Midnight Magic Blog Tour - Art Extracts

Today is my stop on the 'Midnight Magic' blog tour and I am beyond excited to be sharing a little bit of awe and wonder with you all today! I feel very lucky to be offering you a glimpse at some of the illustration spreads that Elissa Elwick created for Midnight's journey and the earlier sketches which inspired them...

And here she is! Midnight is the third of three kittens that were born in a barn one very frosty night. Snowdrop and Foxy, the first two to be born were just like any other kittens - cute, cuddly and a little bit cheeky. But Midnight, well... Midnight it turns out is a little bit magic. This playful character will catch your heart immediately with her joy-filled eyes and love of adventure!

Mother cat wasn't sure what to do with her. "Good kitten's shouldn't" do what you do, she'd say. While the others are outside playing hide-and-seek, Midnight would shrink or disappear entirely - an unfair advantage of being the only enchanted feline. Midnight was also able to fly on the broomstick that she bewitched the night that she was born (seen following her in the illustration here). A broomstick that was soon to become one of her most loyal friends. A friend dearly desired when she is left behind by her family - the poor little darling. Thank goodness for Twiggy and it's caring persistence! 

As Midnight and Twiggy go off in search of a safe place for them both to sleep, they come across a cheerful child called Trixie. Trixie happens to be besotted with Midnight the moment that she lays eyes upon her and thankfully is able to convince Dad that they should be the ones to look after her - with a little help from her whimsical Nan.

 

In these illustrations here, you're privy to my favourite moment in the book. The moment when Midnight feels happy and comfortable enough to reveal her true self to Trixie... Like the book's gorgeous colour scheme, Midnight manages to turn the entire bathroom purple - from its bubbles to its bath mats! And the best part here is that not only does Midnight feel safe enough in Trixie's company to share her magic with her, but Trixie is completely and utterly in love with this marvellous little creature - and she's also so up for a magical adventure too! (I'll let you discover the mischief that they get up to together yourselves... no spoiler alerts here 😊) 

The whole story is written in rhyme which makes this early chapter book a delightfully speedy read and perfect for those children who are keen to try sharing a 'longer story' that happens to be devour-able in one sitting. And it goes without saying that this tale is entirely enchanting for any young fans of magic, cats (and happy endings!) 

Wishing you all a magical weekend and 'happy reading'!

Maxine x

Midnight Magic was written by Michelle Harrison @MHarrison13, illustrated by Elissa Elwick @ElissaElwick (pictured left) and published by Little Tiger Books - it is available from UK bookstores now! 

Thank you to Little Tiger Books for the copy of Midnight Magic that was sent to us for the purposes of this blog tour. Be sure to check out the other blog tour posts which are being shared by these fabulously bookish people all the way up to Halloween - what a treat!

Elissa Elwick is the illustrator of the FETCH AND STICK series. She writes as well as illustrates and is the author/illustrator of THE PRINCESS AND THE SLEEP STEALER. She conjures up ideas from her colourful desk at the Fleece Station, London. www.elissaelwick.co.uk | @ElissaElwick

Michelle Harrison was born in Essex. She is the author of novels for children and young adults, most recently the best-selling A PINCH OF MAGIC and its sequel, A SPRINKLE OF SORCERY. Her debut, THIRTEEN TREASURES, won the 2009 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She writes full-time and lives with her son and cats. @MHarrison13