Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City by Rob Biddulph

Once in a while a book comes along that is totally special in every possible way. Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City by Rob Biddulph is just this type of book – bursting with middle grade magic, adventure and stunning artwork, the hardback edition is a thing of absolute beauty. This is definitely one to add to the Christmas list!

Synopsis:

Drawing feels like magic to Peanut Jones. But art can’t fix her problems. Her dad has gone missing, and she’s stuck in a boring new school. Until the day she finds a unique pencil turbo-charged with special powers. Suddenly she’s pulled into a world packed with more colour, creativity, excitement and danger than she could ever have imagined. And maybe, just maybe, she might find out what happened to her dad.

What a total joy from start to finish. The plot is set out in short, snappy chapters which help to maintain the speedy pace throughout. This is also aided by the fact that most pages are highly illustrated (much more so than in your typical middle grade novel), with Biddulph’s incredible artwork.

There is so much humour and heart in here that it’s impossible not to fall in love with this cast of characters. I was so sad when I finished it, but thrilled to hear it’s going to be a trilogy – I’m going to need book 2 immediately please!

With thanks to Macmillan for sending me a finished copy to review. Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City is out now.