Books by Lisa Mantchev
Perchance to Dream: Theatre Illuminata #2
From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars
We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn't know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.
Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY
But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between―
Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.
Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.
When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre's caravan, using Bertie's word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie's father―and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie's dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it's Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess's lair?
Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other―full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too―that readers won't want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.
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Eyes Like Stars
All her world’s a stage
Enter Stage Right
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith (Bertie): Our heroine.
Nate: A dashing pirate who will do anything to protect Bertie.
Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and Peaseblossom: Four tiny, mischievous fairies, and Bertie’s loyal sidekicks.
Ariel: A seductive air spirit. Disaster follows in his wake, but Bertie simply cannot resist him.
Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. The actors are bound to the Théâtre by The Book, an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of the actors, but they are her family. And she is about to lose them all because The Book has been threatened, and along with it the Théâtre. It’s the only home Bertie has ever known, and she has to find a way to save it. But first, there’s the small problem of two handsome men, both vying for her attention. The course of true love never did run smooth. . . .
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Strictly No Elephants
“A sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Sweet and affirming.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With a gentle message of inclusion and helping others, this title reaches beyond a mere friendship story.”—School Library Journal
“Heartening.”—Booklist
In this bestselling and internationally beloved picture book, the local Pet Club won’t admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant, so he finds a solution—one that involves all kinds of unusual animals.
Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.
Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.
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Sister Day!
“Sweet, upbeat, and refreshing.” —Kirkus Reviews
From the author of Strictly No Elephants comes an adorable picture book that tells the timeless tale of a little girl who’s on a mission to convince her big sister to play with her!
For Lizzie, the perfect afternoon is one spent playing with her big sister, Jane. But it’s tough being the little sister. Jane is always busy with activities and play dates. And so she hatches the perfect plan to show Jane just how much she loves her. Each day of the week Lizzie works hard sketching and planning, waiting until Saturday when she can reveal her grand surprise to Jane: it’s Sister Day, a celebration of imagination and sisterhood.
This sweet and whimsical story perfectly captures the special bond between sisters.
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Someday, Narwhal
“Kids will love this tiny little protagonist who dares to dream big.” —Booklist
“The little narwhal from Strictly No Elephants gets her own story…Equally good as a stand-alone or for fans of the first book.” —School Library Journal
In this charming companion to the award-winning picture book Strictly No Elephants, a tiny narwhal discovers that sometimes the difference between staying home and a big adventure is a group of loving friends.
Red front door. Potted plant. Umbrella stand. Piano. Red front door. Potted plant. Umbrella stand. Piano.
That’s what the world looks like from inside Tiny Narwhal’s fishbowl. It’s not very exciting. She dreams of the world beyond: endless blue sky, tall buildings, a bridge. But Tiny Narwhal hasn’t any feet and doesn’t know the street names. And what if it’s cold outside?
What this little narwhal does have, though, are good friends. With the help of her boy and his friends, plus a penguin, bat, and giraffe, Tiny Narwhal finally feels brave enough to go on an adventure.
Someday, Narwhal features the same adorable cast of pets and sweet, lyrical language as Lisa Mantchev’s beloved Strictly No Elephants.
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Remarkables
by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Lisa Mantchev
New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix, the master of cliffhangers, delivers a pulse-pounding mystery perfect for fans of Jacqueline West and Kat Yeh, full of secrets, surprises, and the power of family.
One minute they’re there: laughing and having fun at the house next door. The next minute, the teens are gone. Like magic. Marin can’t believe her eyes. Who are they? Can anyone else see them? What makes them so happy?
Marin is lonely in this new town of hers and eager to figure out more. Then she meets Charley, who reveals that he knows about them, too.
He calls them the “Remarkables.” Charley warns her to stay away from the Remarkables—and him. Charley and Marin both have painful secrets they’re holding on to, but could solving the mystery of the Remarkables help them both?
In addition to building an intriguing world filled with mystery, Haddix also grounds the story with real issues that many children face. Characters deal with the complexities of bullying, the guilt children experience when parents have addiction issues, and the uplifting power found in strong families of all shapes and sizes.
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Remarkables
by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Lisa Mantchev
“Breathtaking.” —School Library Connection
“Enchanting art.” —Publishers Weekly
Journey meets Pearl in this transcendent picture book about a mermaid finding her forever home, created by the author of Strictly No Elephants, Lisa Mantchev, and The Bear and the Piano author-illustrator David Litchfield.
When a boy is out swimming and looking for fish, he meets a mermaid instead. She is all alone. He welcomes her to his home and his circus family. Though she misses the ocean, she feels she has found a new family and home. With lyrical text and luminous artwork, Remarkables is a story of friendship and finding home. What a remarkable place the world is.
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The Perfectly Perfect Wish
“Directly personal and visually dramatic.”—Booklist
“Carries a deeper and more important message about considering others’ circumstances in light of one’s own privileges that many kids may benefit from hearing.” —BCCB
“A satisfying storytime read-aloud about the gift of giving and sharing.” —School Library Journal
From the author of Strictly No Elephants comes a sweet picture book that explores themes of selflessness and empathy when a girl has the chance to make just one wish.
In the grass, a girl finds an extraordinary thing that gives her…just…one…wish.
She asks her those around her what they would wish for in her shoes, but nothing seems quite right. What will her perfect wish be?
In this pitch-perfect picture book, Lisa Mantchev takes the concept of a magic wish and uses it to explore real world empathy, kindness, and good will.
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The Trouble with Giraffes (The Pet Club Series)
A girl and her pet giraffe are friends despite their difference in size in this tender picture book companion to the bestselling and acclaimed Strictly No Elephants.
A girl knows having a pet giraffe poses some difficulties, like finding a way to take walks together with legs very different in length. And her giraffe doesn’t fit into the clubhouse door for Pet Club. But the Pet Club members come together to find a way for him—and everyone—to be included. Because that’s what friends do.
Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Now, readers can celebrate the importance of both inclusivity and accessibility in this new companion that is full of new friends to love.
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The Strictly No Elephants & The Trouble with Giraffes Boxed Set Strictly No Elephants; The Trouble with Giraffes
Children and their unusual pets celebrate belonging and friendship in the bestselling and internationally beloved Strictly No Elephants and its companion The Trouble with Giraffes—now available together in one hardcover boxed set!
On Pet Club day, there will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. It’s up to a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them pets come in all shapes and sizes and what it means to be a true friend in Strictly No Elephants.
In The Trouble with Giraffes, a girl’s pet giraffe is too tall for the clubhouse, but the Pet Club members come together to find a way for him—and everyone—to be included.
This charming hardcover boxed set includes:
Strictly No Elephants
The Trouble with Giraffes
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