The Wizards' Banquet
Age 7+
Fantasy & Magical Realism Adventure Stories
A rollicking fairy-tale adventure full of magical mayhem, from the makers of The Adventures of Alfie Onion, The Cherry Pie Princess and Tom & Tallulah and the Witches' Feast.
Pippin Potts is a helpful boy, which is exactly what forgetful wizard Abacus Peridot is looking for in an assistant who can help him get to the Wizards’ Centenary Banquet, so that he can be the hundredth wizard to arrive and win the golden cup. On their journey the pair soon bump into evil wizard Boldways Grime and mischievous elf Kitty Scarper who are secretly plotting against them. But Pippin is determined. With help from the magical Ms Latterly Pot and trusty crow Mavis, can Pippin guide Master Abacus through the Nine Hen Hills, cross the Rumbling Rocks and pass the Neverending Forest in time to win the golden cup? Vivian French's funny and uplifting story is brought to life by Marta Kissi's warm illustrations – the result is a charming book that's not to be missed!
Creators
Vivian French is a much-loved author who has written more than 300 books for children. She teaches on the illustration course at Edinburgh School of Art, and helped to found the mentoring scheme Picture Hooks for aspiring young illustrators. In 2016, she received an MBE for services to literature, literacy, illustration and the arts. Follow Viv on Twitter under the handle @fivekingdoms, or visit her at her website: www.vivianfrench.com.
Marta Kissi is a rising star in the world of children's book illustration. She studied illustration and animation at Kingston University, before completing an MA at the Royal College of Art. Follow Marta on Twitter under the handle @MartaDlugolecka, or visit her at her website: www.kissikissi.com.
Reviews
Readers will delight in the abundance of magic and mayhem in this latest of Vivian French’s fantasies; there’s a degree of mischief and wickedness too. From her opening paragraph, we know we’ll be swept away, unable to stop reading until the final page. […] Put together Vivian French’s wonderful way with words, and wizardry at world building and character creating and Marta Kissi’s enchanting black and white illustrations: the result is sheer enchantment.
Red Reading Hub
“This is a very funny, warm hearted story full of magic and adventure.”
Primary Times
