Ashley King

Ashley King

  • 5 stars across 17 books
Kaye Umansky was born in Plymouth in Devon, England. She went to Teacher's Training College, after which she taught in London primary schools for twelve years, specializing in music and drama. In her spare time, she sang and played keyboards with a semiprofessional soul band. She now writes full time and has written more than twenty-five books of fantasy, fiction, and poetry for children. She draws on traditional folktales and modern urban myths for her inspiration and has a sense of humor that is popular with children of all ages, from five to one hundred and five. She lives in London with her family. Among her most popular books are her hilarious Pongwiffy titles. Pongwiffy, Pongwiffy and the Goblins' Revenge, and Pongwiffy and the Spell of the Year, which won the Nottinghamshire Book Award, are available from Minstrel Books. Ashley King is a passionate Illustrator who hand draws, paints, creates, doodles, scribbles and loves coffee and cake. He graduated from Coventry University with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Illustration and Animation, and is represented by Plum Pudding Illustration Agency. His first illustrated children's book Erica's Elephant, Sylvia Bishop, published by Scholastic in 2016 with rave reviews, and his second book for young readers The Bookshop Girl, published in April 2017. He is also working on several other projects including working with Kaye Umansky on her new spell binding series Witch for a Week, publishing in October 2017 with Simon & Schuster.
6th April 2017

The Bookshop Girl

  This story is about a little girl named Property Jones, so-called because she was left in the lost prope... MoreThe Bookshop Girl

(25 reviews) Review
5th October 2017

Witch for a Week

'A Bewitching tale, charmingly told and is certain to delight any witch in the making' M.G, Leonard, award-winning autho... MoreWitch for a Week

(22 reviews) Review
23rd July 2020

44 Tiny Secrets

The first book in a heartwarming and timeless new series with a brave and spirited heroine, from the acclaimed duo behin... More44 Tiny Secrets

(19 reviews) Review
6th September 2018

Wish for a Witch

Everyone is already the spell of this charming new series from Kaye Umansky... 'Umansky is one of our most delightf... MoreWish for a Witch

(14 reviews) Review
2nd June 2016

Erica's Elephant

When Erica Perkins wakes up on the morning of her tenth birthday, the last thing she expects is to find a very con... MoreErica's Elephant

(8 reviews) Review
15th March 2020

Clever Cakes

Two super-smart kids triumph in these perfectly packaged tales with a twist from multi-award-winning and be... MoreClever Cakes

(6 reviews) Review
4th February 2021

44 Tiny Acrobats

Join brave and spirited heroine Betsy and her forty-four tiny mice in a thrilling new adventure. When Fry's Circus of... More44 Tiny Acrobats

(6 reviews) Review
6th September 2018

Elvis the Squirrel: A Bloomsbury Young Reader: Gold Book Band

Book band: Gold (Ideal for ages 6+)Quizzed for Accelerated ReaderA fun, heartwarming animal story, ideal for children pr... MoreElvis the Squirrel: A Bloomsbury Young Reader: Gold Book Band

(4 reviews) Review
8th July 2021

44 Tiny Chefs

Join brave and spirited heroine Betsy and her forty-four tiny mice in a charming new adventure. Betsy is delighted th... More44 Tiny Chefs

(3 reviews) Review
15th January 2026

Sadie Jones and the Ball

Sadie Jones, the smallest kitchen maid in the palace, is determined that no one should be left out of Princ... MoreSadie Jones and the Ball

(2 reviews) Review
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    Thanks to Poppy at Barrington stoke for the early copy, Out 15th January. 

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