The Imaginary is a 2014 British children's novel written by A. F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett. It is about a small girl, Amanda, and her imaginary friend, Rudger. An anime film adaptation by Studio Ponoc has been announced. Initially set for a Q3 2022 release,[1][2] it was later delayed to 15 December 2023 due to production issues.[3][4]
 First edition (UK) | |
| Author | A. F. Harrold |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Emily Gravett |
| Cover artist | Emily Gravett |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Published | October 2014 (Bloomsbury) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 220 |
| ISBN | 9781408852460 |
| OCLC | 887936791 |
Reception edit
A review in the Booklist of The Imaginary wrote "Though not quite as innovative as it might be, this is nevertheless a winningly whimsical celebration of the imagination, beautifully enhanced by both black-and-white and full-color illustrations by Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Gravett."[5] and, in a starred review, Kirkus Reviews found it "Wonderfully entertaining."[6]
The Imaginary has also been reviewed by The New York Times,[7] the School Library Journal,[8] The Horn Book Magazine,[9] Publishers Weekly,[10] Library Media Connection,[11] Common Sense Media,[12] Reading Time,[13] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,[14] the Financial Times,[15] and The Guardian (child review).[16]
It was nominated for the 2016 Carnegie Medal,[17] the 2016 Kate Greenaway Medal,[18] and won the 2015 British Book Design and Production Awards Children's Trade Book Award,[19] and the 2015 British Book Design and Production Awards Book of the Year Award.[19]
References edit
- ^ "Studio Ponoc Unveils The Imaginary Anime Film Based on A.F. Harrold's Novel". Anime News Network. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Delayed From Summer Release". Anime News Network. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Winter 2023". Anime News Network. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Japan on December 15". Anime News Network. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "The Imaginary". Booklist. American Library Association. 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ "The Imaginary". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ Renee Dale (29 May 2015). "Children's Books: 'Moone Boy: The Blunder Years' and 'The Imaginary'". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
For all its flirtations with danger, "The Imaginary" is most affecting and lovely when describing powerful relationships..
- ^ "The Imaginary". School Library Journal. Media Source Inc. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
The premise of the Imaginaries is unveiled nicely .. Gravett's illustrations provide excellent support for the story..
- ^ "The Imaginary". Horn Book Guides. Media Source Inc. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
Harrold turns a gimmicky premise into a nuanced exploration of the relationship between imagination and memory..
- ^ "The Imaginary". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
Part horror story, part gentle parable, Harrold's story moves along at a steady clip, thanks to some very tense sequences and Gravett's typically polished illustrations, which feature spikes of lurid color and haunting imagery.
- ^ "The Imaginary". Library Media Connection. Linworth Publications. 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
Harold [sic] and Gravett, British author and illustrator, tell a charming story through descriptive language and vivid artwork.
- ^ Kate Pavao. "The Imaginary". www.commonsensemedia.org. Common Sense Media Inc. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure that will captivate kids -- and remind parents of the importance of free time for imaginative play.
- ^ Liz Derouet (2 February 2016). "The Imaginary". Reading Time. Children's Book Council of Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
This book is a perfect package, with Gravett's illustrations and Harrold's rich language. Highly recommended.
- ^ April Spisak (July 2015). "Harrold, A. F. The Imaginary". The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 68 (11). Johns Hopkins University Press: 547. doi:10.1353/bcc.2015.0546. S2CID 141904317. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ James Lovegrove (8 November 2014). "Books: 'The Imaginary', by AF Harrold". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
By turns scary and funny, touching without being sentimental, and beautifully illustrated by Emily Gravett, The Imaginary is a delight from start to finish.
- ^ "Children's Books: The Imaginary by A. F. Harrold and Emily Gravett – review". The Guardian. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
When reading Imaginary, I found it was scary at parts but the story shows a real friendship between a girl and her imagination.
- ^ "Carnegie medal 2016 longlist - in pictures". The Guardian. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ Michelle Pauli (16 February 2016). "Kate Greenaway Medal 2016 longlist - in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ a b "2015 Winners, The 2015 British Book Design and Production Awards Shortlist". britishbookawards2015.co.uk. British Book Design & Production Awards. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
