Scan barcode
micahbean's review against another edition
4.0
Not the book i wanted to read, but a decent book nonetheless
brandypainter's review
3.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold is a delightful yet creepy tale for any reader with a big imagination and bigger heart.
Rudger is an imaginary friend, dreamed into existence and kept going by the imagination of Amanda, a little girl who can dream up anything and loves adventure. Amanda and Rudger are going about their happy lives playing together, exploring the world, and saving it from all sorts of nasty creatures when their struggle becomes all too real. Mr. Bunting shows up at the house. Mr. Bunting is an adult with an imaginary. But there's something creepy and not at all comfortable about this pair and they are stalking Amanda and Rudger. When a tragic accident brought on by Mr. Bunting attacking Rudger greatly injures Amanda, Rudger begins to fade. How can an imaginary live without someone to imagine him? Fortunately Rudger discovers a place where Imaginaries can live on, finding new children. He isn't interested in a new child though. He only wants Amanda so he embarks on a quest to reunite with her and defeat Bunting and his sadistic imaginary once and for all.
Rudger is the main character of this story, and the world of imaginaries he inhabits his brought to beautiful life both through the words of the author and the gorgeous illustrations by Emily Gavett. (This is a visually stunning book even in black and white. I look forward to seeing the full color illustrations when it is released.) Rudger is unsure of the world and has trouble thinking for himself without Amanda, but as the story progresses he finds his own two feet and his own voice more and more. Amanda, while physically absent for most of the book, is still a very real presence whose imagination and creativity hover over Rudger and the entire story. This is the ultimate child/imaginary pairing. The story is told in such a way that it will enthrall children who have had imaginary friends and those who have not. The other imaginaries in the story range from an old dog to a pink T-Rex.
Everything about this world is not fun and games though. There are some seriously creepy elements. Bunting is a very nasty sort of villain, and some of the things that happen could truly frighten some children. This is one of those books I recommend knowing your audience for before recommending. The cover may imply that it is for the younger end of the MG spectrum, but sensitive young children may not handle some of the elements well. For kids who like creepy and don't mind uncertainty and possible death in stories, this is a great pick.
I read an ARC from the publisher, Bloomsbury Kids, via the mail. The Imaginary is on sale March 3rd.
The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold is a delightful yet creepy tale for any reader with a big imagination and bigger heart.
Rudger is an imaginary friend, dreamed into existence and kept going by the imagination of Amanda, a little girl who can dream up anything and loves adventure. Amanda and Rudger are going about their happy lives playing together, exploring the world, and saving it from all sorts of nasty creatures when their struggle becomes all too real. Mr. Bunting shows up at the house. Mr. Bunting is an adult with an imaginary. But there's something creepy and not at all comfortable about this pair and they are stalking Amanda and Rudger. When a tragic accident brought on by Mr. Bunting attacking Rudger greatly injures Amanda, Rudger begins to fade. How can an imaginary live without someone to imagine him? Fortunately Rudger discovers a place where Imaginaries can live on, finding new children. He isn't interested in a new child though. He only wants Amanda so he embarks on a quest to reunite with her and defeat Bunting and his sadistic imaginary once and for all.
Rudger is the main character of this story, and the world of imaginaries he inhabits his brought to beautiful life both through the words of the author and the gorgeous illustrations by Emily Gavett. (This is a visually stunning book even in black and white. I look forward to seeing the full color illustrations when it is released.) Rudger is unsure of the world and has trouble thinking for himself without Amanda, but as the story progresses he finds his own two feet and his own voice more and more. Amanda, while physically absent for most of the book, is still a very real presence whose imagination and creativity hover over Rudger and the entire story. This is the ultimate child/imaginary pairing. The story is told in such a way that it will enthrall children who have had imaginary friends and those who have not. The other imaginaries in the story range from an old dog to a pink T-Rex.
Everything about this world is not fun and games though. There are some seriously creepy elements. Bunting is a very nasty sort of villain, and some of the things that happen could truly frighten some children. This is one of those books I recommend knowing your audience for before recommending. The cover may imply that it is for the younger end of the MG spectrum, but sensitive young children may not handle some of the elements well. For kids who like creepy and don't mind uncertainty and possible death in stories, this is a great pick.
I read an ARC from the publisher, Bloomsbury Kids, via the mail. The Imaginary is on sale March 3rd.
annalisenak97's review
4.0
A bittersweet book about remembering and forgetting, about growing up and leaving things behind. The illustrations are fantastic, layered and colorful and just the right amount of smudged.
crowandnightingale's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful little book about imaginary friends! It's scary, sad, and heart-warming. Caused a few tears in this old grown-up. I can't wait to share it with library patrons!
amishriot's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, the story had a lot of potential, but the whole thing just kind of fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and the story had no depth, you never felt like Rudger or Amanda were truly in any danger. No characters in this book were described well enough to relate too or even love/hate them.
Physically it's a really lovely book, the illustrations by Gravett are wonderful, it's such a shame that the story and characters were so simple. Who knows, maybe 8yr old me would have loved this book.
Physically it's a really lovely book, the illustrations by Gravett are wonderful, it's such a shame that the story and characters were so simple. Who knows, maybe 8yr old me would have loved this book.
roseannmvp's review against another edition
4.0
So I thought this book would be great just by the cover & title, and I think I was correct.
Not only did this have JUST the right amount of scary for kids ages 9-12, and the illustrations were somewhat nightmare-inducing, but the ending resolves itself well, ends positively, with a happily-ever-after, and it really speaks to the imagination. For any kid who had an imaginary friend, this is your book. For any kid who doubts that parents were once kids, too, this is your book. For anyone who believe good outweighs evil, this is your book. For any kid who loves talking animals, this is your book. IT is a tidy package of imagination and fun with just enough scary to keep you reading til it's done.
Not only did this have JUST the right amount of scary for kids ages 9-12, and the illustrations were somewhat nightmare-inducing, but the ending resolves itself well, ends positively, with a happily-ever-after, and it really speaks to the imagination. For any kid who had an imaginary friend, this is your book. For any kid who doubts that parents were once kids, too, this is your book. For anyone who believe good outweighs evil, this is your book. For any kid who loves talking animals, this is your book. IT is a tidy package of imagination and fun with just enough scary to keep you reading til it's done.
jasmiinaf's review against another edition
5.0
I bought The Imaginary because I’m going to the bookcrossing convention in Oxford and A. F. Harrold is going to be there so I wanted to read a book from him. I chose this one because it’s quite new and people have been saying nice things about it.
The Imaginary is a children’s book but I wouldn’t recommend it for the very small children because it’s a bit scary story. But it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year so far and the art is just perfect.
The Imaginary is a children’s book but I wouldn’t recommend it for the very small children because it’s a bit scary story. But it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year so far and the art is just perfect.
kathryngreen28's review against another edition
5.0
A really, really lovely story! Beautifully written so accessible to both children and adults - can’t wait to read this to my class in September!
em_may01's review against another edition
4.0
Initially I was sceptical about this book, it would not have been a book that I would have chosen myself but once I started reading it I was intrigued and couldn't put it down.
Although I did enjoy the story I did find the illustrations a little creepy as well as the parts where Mr Bunting was trying to swallow the Imaginaries so may not be my first choice for a class read or for use in English. However, I loved the friendship between Amanda and Rudger and think some children would find comfort in their relationship especially if they have also had/have an imaginary friend. If I did use this book with a class, it would definitely be upper KS2 due to the themes in the book.
Although I did enjoy the story I did find the illustrations a little creepy as well as the parts where Mr Bunting was trying to swallow the Imaginaries so may not be my first choice for a class read or for use in English. However, I loved the friendship between Amanda and Rudger and think some children would find comfort in their relationship especially if they have also had/have an imaginary friend. If I did use this book with a class, it would definitely be upper KS2 due to the themes in the book.
asimilarkite's review against another edition
4.0
This is EXACTLY the kind of book I would have loved when I was in 4th grade. I probably would have giddily showed it around to all my friends to freak them out with the creepy pictures, and wanted to dress up as Mr. Bunting's creepy imaginary friend for Halloween (maybe a friend of mine would wear a Hawaiian shirt and be Mr. Bunting with me?).
It has such a good concept. And I am SO happy Emily Gravett is expanding beyond creating her own amazing picture books to do art for older kids, 'cause she is just great.
It's funny, 'cause the hook of this book is that it is creepy. The book design is amazing at supporting the hook (good job, publisher). But I worry a LITTLE that kids who are looking for something truly scary will be slightly turned off by the little bit of sweetness that's poking out of the corners of everything :) It really is, at its core, kind of a sweet book.
It has such a good concept. And I am SO happy Emily Gravett is expanding beyond creating her own amazing picture books to do art for older kids, 'cause she is just great.
It's funny, 'cause the hook of this book is that it is creepy. The book design is amazing at supporting the hook (good job, publisher). But I worry a LITTLE that kids who are looking for something truly scary will be slightly turned off by the little bit of sweetness that's poking out of the corners of everything :) It really is, at its core, kind of a sweet book.