Most Popular Books by Lisa Mantchev

“Directly personal and visually dramatic.”—Booklist “Carries a deeper and more important message about considering others’ circumstances in light of one’s own privileges that many kids may benefit from hearing.” —BCCB “A satisfying storytime read-aloud about the gift of giving and sharing.” —School Library Journal From the author of Strictly No Elephants comes a sweet picture book that explores themes of selflessness and empathy when a girl has the chance to make just one wish. In the grass, a girl finds an extraordinary thing that gives her…just…one…wish. She asks her those around her what they would wish for in her shoes, but nothing seems quite right. What will her perfect wish be? In this pitch-perfect picture book, Lisa Mantchev takes the concept of a magic wish and uses it to explore real world empathy, kindness, and good will.

From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars We are such stuff as dreams are made on. Act Two, Scene One Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn''t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world. Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between— Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril. Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear. When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre''s caravan, using Bertie''s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie''s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie''s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it''s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess''s lair? Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won''t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.

All Beatrice Shakespeare Smith has ever wanted is a true family of her own. And she''s close to reuniting her parents when her father disappears. Now Bertie must deal with a vengeful sea goddess and a mysterious queen as she tries to keep her family – and the Theatre Illuminata – from crumbling. To complicate it all, Bertie is torn between her two loves, Ariel and Nate.

In a house full of animals, the cats stay upstairs and the dogs, downstairs until a bold cat sneaks out and, rather than causing a fight, explores the house and new friendship with the dogs.

“Sweet, upbeat, and refreshing.” —Kirkus Reviews From the author of Strictly No Elephants comes an adorable picture book that tells the timeless tale of a little girl who’s on a mission to convince her big sister to play with her! For Lizzie, the perfect afternoon is one spent playing with her big sister, Jane. But it’s tough being the little sister. Jane is always busy with activities and play dates. And so she hatches the perfect plan to show Jane just how much she loves her. Each day of the week Lizzie works hard sketching and planning, waiting until Saturday when she can reveal her grand surprise to Jane: it’s Sister Day, a celebration of imagination and sisterhood. This sweet and whimsical story perfectly captures the special bond between sisters.

With an iron-willed girl hero whose magic is with words, and a universe that is also the ultimate theater, "Eyes Like Stars" is the most unusual fantasy I''ve read this year! I recommend it to anyone who loves drama, strong girls, and rowdy faery folk.--Tamora Pierce.

“An exuberant picture book…Fabulously fun artwork…Fighting crime definitely takes imagination.” —The Wall Street Journal “This tale offers the refreshing twist of sibling friendship that parents will applaud. Jinx and the Doom will captivate readers with their irresistible fun.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Jinx and her little brother, the Doom, are pretty typical kids—except when they turn into superheroes and fight crime—in this relatable celebration of siblings and imagination by the author of Strictly No Elephants. A typical day for Jinx and the Doom looks like this: wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth—then FIGHT CRIME! These rambunctious kids used to fight each other, until one day they realized that they could use their powers for good instead of evil. So now they protect the planet! Defend the innocent! And then stop to have lunch. Bright cut-paper, comic book–style illustrations highlight the power of imagination and the joy of having a sibling to play with.

"A girl and her pet giraffe go to Pet Club, where all are welcome"--

"A tiny narwhal in a fishbowl discovers that sometimes the difference between staying home and a big adventure is a group of loving friends"--

"A sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale." --The New York Times Book Review "Sweet and affirming." --Kirkus Reviews When the local Pet Club won''t admit a boy''s tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution--one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn''t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

“Breathtaking.” —School Library Connection “Enchanting art.” —Publishers Weekly Journey meets Pearl in this transcendent picture book about a mermaid finding her forever home, created by the author of Strictly No Elephants, Lisa Mantchev, and The Bear and the Piano author-illustrator David Litchfield. When a boy is out swimming and looking for fish, he meets a mermaid instead. She is all alone. He welcomes her to his home and his circus family. Though she misses the ocean, she feels she has found a new family and home. With lyrical text and luminous artwork, Remarkables is a story of friendship and finding home. What a remarkable place the world is.

When the surgeon who provided her with a clockwork heart is put on trial for murder, Penny Farthing''s parents are kidnapped and Penny and her brother receive a ransom note demanding the research her parents kept on the procedures of her surgery.

"Originalmente publicado en 2015 por Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers como Strictly No Elephants."

Una dolça història que capta la màgia de l''amistat i l''alegria de conviure amb una mascota. «El problema que té adoptar un elefantet com a animal de companyia és que la gent no ho veu amb bons ulls. I és que ningú més no té un elefant a casa. Cada dia trec a passejar el meu elefant. Val a dir que és molt considerat, i per res del món no deixaria que em mullés. No li agraden gaire les esquerdes de la vorera. Sempre l''he d''agafar a coll perquè passi. Això és el que fan els amics: ajudar-se per poder saltar les esquerdes».

Le problème, quand on a un éléphant à la maison, c''est qu''on est toujours un peu différent... Une histoire qui défend les valeurs d''Amnesty international : agir ensemble contre toute forme de discrimination.