The Invisible Kingdom - (The Invisible Kingdom Trilogy) by Rob Ryan (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Gorgeous words and stunning illustrations combine in a book for anyone aged 8-80, by internationally renowned paper-cut artist. This is a story about a prince. He lived in a palace that seemed to have been specially designed to make someone who already felt small feel even smaller. He rarely saw his parents, who were always busy being the King and Queen; and, unlike other children, the Prince never spent time dreaming about what he would be when he grew up because he knew that when his father died, he would become King. It was his destiny. The only person who treated the Prince like a normal child was the Bootman. Understanding that everyone needs something to call their own, the Bootman gave the Prince a pen with invisible ink and a special flashlight that allowed him to create a world that only he could see. One night, as the Prince was drawing on the curtains that surrounded his bed, he noticed a small hole and beyond that a trapdoor, which led to the attic. And in the attic he found a window and a way to sneak out of the palace and experience the real world. The Invisible Kingdom is an exquisite book about a small boy, a big imagination, and learning to be your own person.

Review Quotes

"Ryan... offers a fanciful modern fairy tale illustrated with a whole sheaf of his intricately detailed cut-paper silhouettes, including a poster on the back of the dust jacket. The hero, a young prince, lives in a palace in the middle of the city, trapped by protocol. ... It's the first of three volumes, and readers will long for the next book."

"Visually stunning... Ryan's hand-drawn, screenprinted, and cut-paper illustrations, filled with intricate patterns, detailed cityscapes, and numerous black silhouettes, are placed on watercolor backgrounds ranging from bright yellow to dark gray hues... VERDICT An intriguing fantasy that pulls readers right into the story with its enchanting plot and eye-catching artwork."