The Writers of Wales Database

JENKINSON, CECI

Tel: 01978 810461
Email: cecij@ukonline.co.uk  
Website: www.cecijenkinson.net

Ceci was born in Brecon and currently lives in North Wales, in a haunted farmhouse with her husband, two sons who give her lots of ideas for her books and two border terriers who keep her company while she writes and pinch her biscuits whenever she stops to gaze out of the window. Ceci is the writer of 'Oli and Skipjack’s Tales of Trouble', the hugely popular series for 7-11 year-olds published by Faber and Faber.

The Mum Shop (Faber and Faber, 2008) won the 2009 Shorter Novel category of the Sheffield Children's Book Awards. Gnomes are Forever (Faber and Faber, 2009) was short-listed for the 2009 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. When not writing she teaches English in Llangollen to students on an EU work-placement programme.

Reviews:
With respect to The Mum Shop (Faber and Faber, 2008):

"…Ceci Jenkinson obviously knows children and has spun them a well-written tale which relates to them and is literally fantastic. Hugely original and entertaining…"
Carousel

"…Laced with laugh-out-loud humour… delightful, quirky characters… children will love it..."
Write Away

"...This is a seriously funny book..."
Vulpes Libris


With respect to Gnomes are Forever (Faber and Faber, 2009):

"...Oli and Skipjack have all the makings of a classic pairing… Ceci Jenkinson has an instinctive feel for her audience and writes with pace and humour..."
The Daily Telegraph

"...Jenkinson’s style is quirky and extremely funny and the pacing is brilliant. This book quickly becomes impossible to put down..."
The Irish News

"...A brilliant little book… I can only say GIVE US MORE!..."
The Bookfiends’ Kingdom


With respect to The Spookoscope (Faber and Faber, 2009):

"...Ceci Jenkinson is determinedly writing for the 7–12 market and doing so awesomely… sharp, funny dialogue…[It is] not only perfect and thoroughly enjoyable for children, but for any parent o teacher who may be required to read it aloud. Funny and engaging – a very enthusiastic two thumbs up and a vehement recommendation..."
The Bookbag

"...Marvellously funny… a great book that both girls and boys will absolutely love..."
Waterstone’s Books Quarterly


With respect to Mirror Mischief (Faber and Faber, 2010):

"...[A] high-spirited adventure… rollicking along at 100 miles an hour, it’s a welcome title in this difficult age range..."
The Daily Mail

"...Wild, wacky and very funny..."
Lovereading4kids

"...This is the sort of book that boys need..."
The Bookbag


Selected Publications:
The Mum Shop (Faber and Faber, 2008)
Gnomes are Forever (Faber and Faber, 2009)
The Spookoscope (Faber and Faber, 2009)
Mirror Mischief (Faber and Faber, 2010)
Doctor Doom (Faber and Faber, 2010)
Undercover Aliens (Faber and Faber, 2011)

The Mum Shop (Faber and Faber, 2008)

Oli wants to swap his mum for someone who’ll let him eat loads of pepperoni pizza and watch Real Blood Bath Murders. Mother 44 drives a tank and trains secret agents. But she’s also hatching an evil anti-children plot – and she’s looking for a boy to help. When the Mum Shop’s Matcher puts them together – it’s trouble!

Winner: Sheffield Children’s Book Awards 2009 Shorter Novel Category.

To purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk please click on the front cover

Gnomes are Forever (Faber and Faber, 2009)

Oli and Skipjack have a plan: to punish mean old Mr Grimble by kidnapping all his garden gnomes. The World’s Best Cat Burglar also has a plan: to become very rich by stealing the Black Star diamond from the town museum. When these two plans collide – it’s trouble!

Shortlisted for Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2009.

To purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk please click on the front cover



The Spookoscope (Faber and Faber, 2009)

Lord and Lady Spiffing want lots of ghosts – to bring in the tourists at Spiffing Castle. Oli wants just one ghost – to win a bet with his sister. Skipjack doesn’t want any ghosts – but thanks to the Spookoscope, he’s got one. If the ghosts aren’t sorted by sundown – there’ll be trouble!

To purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk please click on the front cover





Mirror Mischief (Faber and Faber, 2010)

Meany maths teacher Vernon Surd punishes anyone who can’t do fractions (= Oli). School bully Slugger Stubbins punishes anyone who dodges his rugby tackles (= Oli). But when Oli uses his new magic mirror to punish his punishers, they go absolutely wild! Now only Skipjack can save his friend, with a bit of help from the Zombie Witch Doctor…

To purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk please click on the front cover




Doctor Doom (Faber and Faber, 2010)

Trainee secret agent Oli Biggles is on a mission – to track down an International Criminal Mastermind. Oli’s friend Skipjack is also on a mission – to escape being bashed by his old enemy Slugger Stubbins. Dodgy dentist Vladimir Vakloff is on a mission too – but it’s a secret. When all these missions meet at the Fancy Dress Fair – there’ll be trouble!

To purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk please click on the front cover