📖 Overview
A.F. Harrold is a British poet and children's author known for writing imaginative middle-grade fiction that often blends reality with fantasy elements. His most recognized works include The Imaginary and The Song from Somewhere Else, both of which feature illustrations by Emily Gravett and Levi Pinfold respectively.
Before focusing on children's literature, Harrold established himself as a performance poet and compiled several poetry collections for adults. He continues to write poetry alongside his children's books and regularly performs at literary festivals and schools throughout the UK.
His children's novels frequently explore themes of friendship, outsiders, and the power of imagination, earning him multiple awards and nominations. The Imaginary was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, while The Song from Somewhere Else won the Amnesty CILIP Honour in 2018.
Harrold resides in Reading, Berkshire, where he continues to write both poetry and prose. His work is characterized by its ability to weave together humor and serious themes, making complex emotional subjects accessible to young readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe A.F. Harrold's writing as quirky and imaginative, appealing to both children and adults. His poetry and children's books maintain high ratings on review sites, with most titles averaging 4+ stars on Goodreads.
Readers highlight:
- Unique blend of humor and emotional depth
- Distinctive illustration partnerships with Emily Gravett and Mini Grey
- Ability to tackle serious themes in child-appropriate ways
- Poetry that connects with young audiences
Common criticisms:
- Some find the writing style too eccentric
- Darker elements can unsettle sensitive readers
- Plot pacing issues in longer works
Review data:
Goodreads averages:
- The Imaginary: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Fizzlebert Stump: 3.9/5 (400+ ratings)
- Things You Find in a Poet's Beard: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings)
Amazon shows similar patterns with 85%+ 4-5 star reviews across titles. Parent reviews frequently mention the books spark creativity and imagination.
📚 Books by A. F. Harrold
The Imaginary - A story about a girl named Rudger who is Amanda's imaginary friend and must find his way back to her while avoiding the mysterious Mr. Bunting who hunts and eats imaginaries.
The Song from Somewhere Else - A tale following Frank, a bullied girl who discovers her strange neighbor Nick has a magical secret in his basement involving ethereal music and another world.
Things You Find in a Poet's Beard - A collection of playful and thoughtful poems for children covering topics from pets and family to more unusual subjects like beard-dwelling creatures.
Fizzlebert Stump: The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus (and Joined the Library) - Chronicles the adventures of a circus boy who decides to explore life outside the big top by getting a library card.
The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice - A compilation of humorous poems offering questionable guidance and silly suggestions for various life situations.
The Song from Somewhere Else - A tale following Frank, a bullied girl who discovers her strange neighbor Nick has a magical secret in his basement involving ethereal music and another world.
Things You Find in a Poet's Beard - A collection of playful and thoughtful poems for children covering topics from pets and family to more unusual subjects like beard-dwelling creatures.
Fizzlebert Stump: The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus (and Joined the Library) - Chronicles the adventures of a circus boy who decides to explore life outside the big top by getting a library card.
The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice - A compilation of humorous poems offering questionable guidance and silly suggestions for various life situations.
👥 Similar authors
Neil Gaiman writes stories that blend everyday life with fantasy elements, often featuring young protagonists discovering hidden worlds. His work, like Coraline and The Graveyard Book, combines darkness and wonder in similar ways to Harrold's writing.
Katherine Rundell creates stories about outsiders and unconventional children finding their place in the world. Her books like Rooftoppers and The Good Thieves deal with friendship and belonging through a mix of reality and extraordinary circumstances.
David Almond explores the intersection of real life and magical elements through child protagonists dealing with complex emotions. His books Skellig and My Name is Mina share Harrold's approach to weaving fantastical elements into contemporary settings.
Ross Montgomery writes middle-grade fiction that combines humor with deeper themes about identity and friendship. His books The Midnight Guardians and Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door feature imaginative premises and emotional depth comparable to Harrold's work.
Emma Carroll crafts stories that mix historical settings with supernatural elements and focus on young characters facing unusual circumstances. Her books Strange Star and Letters from the Lighthouse balance real-world elements with fantasy in ways that mirror Harrold's style.
Katherine Rundell creates stories about outsiders and unconventional children finding their place in the world. Her books like Rooftoppers and The Good Thieves deal with friendship and belonging through a mix of reality and extraordinary circumstances.
David Almond explores the intersection of real life and magical elements through child protagonists dealing with complex emotions. His books Skellig and My Name is Mina share Harrold's approach to weaving fantastical elements into contemporary settings.
Ross Montgomery writes middle-grade fiction that combines humor with deeper themes about identity and friendship. His books The Midnight Guardians and Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door feature imaginative premises and emotional depth comparable to Harrold's work.
Emma Carroll crafts stories that mix historical settings with supernatural elements and focus on young characters facing unusual circumstances. Her books Strange Star and Letters from the Lighthouse balance real-world elements with fantasy in ways that mirror Harrold's style.