Mirrorscape - Softcover

Mike Wilks founded his own very successful graphic design company, TWD in 1970, and in 1975 started a second career as an illustrator and writer. He is inspired by Bosch, Brueghel, Escher and Dadd. He has had eight books of illustration work published, two of which were bestsellers, including The Ultimate Alphabet, which was in the Sunday Times bestseller chart for 57 weeks, sold 750,000 copies worldwide and was WHSmith's 'most shop-lifted title'. The BBC made an award-winning documentary about his work in the early 90s and there have been four one-man exhibitions of his work. As well as being bought by collectors across Europe and the US (Sir Tim Rice is among his many fans), his work has been acquired by the V & A in London and by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Mike lives in London and has been creating the world of Mirrorscape for a number of years.

Grade 5–8—Enter a dismal world where pleasures are controlled by five Mysteries in the first title (Egmont, 2009) in a projected trilogy by Mike Wilks. Mel Womper loves to draw and is offered an apprenticeship under the master painter, Ambrosias Blenk. From the beginning, he runs into trouble with the fifth Mystery, which controls color, the backbone of the art world. The head apprentice, Groot, doesn't like the addition of Mel to the ranks. Doomed to perform menial tasks under Groot's rule, Mel is befriended by Ludo, a fellow apprentice, and the kitchen girl, Wren. The adventure begins when Mel witnesses the Master doing something secretive in his office. Then Mel and Ludo stumble into Mirrorscape, the worlds within paintings where imagination exists. Just like the Narnia books, time passes slowly in Mirrorscape, affording the friends the ability to move in and out of reality. They become embroiled in a battle between the Fifth Mystery and the Rainbow Rebellion, and only wit and imagination can help them survive. Wilks builds a rich background around art and the world of painting. Fantastic creatures and extraordinary events fill the pages and the use of literary elements is well done, but at times it is difficult to feel a deep connection to the characters and events taking place. Paul English is masterful in his pacing and performance, giving each character a distinct voice and bringing energy to the tale.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
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