Tiggy Thistle and the Lost Guardians by Chris Riddell ~ Blog Tour

3rd November 2022
Readers age 8+
Macmillan Children’s Books

Join Tiggy Thistle, Ernestine the Ice Badger and a cast of delightfully magical characters in the second book of The Cloud Chronicles duology by Chris Riddell. Mystery, danger and the unknown take Tiggy on an adventure into an enchanted world in search of the legendary Guardians of Magic. This is a story for everyone who loves the most wonderful fantasy where imagination takes flight and anything is possible.

Chris Riddell’s incredible talent for drawing brings this gorgeous story to life. The two-colour illustrations create an icy feel across the cursed land while giving so much personality to each charming character. The beautiful hardback version, complete with wonderful secrets under the dust jacket and maps inside the covers, will make the perfect Christmas gift for young readers.

It’s been almost ten years since a curse of endless winter settled on the Kingdom of Thrynne. All Tiggy Thistle knows is that Ernestine was tasked with protecting her and one day, when it’s time, she will find out more about who she is and where her family has gone.

Most people left the community in search of warmer lands, allowing cats in boots to take over with mischievous elves causing trouble. When Crumple Stiltskin gives her a scarf, boots and a rucksack that seem to understand her every thought, her life changes forever.

I’m thrilled to share an extract from my favourite part of the story when Tiggy Thistle learns the gifts she has just accepted from Crumple Stiltskin are magical.

Extract from Page 19 –

Tiggy looked at the pair of boots. They were beautifully stitched, the soft leather embossed with stars and symbols, the soles studded with tiny hobnails that looked perfect for gripping in the snow. Tiggy’s shoes were scuffed and almost worn out, stuffed with strips of material cut from old curtains to plug the holes. She took them off and pulled on the boots. They were as comfortable and well-fitting as she’d hoped they’d be. After all, the elves had a reputation as excellent shoemakers and the cats of Troutwine prized their boots above everything else the elves had to offer.

Tiggy examined the scarf. It was plain, slightly yellow in colour and not nearly as decorative as the boots, but when she put it on a wonderful warm sensation seemed to flow from her neck down. Elves were known for dabbling in magical items and Tiggy knew she should be careful. More than once, Ernestine had warned her about magic and how it could be misused. Reluctantly Tiggy reached up to untie the scarf, when it spoke.

‘Oh, please don’t take me off,’ it said in a soft, silky voice, no louder than a whisper. ‘I’ve waited so long to be owned by someone like you.’

‘Like me?’ said Tiggy. She felt a little concerned, but the scarf made her feel beautifully warm.

‘Someone who has the gift of understanding magical things. I wouldn’t talk to just anyone, you know,’ the scarf went on. ‘Certainly not that fat old cat, Colonel Fluffy, who used to own me. Horribly sharp claws and I’m pretty certain he had fleas too. It’s why Boots, Baggage and I decided to run away.’ The scarf gave a tinkling little laugh that made Tiggy smile. ‘When I say run,’ it explained, ‘Boots did the running. Baggage and I bumped along behind.’

Boots. The boots Tiggy was wearing clicked their heels together as if agreeing with the scarf. Despite her misgivings, these magical things felt so comfortable. Tiggy reached down and picked up the rucksack. It was as light as a feather.

‘That’s Baggage. He didn’t have time to pack,’ chuckled the scarf. ‘Anyway, we got as far as this alley when Rumple, Crumple and Trumple popped up from the sewers. Of course, we played dumb, just lay in the snow as if lost or thrown away, but the Stiltskin brothers spotted Boots straight away. “Careless old Fluffy,” one of them said, and the next thing I know, Baggage and I are hanging up on coat hooks in their workshop, and Boots is in a shoe rack next to some dancing shoes that tapped all night long. Horrible smell of glue and a couple of stuck-up harps in the corner. Oh, I’m so glad we were given to you, Miss Antigone Thistlethwaite. If the Stiltskin brothers knew just how magical we are, they would have kept us in that smelly workshop of theirs. No real understanding of magical things, not like you. You understand magic.’

Tiggy felt a pulse of warmth from the scarf. Why do they think I understand magic? Tiggy wondered. She wasn’t sure if she could trust what the scarf was telling her, but it had such a warm, kind voice. There was no harm in being polite.

‘Please, call me Tiggy,’ she said. She looked down at the boots and then at the rucksack in her hands. ‘So you’re magical?’ she asked. ‘How?’

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s Books for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour!