Elfie’s Spellbook
Christophe Arleston, Audrey Alwett, Mini Ludvin
Puffin

This bind up contains two stories in a graphic novel series: Elfie’s Spellbook and The Song of the Cicadas.

At the start of the first, Ellie introduces herself telling readers that she and her teenage sister have been living near Paris with their curmudgeonly Aunt Delphine since their mother died almost a year ago. But then their older sister, Louette turns up, driving her London bus-cum travelling bookshop, announcing that she has won custody of her younger siblings. Free at last, off they head with Louette at the wheel, first stop a place called Kermalo. Elfie is thrilled that all the sisters are together, particularly when Louette announces that they’ve each been left a special gift by their mother. Elfie’s gift is a notebook with gems on the cover. This is no ordinary notebook however; it’s a grimoire – a witch’s spellbook.

That night Elfie makes a start with her writing and then before falling asleep she tears a page from the book and makes an origami frog that she names Salicorne. Magically the frog comes to life but in the morning it has disappeared, only temporarily so it turns out. It reappears later on and speaks to Elfie telling her that only witches can hear it speak. It transpires that when Elfie writes a story in her special book, magic comes to life. Can she though, discover how to use her magic for good, help solve the mystery that has torn apart a small French village and bring the whole community together again?
Bursting with witchy magic, this story is certain to enchant readers who will eagerly continue to The Song of the Cicadas.

It opens with the book-bus moving on to new pastures – a sun drenched village in Provence called Gonerbes where they hope to meet writer Alistair Kinloch a friend of their mother’s; it was she who had been instrumental in making him become a best-selling author. When they start asking him about his new book, he’s reluctant to say much about it other than that it’s complicated.

Later, they discover that Alastair is being threatened. His cherished vintage typewriter, a gift from their Maman, has been stolen and now he is suffering from writer’s block.

Who though would want to harm Alastair and why? Time for Elfie to turn detective and find out, perhaps with the aid of some tiny, new magical friends. Can they discover what has happened to Alastair’s typewriter and will he find his muse again?

Captivating, joyful and magical with friendship and family at its heart.