Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a funny, laugh-out loud book which will have children gripped form start to finish!

Esha is a genius inventor who is always coming up with amazing new ideas. She desperately wants to win the Brain Trophy, which is awarded to the best invention. This year she is convinced she will win when she manages to build…a TIME MACHINE!

With her assistant, Broccoli, and his mischievous tortoise Archie, Esha finally feels like she is a success. But when her sister presses the big, red button she absolutely shouldn’t press she goes missing – along with the machine.

Taken on an adventure in time on a prehistoric rescue, will Esha not only save her sister but the world itself from the ripple effect? Only time will tell.

I am not surprised that this is the first book selected for the Marcus Rashford Bookclub. This is such an engaging book and I think it will really help inspire reading for pleasure in a new generation of readers. Set up by star footballer and vocal campaigner Marcus Rashford, the bookclub is designed to get books in the hands of children all around the country.

If you’ve not heard about the brilliant initiative from Macmillan, Magic Breakfast & Marcus Rashford, give this a read: https://www.magicbreakfast.com/news/marcus-rashford-book-club

I am thrilled to be hosting a Q & A from the incredible illustrator of this book, Allen Fatimaharan. His illustrations really help to bring this story to life!

1) Which character were you most excited to illustrate? 

I loved illustrating Secondus- he has a cool smart outfit with fun accessories like a monocle and a bowler hat!

2) My favourite character was Archie and I love how you captured his expressions in the pictures. What animal is your favourite to draw? 

Foxes- I love their angular snouts and ears. And their tails are really fun shapes to draw.

3) How do you think illustrations throughout the text, as there are in this book, help the reader?

I think Illustrations help to visualise the world the author has created. The illustrations can also aid the storytelling by including details not mentioned in the text.

4) How long did it take you to create the front cover? 

It took a couple of weeks. The fantastic designers at Macmillan gave me a brief with an idea of what the cover might look like. I sketched out those ideas providing some different options to choose from. Once an idea was selected and developed I then created the final colour illustrations and the designers created the brilliant lettering and patterns. 

5) You’re the illustrator of the first book choice of Marcus Rasford’s book club! How do you feel?

 It’s a fantastic honour! Marcus Rashford’s successful campaign to extend free school meals during the pandemic was a vital help to many families. And the Marcus Rashford Bookclub is building on that work to help tackle child poverty and inequality. 

 6) What is your top tip for any aspiring illustrators? 

Always carry a sketchbook and try to draw in it as much as you can.

Thank you so much Allen for taking the time to answer the questions! I absolutely love the bright, exciting cover you’ve created and I’m sure it will have children reaching for the book from the shelves.

If you like the sound of this book, buy it here.

Emily x

📚 Book gifted by publisher