The Outlaw Varjak Paw

The second adventure in the life of the extraordinary Mesopotamian Blue, Varjak Paw: kung fu for cats!

Original and amazingly engrossing . . . it is much enhanced by its high-quality production and the beautiful illustrations by Dave McKean

To today's overprotected children, Varjak Paw is the perfect emblem of the joys and dangers of freedom. Beautifully illustrated by Dave McKeen and written in spine-tingling prose, the novels have a suspenseful edginess that children instantly respond to

A wonderfully original creation: a fearless feline with a gift for whizzy martial arts . . . grippingly vivid . . . Dave McKean's scratchy, lean drawings perfectly capture Said's dark narrative

It's refreshing to enter a world of cats. And not just any old cats, but the rich collection of heroes and villains in the world of Varjak Paw . . . The Outlaw Varjak Paw is another swift, compelling tale. And Varjak is an appealing and believable hero

The bleakness of the story is magnified by Dave McKean's brilliant illustrations. The combination of his blood-spattered paintings and Said's staccato descriptions lends the fight scenes an almost balletic quality . . . The world inhabited by these emaciated cats becomes engrossing, while the emotional ambiguities offer plenty for adults to think about

Great new characters and some cracking fight scenes. Unputdownable

Said writes with an elegance and clarity that will appeal to readers keen to get their teeth into more substantial fare

This is a book with true crossover appeal. Buy it for the kids, then enjoy it yourself - even the stylish cover won't give you away . . . with simple but stunning illustrations from Neil Gaiman collaborator Dave McKean, Said tells his story in spare, elegant prose that maintains its tension without playing on all too obvious sentimental tricks. Dark and wonderful

The first Varjak Paw book was brilliant and the follow up is just as good . . . once again features the fantastic drawings of Dave McKean . . . a real Christmas treat for readers aged eight to 12

Said's latest creation is not one to be forgotten easily. This rich and colourful portrayal of a cat's struggle for power effortlessly combines shimmering imagery and visual delicacies, alongside a compelling tale of loyalty, darkness and the truth behind what is right and what is wrong . . . The powerful combination of mystical artwork and stylish narration will have every parent fighting over whose turn it is to read to the kids next

Utterly gripping, with graphic fight scenes, sensitive characterisation, fabulous dream-like sequences and a thrilling plot . . . McKean's scratchy, angular style is the perfect complement to Said's descriptions

S F Said has continued his story with consummate skill . . . This is an excellent novel on the themes of bullying, friendship and loyalty, which are thoughtfully depicted to skilfully produce an excellent read

Dave McKean's edgy illustrations provide the perfect foil for this elegant and imaginative read

Dramatically emphasised though the illustrations by David McKean; illustrations that are not mere decoration but are integral part of each page, adding an exciting visual dimension to the text

A little more dark and threatening in tone than the first book. Dave McKean's stark illustrations add to the atmosphere . . . a fine example of the many excellent new books aimed at teenage readers, it deserves to be read

Everything that made the original so entertaining is still here. From thrilling action sequences to deeper reflection on self-discovery and freedom, and the evils of bullying and cruelty, there is never a dull moment . . . Said's introduction of cats to the martial arts genre is a unique and interesting premise . . . a great read

The seemingly simple storyline is amazingly engrossing, with graphic fight scenes, sensitive characterisation and evocative, dreamlike sequences. The book is beautifully presented and the scratchy illustrations blend well with the words and move the story along

Great for both girls and boys . . . I loved the plot and the illustrations were interesting and spooky

SF Said (Author) SF Said's first book, Varjak Paw, won the Nestlé Smarties Prize for Children's Literature. The sequel,The Outlaw Varjak Paw, won the BBC Blue Peter Book Of The Year. Phoenix is his third book. He has written widely about literature, films and the arts for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph; and works regularly with CLPE, promoting reading and literacy in schools. 
 For more information on SF and his books, please visit www.sfsaid.com Dave McKean (Illustrator) Dave McKean has illustrated and designed many ground-breaking books and graphic novels including Varjak Paw (SF Said), The Magic of Reality (Richard Dawkins), The Savage (David Almond) and The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman). He wrote and illustrated Pictures That Tick and the multi-award winning Cages. He has created hundreds of CD and comic covers and directed five short and three feature films.

The second adventure in the life of the extraordinary Mesopotamian Blue, Varjak Paw: kung fu for cats! 
 
Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang - a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave yet sometimes naive cat? 
 
Soon the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal's Way really be the best way? 
 
This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old. 
 
Winner of the Blue Peter Award in 2007

Varjak Paw

The best-selling story of Varjak Paw, a much-loved story with stunning illustrations from Dave McKean

This cat must learn to fight!Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue kitten, who lives high up in an old house on a hill.He's never left home, until he receives a mysterious visit from his grandfather who tells him about The Way - a secret martial art for cats.Now Varjak must use the Way to survive in a city full of dangerous dogs, cat gangs and, strangest of all, the mysterious Vanishings.With stunning illustrations from acclaimed graphic artist Dave McKean, this award-winning story has become a modern classic. A celebration of friendship, loyalty and difference, Varjak Paw is an adventure like no other.Praise for Varjak Paw:'Stylish, original and inventive, Varjak Paw is a modern children's classic' - Jacqueline Wilson'A beguiling tale that sticks in the memory. The cat's whiskers' - The Sunday TimesFollow Varjak's further adventures in The Outlaw Varjak Paw.

A beguiling tale that sticks in the memory. The cat's whiskers

The book is compulsive reading; we are with Varjak every step of his way, willing him to succeed.  Independent readers of 9 upwards will treasure it, not least for its illustrations, and some will camp out on the publisher's doorstep for the sequel

An engrossing and exciting story, handsomely produced with superbly atmospheric illustrations by an acclaimed mixed media artist.

SF Said (Author) 
SF Said's first book, Varjak Paw, won the Nestlé Smarties Prize for Children's Literature. The sequel,The Outlaw Varjak Paw, won the BBC Blue Peter Book Of The Year. Phoenix is his third book. He has written widely about literature, films and the arts for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph; and works regularly with CLPE, promoting reading and literacy in schools. 
For more information on SF and his books, please visit www.sfsaid.com 
 
Dave McKean (Illustrator) 
Dave McKean has illustrated and designed many ground-breaking books and graphic novels including Varjak Paw (SF Said), The Magic of Reality (Richard Dawkins), The Savage (David Almond) and The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman). He wrote and illustrated Pictures That Tick and the multi-award winning Cages. He has created hundreds of CD and comic covers and directed five short and three feature films.

This cat must learn to fight! 
Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue kitten, who lives high up in an old house on a hill. 
He's never left home, until he receives a mysterious visit from his grandfather who tells him about The Way - a secret martial art for cats. 
Now Varjak must use the Way to survive in a city full of dangerous dogs, cat gangs and, strangest of all, the mysterious Vanishings. 
With stunning illustrations from acclaimed graphic artist Dave McKean, this award-winning story has become a modern classic. A celebration of friendship, loyalty and difference, Varjak Paw is an adventure like no other. 
Praise for Varjak Paw: 
'Stylish, original and inventive, Varjak Paw is a modern children's classic' - Jacqueline Wilson 
'A beguiling tale that sticks in the memory. The cat's whiskers' - The Sunday Times 
Follow Varjak's further adventures in The Outlaw Varjak Paw.

How we know what's really true

The Magic of Reality

A stunning collaboration between a world-famous scientist and outstanding illustrator

It's the clearest and most beautifully written introduction to science I've ever read. Again and again I found myself saying "Oh! So that's how genes work!" (or stars, or tectonic plates, or all the other things he explains). Explanations I thought I knew were clarified; things I never understood were made clear for the first time

I wanted to write this book but I wasn't clever enough. Now I've read it, I am

The Magic of Reality provides a beautiful, accessible and wide ranging volume that addresses the questions that all of us have about the universe...written with the masterful and eloquently literate style of perhaps the best popular expositor of science, Richard Dawkins, and delightfully illustrated by Dave McKean. What more could anyone ask for?

Lawrence Krauss, author of Quantum Man, and A Universe from Nothing

From the first sentence it reads with the force and fluency of a classic ... a luminous, authoritative prose that transcends age differences

A charming and free-ranging history of science

Stunning in appearance ... the book is a triumph

Prodigiously illustrated and beautifully designed... I cannot think of a better, or simpler, introduction to science

This book may be exactly what's needed to increase science literacy for readers of all ages

The text is persuasive whatever one's age ... the chapter on rainbows has the clearest explanation of how they appear that I've ever seen

This book is primarily aimed at teenagers, but plenty of adults will get a kick out of it too...McKean's drawings bring the text to life brilliantly ... Dawkins writes convincingly about everything from chemistry to statistics

Dawkins uses a simple, brilliant technique highly appealing to young and old

What are things made of? 
What is the sun? 
Why is there night and day, winter and summer? 
Why do bad things happen? 
Are we alone? 
 
Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu's egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant? These fantastical myths are fun - but what is the real answer to such questions? 
 
The Magic of Reality, with its explanations of space, time, evolution and more, will inspire and amaze readers of all ages - young adults, adults, children, octogenarians. Teaming up with the renowned illustrator Dave McKean, Richard Dawkins answers all these questions and many more. In stunning words and pictures this book presents the real story of the world around us, taking us on an enthralling journey through scientific reality, and showing that it has an awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic which far exceed those of the ancient myths. 
 
We encounter rainbows, our genetic ancestors, tsunamis, shooting stars, plants, animals, and an intriguing cast of characters in this extraordinary scientific voyage of discovery. Richard Dawkins and Dave McKean have created a dazzling celebration of our planet that will entertain and inform for years to come.

Richard Dawkins is the former Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University (1995-2008). His many bestsellers include The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion. 
 
Dave McKean has illustrated many award winning books and graphic novels, including Coraline by Neil Gaiman, and the Newberry and Carnegie Medal winning The Graveyard Book. He has created hundreds of album, comic and book covers, and has designed characters for two of the Harry Potter films. He has also directed two feature films, MirrorMask and Luna.

What are things made of? 
What is the sun? 
Why is there night and day, winter and summer? 
Why do bad things happen? 
Are we alone? 
 
Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu's egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant? These fantastical myths are fun - but what is the real answer to such questions? 
 
The Magic of Reality, with its explanations of space, time, evolution and more, will inspire and amaze readers of all ages - young adults, adults, children, octogenarians. Teaming up with the renowned illustrator Dave McKean, Richard Dawkins answers all these questions and many more. In stunning words and pictures this book presents the real story of the world around us, taking us on an enthralling journey through scientific reality, and showing that it has an awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic which far exceed those of the ancient myths. 
 
We encounter rainbows, our genetic ancestors, tsunamis, shooting stars, plants, animals, and an intriguing cast of characters in this extraordinary scientific voyage of discovery. Richard Dawkins and Dave McKean have created a dazzling celebration of our planet that will entertain and inform for years to come.

SF Said

Dave McKean

Brilliant . . . a total pageturner. . . gloriously produced

Completely absorbing . . . The book is beautiful - lavishly illustrated by Dave McKean, with words and pictures working seamlessly together.

This is fabulous, high-octane stuff, with an uplifting ending, stunningly illustrated by the brilliant McKean

Breathlessly paced . . . A powerful story of great scope and ambition, from an expert storyteller. And with these gorgeously deep black-and-white illustrations, the great McKean is on absolutely top form here.

A big (and big-hearted) story  . . . Said’s child-centred, inclusive text and McKean’s gorgeous images combine to produce a story that will encourage young imaginations to take flight. The final sequence, in particular, is both stunning and uplifting.

Fierily poetic on a galactic scale, Lucky's search for his father, against a background of interplanetary peril, is totally transporting - as are the illustrations.

An exciting and involved space adventure which engages with big themes . . . Atmospheric illustrations are a bonus.

Like the brightest light from the furthest star, this book is a creation to behold . . . It is a breathtaking epic space adventure that will have you gripped

Incredible . . . If sci-fi is your thing then Phoenix is a must-read, if sci-fi isn’t your thing then Phoenix is a should-read, trust me!

A rip-roaring plot . . . awe-inspiring artwork.

An extraordinary tale of science-fiction, adventure, love and war . . . Phoenix is a remarkable novel, uniting Said’s incredible storytelling with wonderful illustrations that bring to life an entire universe of creativity and imagination. Full of suspense, intrigue, action, emotion and more, this is a fantastic read which must surely be set for great things.

Lucky is a great super hero for kids, someone who puts others first . . . The illustrations by Dave McKean were very inspirational . . . I give this book 10/10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An action-packed adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Said is bold enough to know that sometimes, things can get scary, and young readers need that . . . [The illustration] uses the vastness and emptiness of space as a tool, filling this negative space with the movement of lines that enhance the vastness, and both the fear and joy that comes with being alone in it . . . A beautiful and awesome mythology, . . A remarkable adventure story for any age.

This book kept catching my eye in bookstores . . . The writing, as well as the illustrations, bring the story to life beautifully. . . Lucky is unforgettable.

There were some genius twists that kept me guessing at the ending. There’s no way I could have ever predicted the last chapters. They were heartbreaking, yet hopeful, and so beautiful . . . HIGHLY recommended for any sci-fi fans, fantasy fans, out there - and also anybody who wants a new favourite book.

It is layered with depth and meaning right from the get go . . . These multilayered themes and ideas, reinforced by strong characterisation, make this book shine . . . The result is a touching, meaningful story for children and adults alike.

A BOY WITH THE POWER OF A STAR . . . 
 
Lucky thinks he's an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing to him, and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him. 
 
Now he's on the run, racing through space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him are an Alien starship crew – and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair . . .

Dave McKean

Praise for Phoenix

Brilliant . . . a total pageturner. . . gloriously produced

Completely absorbing . . . The book is beautiful - lavishly illustrated by Dave McKean, with words and pictures working seamlessly together.

This is fabulous, high-octane stuff, with an uplifting ending, stunningly illustrated by the brilliant McKean

Brilliant . . . a total pageturner. . . gloriously produced

Completely absorbing . . . The book is beautiful - lavishly illustrated by Dave McKean, with words and pictures working seamlessly together.

This is fabulous, high-octane stuff, with an uplifting ending, stunningly illustrated by the brilliant McKean

Brilliant . . . a total pageturner. . . gloriously produced

Completely absorbing . . . The book is beautiful - lavishly illustrated by Dave McKean, with words and pictures working seamlessly together.

This is fabulous, high-octane stuff, with an uplifting ending, stunningly illustrated by the brilliant McKean

Books by Dave McKean

Series by Dave McKean

Varjak Paw

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