Tom’s Magical Machines
From the author of the book ‘Friends on the Hill’ comes yet another emotionally charged yet deeply optimistic book that thoughtfully explores themes such as love and support between children and parents.
Tom and his Dad loved making things together, and more specifically, things that move! Soon their inventions became bigger, faster and crazier. Now their house was full of creations that went up and down, spun round and round, and flew.
And then, a change came, as fast as lightning. Dad lost his job. Sadness spread through the house like a winter cloud. Until Tom came up with a brilliant idea inspired by their unique vehicle inventions, creating something amazing, something the world had never seen before...
- Pages: 32
- ISBN: 978-960-572-213-5
- Publication: 2018
- Date of publication: 17/09/2018
- Dimensions: 26 Χ 26 εκ.
- Category: Childrens' Books
"...A story that speaks to me about believing in ourselves, our potential, strong family bonds and perseverance in pursuing our dreams!"
– Mamasnpapas.gr"...Tender, moving and optimistic, Linda Sarah’s book serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictabilities and highlights the importance of standing tall in the face of them. At the same time, on every page, we parents – and our children – feel the emotional and moral duty as parents to be role models in this life lesson through our own example. We are the Mum and Dad of this world."
– Pepi Nikolopoulou, Deltamoms.gr"...At a time when the economic crisis has now taken on global dimensions, affecting all countries of the developed world in equal measure, ‘Tom’s Magic Machines’ seems to be a book that speaks to children’s need to support the parents they love, with an idea, a thought, a suggestion."
– Maria Soubert, Theathinai.com"...a book with wonderfully vivid and detailed illustrations, brimming with hope and optimism. For young and old alike."
– Kidscloud.gr"...An incredible story, beautiful, tender! How wonderful it is that children can remain optimistic even when adults fail, and allow their imagination – which, thankfully, never runs dry – to guide them! And how sweet, carefree and creative the relationship between father and son can be, a relationship so strong and formative for boys. The solution to the problem is provided by little Tom, and it is truly impressive and a lifeline for both of them. And even when things didn’t go quite as they had dreamed, they adapted and found their way again…”
– Dora Andreadaki, Parents24.gr"...The book reminds us that life is unpredictable. Nothing is a given or certain. Everything can change in a single moment. It is therefore worth doing everything we have ever dreamed of. From the simplest, everyday things, such as a warm hug, to the most fantastical, such as a journey through the night sky in a unique mode of transport. [...] A unique gift for all dads in every corner of the earth. A story that young and old alike will love!"
– Vasilis Koutsaris, Thessaly
"...A book for young and old alike, a book about everything we dream of, about everything we dare to do, a book for those who want to believe that life’s ups and downs can be turned around, as long as you believe in it and dream it. Ben Mantle’s dreamlike illustrations meet Linda Sarah’s dreamlike text, and the result is a masterpiece that no library should be without."
– Magda Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...It really is a sweet book whose pages overflow with love! And from that love springs the idea, and then the dream."
– Eleni Vlachou, Karydotsouflo"...The text, translated by Antonis Papatheodoulou, speaks directly to our hearts. It has a simple style that nevertheless borders on poetry. A book so contemporary and – I can say this already – timeless that it should not be missing from any school or home library. A wonderful book for boys and girls whose imagination knows no bounds!"
– Clelia.gr"...The message conveyed through her story – beautifully translated by Antonis Papatheodoulou and illustrated by Ben Mantle – is that no matter how many times you ‘fall’, you can ‘get back up’ just as many times."
– Noisette with hazelnut"...A story of family, creativity and courage. A deeply moving story about a young child who never stops dreaming. About the moments that bring happiness, and how just one is enough to change the course of things. Full of emotions and ideas, full of a thirst for life and optimism, the right to dream, and love that overflows from every page of this amazing book."
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"...A book that speaks to us in a very tender way about how unpredictable life can be, but also about the power of hope. About how we must find the strength to get back up and try again, even as we get angry at the misfortunes that can derail our plans. All we need is to believe, and anything is possible. Ben Mantle’s illustrations are also very beautiful, with great detail and lovely colours."
– Angeliki Boziki, Eimaimama.gr"...One idea from little Tom is enough to make his sad father smile ‘as he hadn’t smiled for eleven sunsets’. A modern fairy tale, based on the imaginative ideas we all owe to ourselves and the ebb and flow of emotions that are never ‘censored’. Linda Sara ‘weaves’ the details, whilst Ben Madl provides a marvellous illustration."
– Dimitris Doulgeridis, Ta NeaLinda Sarah
Linda Sarah grew up dreaming of one day becoming a firefighter. That was before she moved to Paris, where she worked as a musician whilst raising her son. She then returned to England, graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art and began creating children’s books – the most wonderful job she could ever do; after all, she would never have made a good firefighter!
Ben Mantle
Ben Mantle was born in Leamington, England, in 1980. He developed an interest in artistic pursuits from an early age, designing covers for his school programmes and participating with great success in competitions at his local library. He studied animation at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, from which he graduated in 2003. He then gained valuable experience working on Tim Burton’s film *The Corpse Bride*, before moving to Brighton as head of the animation department at a major company.
He was also part of the team that created the CBeebies website, which won the BAFTA ‘Big and Small’ award. Since 2008, he has been working as a children’s book illustrator. The book *Callum’s Incredible Construction Kit*, illustrated by him and written by Jonathan Emmett, was awarded the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Prize in 2013.
