Philip Ridley

Writer - children's

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Books

Books

Philip Ridley was born and brought up in the East End of London. He studied Painting at St Martin's School of Art, making a controversial public debut in the ICA's 'New Contemporaries' exhibition. He has since achieved critical acclaim both as an artist, and a novelist for both children and adults. His adult fiction includes the cult-classic novel, CROCODILIA, written in his final year at St Martin’s; IN THE EYES OF FURY, the first novel chosen for the Penguin Originals series; and FLAMINGOES IN ORBIT, a collection of short stories published by Hamish Hamilton. All three of these titles have recently been published by Valancourt Books. 

Philip's bestselling childrens' novels have won (or been nominated for) many prestigious awards; KRINDLEKRAX won the 1991 Smarties' Prize for the best novel in the 9-11 age group, KASPER IN THE GLITTER was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize, SCRIBBLEBOY was shortisted for the Carnegie Medal, and MIGHTY FIZZ CHILLA was shortlsited for the Blue Peter Best Book Award.

Children's

Publication DetailsNotes

VINEGAR STREET

2006

UK: Penguin

Poppy Picklesticks loves her life on Vinegar Street. But one day the tingle voice inside her head warns her that someone new is about to move in, and that this person will threaten everything Poppy holds dear. The new book from the Smarties Prize-winning author of KRINDLEKRAX and SCRIBBLEBOY.

THE MIGHTY FIZZ CHILLA

2006

UK: Penguin; Finnish: Soderstrom; Italian: Mondadori (reverted); Thai: Good Morning Publishing

Milo Kick is no longer Mum's little 'angel'. Five months ago something happened - something only Milo knows - that changed him into a 'monster'. Unable to cope, Mum sends him to stay with Cressida Bell, an old family friend who lives by the sea. Gradually, Milo becomes obsessed with stories about wild Captain Jellicoe who lives in a nearby cave and who, in turn, has his own story to tell. It is a story that will change Milo's life forever.
It is the story of Mighty Fizz Chilla.

KRINDLEKRAX

2005

UK: Penguin

Ruskin Splinter is small and thin, with knock knees, thick glasses and a squeaky voice, and the idea of him taming a dragon makes the whole class laugh out loud. Big, strong Elvis may be stupid and keep breaking windows, but he looks like a hero. So who is more likely to get the part of the hero in the school play?
But under Lizard Street, beneath the dark bricks and cracked pavements, lurks the mysterious Krindlekrax. And when Krindlekrax threatens Lizard Street, Ruskin has the chance to prove he's the stuff heroes are made of!

ZIP'S APOLLO

2005

UK: Puffin; Italian: Mondadori per Ragazzi

Zip used to live in a forest where everything seemed wonderful and full of magic. But now he’s moved to New Town, a place of square houses, straight roads and plastic trees, and all wonder and magic has vanished from his life.
After all, thinks Zip, what can be magical about a concrete town on the edge of a noisy motorway next to an ultra-modern supermarket? Nothing! I’ll never experience anything wonderful or magical again!

And then, one day, a supermarket trolley speaks…

SCRIBBLEBOY

1997

UK: Penguin

'My name is Scribbleboy and I'm back to scribble!'
Years ago, Scribbleboy had transformed the gloomy grey concrete of the neighbourhood with his fabulous shapes and colours...until, without warning, he vanished. Most of the Scribbles were destroyed and only the Scribbleboy Fan Club kept his legend alive.

Then, one night, a strange figure is seen and a mysterious voice heard...

Could the impossible have happened? Has the legend come true? Is Scribbleboy really back?