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Stella & Marigold: Book 1 — Spooky For Kids

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Stella & Marigold: Book 1

Name: Stella & Marigold: Book 1
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781797219707

✍️ Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Unfold the inaugural volume of a luminous new series, presenting Stella, seven, and Marigold, four, two sisters whose vibrant imaginations transform the mundane into the mystical. Stella, the elder, contemplates the silent wisdom of the animal kingdom, while Marigold, the younger, weaves fantastical narratives from thin air, perceiving hidden realities in everyday occurrences. Their adventures, from school halls to zoo enclosures, reveal that even the most ordinary moments conceal an extraordinary, secret dimension, inviting readers into a realm where the veil between worlds is remarkably thin.

Barrows, Annie; , Blackall, Sophie

📚 all books by this author (3) →

Praise for this book

“Beloved creators of the Ivy and Bean series reunite in an astute and joyful new illustrated chapter book series starter that celebrates the everyday moments of deeply bonded young sisters.”

— Shelf Awareness

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2024 📖 108 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781797219707

Fun Fact

Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall offer a delicate, yet profound, exploration of childhood's inner cosmos. This volume excels in its gentle illumination of sibling dynamics and the inherent magic of youthful perception, subtly affirming the esoteric truth that reality is often what we believe it to be. Its celebration of imagination and intuitive knowing makes it a quietly potent offering for those who cherish the wisdom of the young, though seekers of explicit occult instruction may find its revelations too subtle.

📝 Description: Stella & Marigold: Book 1

A USA Today and National Indie Bestseller! From the creatorsof the New York Times- bestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new series about two small sisters with very big imaginations. ★ -- " Readers will long for a sibling like Marigold or Stella." -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review ★ -- "All the heart. None of the pablum. Sisterhood at its finest and freshest." -- Kirkus, Starred ReviewGenerations of readers have fallen in love with Ivy + Bean, which has sold over 8 million copies and been adapted into a popular Netflix Original Film series. Now, bestselling author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall are back with the first book in a bright new series about a pair of sisters named Stella and Marigold. Stella, who's seven, is kind, a good storyteller, and ponders big questions like, what do animals think of people? Marigold, at four, tells imaginative stories (her mother calls them "fibs") and likes to wear her favorite Halloween costume year-round. Stella and Marigold do all the regular things--like going to school, playing, getting sick sometimes, and visiting the zoo--but even the most regular things have a secret side. Sure to delight fans of Ivy and Bean, these adventure tales--animated with full-color illustrations of the sisters' encounters with magical bathrooms, snow monkeys, dream lions, howling wolves, a lost Vice President, and much more--are filled with vibrant characters, creative storytelling, and a whole lot of laughs. BELOVED CHILDREN'S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of numerous award-winning and New York Times-bestselling books for children and adults, including The Magic Half, The Best of Iggy Series, and The Truth According to Us. Sophie Blackall is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse, which she also wrote. CLASSIC / CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS: No one creates universal yet unique characters the way Annie and Sophie do. Their distinctive combination of stories and art centered on family connection, empathy, and understanding appeal to adults, who find them lovely, and kids, who find them relatable (and laugh-out-loud funny!). GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures that bring the text to life, this series is perfect for emerging readers. STRONG SIBLING RELATIONSHIP: The warm, loving relationship between Stella and Marigold is at the heart of this book. Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series. Perfect for: Independent readers age 6-9 Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking entertaining elementary school chapter books Gift-givers looking for an early readers series for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart Readers who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Junie B. Jones, Beezus and Ramona, Dory Fantasmagory, and Princess in Black

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While visually and thematically enchanting, this inaugural volume may not suit readers expecting fast-paced action or explicit magical combat. It demands patience from those who prefer direct plot progression over atmospheric contemplation. The narrative relies heavily on subtle perception rather than overt events, which might feel slow to audiences accustomed to high-stakes fantasy adventures. However, for those willing to embrace its quiet rhythm, it offers a unique perspective on childhood wonder. It is best appreciated by readers comfortable with ambiguity and lyrical prose who seek emotional resonance over adrenaline. The book’s strength lies in its invitation to see the world differently, making it a rewarding experience for patient souls rather than a thrill ride for those seeking immediate gratification.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a gentle, contemplative escape from the noise of modern life will find profound solace in this luminous series. It is ideal for young imaginations ready to explore the mystical undercurrents of daily existence, as well as adult readers who miss the wonder of childhood perception. The narrative invites you to slow down and witness how ordinary moments—like a visit to the zoo or a walk through school halls—can reveal hidden realities. By following Stella and Marigold, audiences learn that imagination is not merely play but a serious tool for unveiling the universe’s secrets. This book offers a warm, inviting gateway into an inner world where the veil between the mundane and the mystical is remarkably thin, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the silent wisdom of nature and the power of creative thought.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

For those who seek to rediscover the unblemished wisdom of the inner child, or wish to comprehend the profound, often mystical, world-making capacities of young minds. This work serves as a gentle reminder that the greatest magic often resides within the most unassuming hearts.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While visually and thematically enchanting, this inaugural volume may not suit readers expecting fast-paced action or explicit magical combat. It demands patience from those who prefer direct plot progression over atmospheric contemplation. The narrative relies heavily on subtle perception rather than overt events, which might feel slow to audiences accustomed to high-stakes fantasy adventures. However, for those willing to embrace its quiet rhythm, it offers a unique perspective on childhood wonder. It is best appreciated by readers comfortable with ambiguity and lyrical prose who seek emotional resonance over adrenaline. The book’s strength lies in its invitation to see the world differently, making it a rewarding experience for patient souls rather than a thrill ride for those seeking immediate gratification.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. Crafted with a gentle narrative flow and engaging character dynamics, it serves as an excellent introduction for young readers embarking on their journey into more sustained storytelling, fostering a love for the written word and the worlds it can conjure.

While ostensibly a children's story, it subtly explores themes of intuition, the power of spoken word (Marigold's 'fibs'), and the perception of subtle realities, offering a reminder that the veil between the mundane and the magical is often thinnest in childhood.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Shared Inner Universes

The profound bond between siblings, especially sisters, often creates a unique, shared psychic space. This narrative beautifully illustrates how two young minds, intertwined through kinship and imagination, construct an intricate, private cosmos, complete with its own mythologies and unspoken understandings, a testament to the power of shared consciousness.

Imagination as Revelation

Far from mere fancy, the imaginative play of Stella and Marigold serves as a potent vehicle for uncovering deeper truths. Their ability to see beyond the visible, to animate the inanimate, and to weave stories into existence demonstrates imagination not as escapism, but as a direct channel to intuitive knowing and the subtle energies that shape our reality.

Perceiving Hidden Worlds

The book subtly illuminates how children possess an innate sensitivity to the unseen aspects of existence. Through Stella's thoughtful inquiries and Marigold's vivid 'fibs,' we observe a world brimming with secret lives and energies, often overlooked by adult perception, reminding us that reality is far richer and more multi-layered than commonly acknowledged.

📜 Historical context

This work stands within the venerable tradition of children's literature that champions the power of imagination as a gateway to understanding. Echoing earlier narratives that celebrated the unique perspectives of youth, it connects to a lineage of tales where the inner life of children unveils universal truths, offering a contemporary reflection on the enduring belief that profound wisdom often speaks through the innocent and the unadulterated heart.

📚 Glossary

Inner Child
Liminal Space
Animism (Childhood)

📔 Questions to reflect on

Recall a vivid memory from your own childhood imagination. What secret worlds did you inhabit, and what truths did they reveal to you?
Consider how shared experiences, particularly with siblings or close companions, contribute to the creation of a unique, almost magical, collective reality.
In what ways do you believe the "secret side" of everyday things manifests in your own life, and how might you cultivate a more open perception of it?