Tales Q&A with Rachel Delahaye
I am super excited to have been asked to feature a post from Rachel Delahaye author of the super funny MG Jim Reaper series published by Piccadilly Press.
Jim Reaper: Saving Granny Magot is the second book in this fab series and was released on the 14th July 2016 and is illustrated by the brilliant Jamie Littler.
The first in the series, Jim Reaper: Son Of Grim was released earlier this year.
A huge thank you to Carmen and Rachel for asking me to post this a feature and for sending me a copy of the books to read.
For my post I thought it would be good to find out a little bit more about Jim Reaper so I thought a character Q&A with the boy himself would be perfect…..
You might have heard how the universe began with the Big Bang? Well, the universe as Jim Wimple knows it is about to end. With a Bazoom! Not only are Bazoom! scooters super fast and deadly cool, but fierce (and swoonsome) older girl Fiona has just started riding hers to and from school, and possibly out of Jim’s life forever. Disaster! Jim Wimple needs a Bazoom!, and fast. So he and his best friend Will devise a clever scheme, which involves having to sneak into Dad’s workplace. But when the boys break into the Mallet & Mullet ‘accountancy’ office they find that the walls are lined with ancient portraits, the staff are highly secretive, and Jim’s dad’s office bears the sign ‘G Reaper’…And then all hell really breaks loose. What would YOU do if you thought your dad might be …Death?! Illustrated with cool art by HAMISH artist Jamie Littler.
You can buy a copy of this book here
Another fast and fun adventure about life, death and all the hilarity in between . . .
Jim is getting to grips with his father’s rather unusual job at the Dead End Office and is keeping the truth secret as a promise to Dad. But when Jim sees that Will’s grandma is next on the list of Death Dates, he springs into action. Even though Granny Maggot is smelly, mean-spirited and VERY unfriendly, his best friend Will adores her. Jim has to do something!
If the boys can keep Will’s granny safe until midnight, can they save her life?
You can by a copy of this book here
Hi Jim! Thank you for joining me today! I’m so thrilled to have you here today!
Firstly a little about your second adventure Jim Reaper: Saving Granny Maggot…..
Another fast and fun adventure about life, death and all the hilarity in between . . .
Jim is getting to grips with his father’s rather unusual job at the Dead End Office and is keeping the truth secret as a promise to Dad. But when Jim sees that Will’s grandma is next on the list of Death Dates, he springs into action. Even though Granny Maggot is smelly, mean-spirited and VERY unfriendly, his best friend Will adores her. Jim has to do something!
If the boys can keep Will’s granny safe until midnight, can they save her life?
So Jim. How are you?
I’m fine. Just a little bit out of breath, because my sister, Hetty, has been trying to cut my hair again. Believe me, Hetty might call herself a hair-dresser, but she’s more of a hair-messer – with scissors! I’ve been running away from her all morning.
For those of us who don’t know who you are could you tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I’m Jim – hello again. And I guess I’m quite ordinary. There’s nothing much to say. Although I do like Dr Who. He’s cool. But maybe not as cool as Sherlock Holmes. He’s a detective. I’m not saying I’m a detective, but I like finding out stuff. Finding out stuff is what I do. Although it’s probably not best to find out what Mum puts in her muffins. I avoid that at all costs.
Your real name is Jim Wimple so why are you called Jim Reaper?
Sneaky question! I’d like to give you the answer and shout BINGO. But then you wouldn’t have anything to find out, and I don’t want to take that away from you. Tip: if you read my stories you’ll find out pretty quickly.
What does your Dad do for a living?
Most people think he’s a Senior Accountant for Mallet & Mullet Accountants. But he’s not. He watches figures go in and out, though… Oh, I can’t keep it a secret any longer – he’s DEATH!
How did you feel when you found out about your Dad?
I didn’t believe it, even though I worked it all out myself and confronted him. I actually asked him – are you Death. And he said yes. I mean – DEATH? That’s crazy! That’s crazier than Mum’s muffin recipes, crazier than Hetty’s dress sense, crazier than anything Mr Bean would do. It’s even crazier than my best friend, Will, and that’s saying something! But I’ve got used to the idea. Death’s not scary, he’s my Dad.
Can you tell us a little about your best friend Will?
Will is 100% weird. He’s also 100% wonderful. That’s 200% of wacky brilliance right there. His brain isn’t like any I’ve ever met before. Not that I’ve met a brain. But you know what I mean. Will is a great friend, because he cares about stuff. And he always tells the truth.
How did you become friends with Will?
I was sitting in the corner of the playground and break time and suddenly, out of nowhere, this kid comes up and tells me that the largest display of empty crisp packets took place in Germany in 2009. There were 2000 packets. Most people would tell him to go away for being nerdy, but I thought that was kind of cool.
Your second story is about Granny Maggot, Will’s Gran – can you tell us a little about her?
She is BONKERS! And horrible. That’s what you think when you first meet her, but actually, it’s just because her brain has got stuck in ugly thoughts. When she does something new or exciting, she goes back to being a nice old lady again. It’s a bit like a miracle.
Do you think you can save Granny Maggot?
Yes. I think you can do anything when you put your mind to it. Or if you get Will to put his mind to it – because his brain is blessed with meatballs of brilliance. Also, you should never give up.
What do you think about how the illustrator Jamie Littler drew you? Did he capture the real Jim?
What do you mean? It is me. It’s like a photograph of me, in fact. Apart from the fact that most of the pictures make me look a bit surprised. I want to reassure you that I’m totally in control – all of the time.
Quickfire Questions
Favourite word?
Bingo
Favourite Colour?
Red. And Blue.
Favourite song to sing at Karaoke?
Can’t Touch This. It reminds me of my Dad.
Favourite book or author?
Henry Sugar, by Roald Dahl.
What do you think the future has in store for Jim Reaper?
I think, whether you’ll get to read about them or not, he’ll will be having plenty more adventures. He’s too curious to sit back and let life (and death) happen. You can bet he’ll be investigating and filling his project book for years to come.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone reading this interview what would it be?
Don’t underestimate kids. Sometimes it’s good to be born yesterday. Or near enough. Kids’ brains are fresh and full of ideas… they haven’t been worn down by life, and lectures about safety and healthy eating.
Thank you so much for answering all my questions Jim.
That’s okay. It was fun.
You can buy a copy of these books here
About Rachel Delahaye
After studying linguistics near a town called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Rachel began a career in print journalism. She has worked in London, Sydney and Melbourne, and now lives in Bath. While she has vowed never to move again (well, not for a little while), her imagination has refused to settle down, and she’s now writing children’s fiction.
Her hilarious Jim Reaper: Son of Grim, is published by Piccadilly Press (Feb 2016), with two sequels following hot on its heels.
Rachel is married with two children and a dog called Rocket.
You can find out more about Rachel on her website – www.racheldelahaye.com
Or why not follow her on twitter – @RachelDelahaye
Quickfire Questions
Favourite word?
Concoction
Favourite Ice Cream?
Ginger
Favourite Colour?
Green
Favourite song to sing at Karaoke?
Twist and Shout.
Favourite book or author?
Under The Mountain, by Maurice Gee.
A huge huge thank you to Rachel for playing along and answering all my questions and to Carmen at Picadilly Press for arranging this interview.!
Have you read any of the Jim Reaper series? What did you think? Are you excited for the Granny Maggot? I would love to hear from you! Why not leave a comment using the reply button at the top of this review or tweet me on twitter using @chelleytoy!
Happy Reading!
