Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins

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Pub Date 6 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 7 Aug 2020
Pushkin Press | Pushkin Children's Books

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Description

An original and hilarious story of wayward goblins, inept heroes and children who save the day, and magical books

The tranquil charms of Uppington Down are torn apart one day when Anna and Nils meet the alarmingly rude Robert Gribble on their way home from school. Before long, their lives take a bizarre turn: they join forces with this goblin in disguise and his nearly not-there dog Dimple in a desperate battle to stop Mara, the queen of nightmares, opening a hidden book of power and spilling terror across the world.

Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins is a laugh-out-loud adventure which reminds us that with friends, family and belief you can stand up to the scariest of enemies. And if you have a ginger biscuit and an invisible dog, that helps too.
An original and hilarious story of wayward goblins, inept heroes and children who save the day, and magical books

The tranquil charms of Uppington Down are torn apart one day when Anna and Nils meet...

Advance Praise

   • "The ingredients are goblins, ginger biscuits, a slightly odd dog, books and magic! The result, an excellent children's read!"--Independent Book Reviews (blog)

   • "Ashby has written a genuinely hilarious, funny and inventive tale... perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Steven Butler!"--Bluebird Reviews (blog)

   • "A book filled with mystery, fantasy, goblins and nightmares, Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins draws the reader in from the very first page, mixing realism with weirdly wonderful characters and intrigue"--BooksForTopics (blog)

   • "The ingredients are goblins, ginger biscuits, a slightly odd dog, books and magic! The result, an excellent children's read!"--Independent Book Reviews (blog)

• "Ashby has written a...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781782692348
PRICE US$12.95 (USD)
PAGES 224

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

Pretty nice story for kids and tweens.
I found this book pretty short and fast paced.
The plotline is engaging as is the representation of the characters.
The book showcases important vaues and bonding between the characters. One-time read.👍
I really appreciate the book.After all,who doesn't love a good Middle grade story?

Thanks to Pushkin Press for sending me an e-ARC of this book!
😁

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This was a really fun middle grade read. It’s short chapters will have kids begging for one more before bed. It had me laughing throughout and remind me a bit of Stardust. It’s exciting and funny adventure that keeps you reading. There’s a great message about why a bully bullies.

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Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins was a quick read, perfect for a tween reader who likes magical elements.

Gribblebob is an aloof goblin expat living in modern England. A chance encounter with two children, a lost book, and a disappearing book lead the characters on an adventure!

The story is fast-paced and told from multiple points of view. Many of the chapters are only a few pages, and I think the fast-paced storytelling will appeal to younger readers.

This book is funny with heart, and I could easily see this turning into a series. I can't wait to gift this to my nephews for Christmas.

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Super quick and fun read! Perfect for a middle grade audience. Kids will love the fun cast of characters.

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The book has lots of the ingredients needed to make a wonderful, exciting and absorbing read for children -goblins, magic, different worlds and just enough danger to thrill without frightening. It takes a while to get going but once it finds its pace it is full of ideas and the plot continues well throughout the story. It combines humour and adventure whilst binging a sense of the importance of friendship, family, bravery and loyalty, The main characters are well written and the chapters are pitched at the right length in order to carry the story along and to encourage independent reading.

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THis book was hilarious and creepy all mixed in at once. I love the style of writing and I think it's a great book. I really love how creative it is and the whole idea of The Veil and magical books! This book is perfect for readers 9-11.

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There's just something about reading a book that transports you to another world...particularly when it's an imaginary world. I enjoyed the concept of being able to break through the veil and getting to know the cast of characters. I struggled a bit at the beginning keeping the different characters and storylines straight, but once I get further into the book the pieces clicked into place for me.

I could definitely see this turning into a series, which my students would love! This book is great for readers age 9-11!

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Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins follows two siblings, Anna and Nils, as they meet a man named Gribblebob (aka Robert Gribble) and other citizens on the opposite side of the "veil."

Yes, the story/setting has been done many a time before, but I loved how David Ashby's writing was so humorous, and exciting to read. This book read really well, and is perfect for kids ages 7 and up. I love how each of the characters had their own personalities, and how the writing created uniqueness for all of them.

I also liked how the story was more prominent than the characters, in most YA/middle grade fantasy novels, the characters can play a bigger feature in the book than the actual story. Although, even with all the different characters introduced and the different personality styles they all had, the reader still keeps most of their focus on the mystery of where the different magic books were.

Even though this book had multiple clichés, it was still very unique in its own way! I absolutely loved this middle grade novel, and I hope you will enjoy it, too. I would love to see a sequel of this book as well!

"She'll turn you up and round five times before breakfast and still not boil your egg."
- Robert Griblle

Also on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3477345442

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A sister and brother realize there is a world beyond the veil when a series of events leads to Nils accidentally having a book insert itself into his body. The book belongs to Robert Gribble, a disguised goblin who is also known as Gribblebob. The goblin is at first irate but then realizes that Anna and Nils might be able to help in the fight against the queen of nightmares.
A little twee but I think readers will enjoy. The world building was quite lovely with snatches of fairly tales which create a base but then adding some other magical touches here and there. This book definitely seems like the start of a series as there is more magic hinted at that we don't necessarily see on page (e.g. the boy whose writings come to life) but it's not overwhelming. The story does build slowly and end fairly quickly but overall a nice start to a series.

Four stars
This book comes out October 6th
ARC kindly provided by Pushkin Press and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

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Wonderful, fast-paced middle grade book that hits all the right marks for a magical adventure. Anna and Nils are fantastic characters and Gribblebob is a very well-developed goblin masquerading as a human. Filled with friendship, family, magic, loyalty, and adventure, this book is sure to be a hit with younger readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

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Magical story! Seems to be geared to the British market, may need either a glossary for other English speaking children, or edited to other dialects of English (American, Australian, Canadian...). Other that that, it's a fine story and highly entertaining for kids 4th grade up! I'm even sure, teens might enjoin the tale! It's well written, has some illustrations, shortish chapters, Kids will be clamoring for more when it ends all too soon! I love tales like this- original, lots of magic and magical creatures, good problems to solve.... So much fun!

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A highly entertaining story that made me laugh and kept me hooked till the end.
It's a fast read, well written and well thought.
I think it can be loved by kids and adult.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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A fun middle grade read. Short chapters, fast-paced writing, and lovable characters make this a great read

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