By Ollie Locke (author) , May Van Milligen (illustrator)
"This adventure-driven picture book unveils the secret magic of London’s blue plaques"
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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As a result of its longer-than-usual text for a picture book format, Ollie Locke’s Henry and the Great White Whale bucks convention. The same applies to the age of its main character — at eight, Henry Bogget is older than most picture book protagonists, and his magical, globe-trotting adventure story will appeal to readers of 5+.
Suitable for reading aloud, thanks to its omniscient narrative voice, the story begins with an engaging set-up “on a dark, frosty night, many years ago in the depths of a cold English winter”. In this context, Henry is introduced as “an ordinary boy” with a long-kept “secret about magic in London”. Namely, London’s blue plaques serve as magical portals.
In this instance, the plaque dedicated to Herman Melville on a building opposite Henry’s bedroom transports him to the world of Moby Dick, where he voyages on the high seas with Captain Ahab and encounters the great whale before returning home to dream of his expedition before dawn breaks.
With the stage set for further adventures, and May Van Milligen’s illustrations enhancing the energy and atmosphere, Henry and the Great White Whale launches a series in adventurous, inventive style.
Henry Bogget is an ordinary boy of just eight years old, and Henry has a secret. A secret that has been kept for many, many years. A secret about magic in London.
Read the full description
In England, whenever someone changes the world and leaves their mark on history, a little round blue plaque is placed on the house where they once lived to make sure they can never be forgotten. With every discovery made, artwork painted or song written, a little trace of very powerful magic, an enchantment, is left behind.
One night, not too long ago, Henry discovered this secret and his life changed forever. An adventure beyond his wildest dreams was about to begin.
Ollie became a household name back in 2011 when he hit our screens as an original cast member of Channel 4's BAFTA award-winning tv series Made in Chelsea. Since then he has gone on to become a television favourite featuring on shows such as Celebrity Big Brother, Bear Grylls: The Island and Celebrity Hunted, as well as acting roles in the ITV2 comedy Plebs and the Micheal Winterbottom film Greed, starring alongside Isla Fisher and Steve Coogan.
Ollie became a Sunday Times bestselling author in 2014 with his debut autobiographical comedy Laid in Chelsea.
More recently he has brought out the first of the trilogy of children's books, The Island Of Fandye , reaching Number 2 in the Amazon Bestsellers charts.
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Henry Bogget is an ordinary boy of just eight years old, and Henry has a secret. A secret that has been kept for many, many years.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Faraway Adventures of Henry Bogget Henry and The Great White Whale and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-8 years old
The Faraway Adventures of Henry Bogget Henry and The Great White Whale features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Faraway Adventures of Henry Bogget Henry and The Great White Whale was written by Ollie Locke and published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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