David Maybury | Blog

I’m nearly certain that there is a great big switch somewhere that makes time move faster from 5pm on a Friday until midnight on a Sunday. It’s Monday again all ready… but this Monday is different - it’s the beginning of the end. (That ‘end’ isn’t of a ‘world is coming to an end‘ kind - more that I’m only four Mondays away from flying away!) Plenty of time to brag…

And since I’m on the topic of bragging - did anyone see this weekends Irish Independent?? No? It featured not one, not two, but, technically, three articles on children’s books.

Sarah Webb reviews Derek Landy’s new Skullduggery Pleasant - Landy’s dialogue crackles with authenticity and wit. And there is a run down of all the new releases so far - including a mention of Oisín McGann’s The Baby Giant and the upcoming new releases from Mercier Press.

And there is the mandatory call for votes in the Irish Book Awards - have you voted yet?

In the Times UK - Amanda Craig has an easter round-up (’tis the season) that covers old and new books - including Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, Derek Landy’s new Skulduggery Pleasant (have I mentioned that already?) and Martin Jenkins and Chris Riddell’s take on Don Quixote.

In the Sunday Times Nicolette Jones reviews Dawn Casey and Anne Wilson’s The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales:

This attractive book marries ancient wisdom with modern environmentalism, collecting seven tales from around the world and telling us how to take care of the earth.

Sticking with round-ups, Jane Sandell and Keith Gray appear in the Scotsman with a list that covers everything from toddler to teenager - including Linda Newbery’s The Sandfather, Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble and Julia Donaldson’s Running On The Cracks.

It is the end of an era in the Independent UK - as Suzi Feay finishes up as books editor. In her own words - Reigning in hell has been such fantastic fun. Elsewhere in the paper Roy of the Rovers gives a tell all interview. And with the theme of football - Wayne Rooney revealed that his favourite book is Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone.

The Guardian has the news that Maya Soetoro-Ng, Barrack Obama’s half sister, is to write a picture book - publiched by Candlewick. Sticking with the Guardian, Philip Ardagh reviews the rollercoaster that is Andy Mulligan’s Ribblestrop.

Andy Mulligan’s first foray into children’s fiction is a blast of fresh air. It’s weird and wonderful and very hard to define…. …Ribblestrop is disgracefully dangerous high-octane fun of the highest order: an outrageous delight.

State Magazine’s John Walshe talks to Cam Gigandet, also known as James in the film adaptation of Twilight. 

Elsewhere in the world: Tor announced that the first of Robert Jordan’s conclusion to the Wheel of Time will be released on 3 November, 2009.

Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn was announced as winner of the Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.

The Monsters have are still keeping those authors hostage - but the care they’re getting seems to be okay, they have access to Spielberg, Lucas and Kasdan transcripts.

And finally - I missed this last week - The Sunday Tribune featured a ghostbuster.

Nine times out of 10 our clients need a plumber not a priest.

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