The Imaginary (novel) facts for kids
First edition (UK)
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| Author | A. F. Harrold |
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| Illustrator | Emily Gravett |
| Cover artist | Emily Gravett |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Published | 2014 (Bloomsbury) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 220 |
| ISBN | 9781408852460 |
| OCLC | 887936791 |
The Imaginary is a 2014 children's novel. It was written by A. F. Harrold and has beautiful pictures by Emily Gravett. The story is about a little girl named Amanda and her special imaginary friend, Rudger.
Contents
About The Imaginary
The Imaginary tells a magical story about friendship and growing up. It explores what happens to imaginary friends when the children who imagine them get older. This book makes you think about the power of your own mind.
What's the Story?
The main character is Amanda. She has an imaginary friend named Rudger. Rudger is always there for her. They have many fun adventures together.
But then, a scary man named Mr. Bunting appears. He hunts imaginary friends. He wants to make them disappear forever. Rudger must hide to stay safe.
Amanda and Rudger get separated. Rudger finds himself in a special place. This place is full of other imaginary friends. They are all waiting for their children to remember them. Rudger learns a lot about himself there. He also learns about the world of imaginary friends.
The story follows Rudger's journey. He tries to find Amanda again. He also tries to understand his own existence. It's a tale about loyalty, courage, and the importance of imagination.
Meet the Characters
The book has a few key characters. They help tell this unique story.
Rudger
Rudger is Amanda's imaginary friend. He is kind and curious. He looks like a boy. He can only be seen by Amanda. He is very loyal to her. Rudger learns a lot about himself during his adventure. He discovers what it means to be imaginary.
Amanda
Amanda is a young girl. She is the only one who can see Rudger. She has a vivid imagination. She loves Rudger very much. Amanda faces a big challenge when Rudger disappears. She must find a way to bring him back.
Mr. Bunting
Mr. Bunting is the villain of the story. He is a mysterious and scary man. He hunts imaginary friends. He makes them disappear. He believes imaginary friends should not exist.
Who Wrote and Drew It?
The book was created by two talented people. One wrote the words. The other drew the pictures.
About A. F. Harrold
A. F. Harrold is a British author. He writes books for children and adults. He is also a poet. He is known for his imaginative stories. The Imaginary is one of his most popular children's books.
About Emily Gravett
Emily Gravett is a British illustrator. She drew all the pictures for The Imaginary. Her drawings are very unique. They help bring the story to life. She has won many awards for her artwork in children's books.
Why Read This Book?
The Imaginary is more than just a fun story. It has important messages. It makes readers think about big ideas.
Themes in the Story
- Imagination: The book celebrates the power of imagination. It shows how important it is for children. It also shows how imaginary friends can be real to those who create them.
- Friendship: The bond between Amanda and Rudger is very strong. It shows how much friends mean to us. Even if one friend is imaginary.
- Growing Up: The story touches on what happens as children grow older. Sometimes, imaginary friends are forgotten. The book explores this idea in a gentle way.
- Loss and Memory: It also deals with the sadness of losing someone. It shows how memories keep things alive.
Awards and Recognition
The Imaginary was well-received by readers and critics. It was nominated for several awards. It won the 2015 Kate Greenaway Medal for its illustrations. This award is given to the best illustrated children's book in the UK. It was also shortlisted for the 2015 Carnegie Medal. This is a major award for children's literature.
