Manley, Ben – The Bell Bookshop

The pipsqueak

Emma — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

You don’t need super powers to be a hero… or to make enemies into friends.In Hero’s gang, everyone has a special skill. Well, everybody but Pip. Pip isn’t strong, he can’t run fast or make himself invisible. He might not have any amazing talents, but when bully Solo invades their spot, Pip shows the gang that you just need guts to be a hero.

Constance in Peril

Emma — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Constance in Peril is a brilliantly funny story from the creators of the critically acclaimed The Misadventures of Frederick, a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Year. Told with all Ben Manley’s characteristic wit and genius for comic timing, with beautiful, atmospheric illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark adding to the fun.

Edward’s favourite toy was a soft, old, cloth doll. Her name was Constance Hardpenny and she had led a tragic life.

Having been rescued from a rubbish bin by a boy called Edward, Constance suffers a series of potentially catastrophic incidents. More suited to elegant tea parties in a bygone age, she nevertheless remains stoic throughout. From being forgotten and left out in the rain or trapped up a tree, even being caught between the jaws of the neighbour’s dog, Constance is constantly finding herself in mortal danger. Although she’s luckily rescued each time by the watchful Grace, Edward’s loving older sister, it seems disaster is never far behind.

Is Constance doomed to suffer a life of never-ending peril? Probably.

Constance in Peril

Emma — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Edward’s favourite toy was a soft, old, cloth doll. Her name was Constance Hardpenny and she had led a tragic life.

Is Constance doomed to suffer a life of never-ending peril? Probably.

Vampire Peter

Emma — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone says Peter is the baddest boy in school. He likes strange food, wears strange clothes and does strange things. In fact, Peter isn’t like anyone the other children have ever met. So when the class gerbil goes missing, Lucy lets Peter take the blame, even though she knows it wasn’t anything to do with him… An insightful story about prejudice, friendship and redemption during one truly unforgettable Halloween.

Albert Talbot, Master of Disguise

Emma — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A story of imagination and adventure from the acclaimed author of The Misadventures of Frederick, Ben Manley, and Daddy Long Legs illustrator Aurélie Guillerey.

Who will Albert be next? A fearless mountaineer, a brilliant mechanical engineer or a galactic megalord? Anything is possible with an imagination like Albert’s as he powers through his day.

As a boy, Albert is nervous in a swimming lesson, but as Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and slayer of vampire cuttlefish, he’s as brave and bold as can be. Show and Tell in front of the whole class can be a bit scary, but by imagining himself to be Professor Octavius Pickleswick he’s proud to show off his greatest invention yet.

A brilliantly funny story, full of exciting things to look at, about the joys of being whoever you want to be . . . and the comfort of sometimes just being yourself.

The Misadventures of Frederick

Emma — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Year. Children’s Book of the Week in both the Times and Guardian.

The Misadventures of Frederick is a funny, joyful story about friendship and the delights of outdoor adventures (even for the accident-prone) – wonderfully written by the talented Ben Manley and beautifully illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, creator of Plumdog and Blue Kangaroo.

In a mansion surrounded by lakes and forests, Frederick is bored. He leads a very sheltered life: and when Emily invites him to play outside he has no choice but to refuse – what if he hurts himself? Much better to stay safely indoors. But Emily is not one to take no for an answer . . .

A series of brilliantly funny and evocative letters between Frederick and Emily tell this unique story which weaves together the colourful, adventurous world of Emily with Frederick’s drab life of boredom and safety.