which will endure for its content is so special.
Here Be Monsters!: The Ratbridge Chronicles Vol 1 Synopsis
Welcome to Ratbridge. But beware - for there is skulduggery afoot. Arthur has fallen foul of the appalling Snatcher and is trapped alone in the town, with no way home. Meanwhile Snatcher and his men are working tirelessly in secret on a fiendish and dastardly plan to take over Ratbridge - and the world. With the help of Willbury Nibble QC, some friendly boxtrolls and cabbage-heads, Marjorie the frustrated inventor, and the rats and pirates from the Ratbridge Nautical Laundry, can Arthur thwart Snatcher's evil plans - and find his way home?
"With belting characters, adorable illustrations and other fantastic inventions it will keep a child’s appetite for fun fully satisfied." The Big Issue
'as much fun to look at as it is to read' Sunday Times
Author
About Alan Snow
Alan Snow is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and designer who has worked on more than 160 books. His novel, Here Be Monsters (OUP, 2005), was made into an animated film, The Boxtrolls, which spent several weeks at the top of the UK box office in 2015. Fascinated with ‘how things work’, Alan turned his attentions towards the kitchen, acquiring sophisticated equipment such as vacuum machine, centrifuge, freeze dryer and shock chiller, and has developed his own culinary ‘lab’. He has since consulted for The Ethicurian restaurant. Alan now runs workshops and courses for professional chefs and cooks. His gastronomic experiments are due to be filmed for a documentary. Alan has won numerous awards for his work as a children’s book illustrator as well as for design and computer animation.
