The Imaginary: Now on Netflix - Hardcover

Harrold, A.F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802738117 ISBN 13: 9780802738110

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2015

Synopsis

Now an animated feature film on Netflix!

Perfect for fans of Coraline and Roald Dahl, this fully-illustrated journey into the secret world of imaginary friends is quirky, dark, and utterly irresistible.

Rudger is Amanda Shuffleup's imaginary friend. Nobody else can see Rudger-until the evil Mr. Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr. Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumor has it that he even eats them. And now he's found Rudger.

Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. He needs to find Amanda before Mr. Bunting catches him-and before Amanda forgets him and he fades away to nothing. But how can an unreal boy stand alone in the real world?

Featuring gorgeous illustrations and a beautiful design, this suspenseful fantasy tells a powerful tale of friendship, imagination, and remembering what you never knew you lost.

About this title

About the Authors

A.F. Harrold (1975 - present) is an English poet and author who writes and performs for adults and children. Some of the things he makes (books, poems, faces) are funny, some are strange, some are sad, and many of them involve the privilege of working with amazing illustrators. He often visits schools, reading poems and running workshops and juggling ideas.

He is the owner of many books, a handful of hats, a few good ideas and one beard. He lives in Reading with a stand-up comedian and two cats.

Emily Gravett is an award-winning children's author and illustrator who lives in Brighton, England. She is the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for Wolves and Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears.

Reviews

Gr 4–7—This inventive mix of humor and suspense starts with the amusing appearance of Amanda's imaginary friend, Rudger. Their summer of make-believe adventures quickly darkens, though, when Mr. Bunting shows up. He's a grown-up who can not only see "Imaginaries" like Rudger, but also eats them to prolong his own life. After a narrow escape from Bunting and his creepy sidekick, a girl who's also an Imaginary, the narrative shifts from Amanda to Rudger. The boy discovers a secret library full of other imaginary people and creatures, then finds his way back to Amanda for a final confrontation with Bunting. The premise of the Imaginaries is unveiled nicely, with a plot that's never predictable. The author is equally adept at depicting lighthearted characterizations and scenes that are truly scary. Gravett's illustrations provide excellent support for the story, ranging from black-and-white spot art to full-page images, along with several full-color spreads. Some are fun, while others are chilling, such as the series of images that uses alternating all-black pages to lead into a harrowing portrait of the evil Imaginary girl, staring right at Amanda as she tries to hide. The eerie moments never overwhelm the larger story, though, and questions about the power and limits of imagination provide some food for thought amid the action. VERDICT A great choice for readers who like fantastic tales with a dose of true scariness.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802738117
• ISBN 13: 9780802738110
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Gravett Emily
• Number of pages: 240