Breaking News! My Family and Other Romans voted best book 2023 for curriculum support by Books for Topics! Find out more about my events and school visits here.
About Marie Basting
When Marie Basting was fifteen, she was told by a careers advisor that girls like her don’t become writers. For a long time, she believed this – but Marie finally came to realise that girls like her can do anything they want. Marie’s debut novel, the critically acclaimed Princess BMX, was published in 2019.
Marie lives in Manchester with her husband, son and a giant, hairy woo-dog called Polly. When she’s not writing or annoying her family, you’ll find her supporting other boys and girls to follow their writing dreams. Her latest book, My Family and Other Romans, is a laugh-out-loud funny family caper full of excitement and heart and is available from all good bookshops.
Marie has an MA in Creative Writing and is an experienced learning and development practitioner with skills and qualifications in coaching, action learning and leadership and team development. She is a former Assistant Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and for several years taught Creative Writing and Children’s Literature at Manchester Met University. Marie’s books are illustrated by the wonderful Flavia Sorrentino. Find out more about Flavia here.
Marie is available for interview and to write features. For more info please contact publicist Jazz Bartlett Love: jasmine@chickenhousebooks.com
Connect with Marie on Twitter @riewriting and Instagram @marie_basting_author.
My Family and Other Romans
Published by Chicken House 8th June 2023 | 9781911490951 | £7.99 PB | Ebook available
Livi just wants to fit in. So, being catapulted back to Ancient Rome and finding out her mum is a warrior goddess is not part of the plan. As for the rest of the family – her sister is a cyclops, her uncle is building an army, and her role-play, LARP-obsessed dad is now a lava soldier. The fate of the world resting on her shoulders, can Livi embrace her differences and sort this mess out?
- The Romans as you’ve never seen them before!
- A laugh-out-loud funny family caper full of excitement and heart: perfect for fans of Loki,
Horrible Histories and Who Let the Gods Out? - Readers will go on a time-travel adventure – with a LARPing twist – as Livi and her family
are catapulted back to Ancient Rome - High-concept yet commercial; themes of family, belonging and building confidence
- Sure to be a hit with KS2 (7-11) readers, as Romans are a staple on the curriculum
Princess BMX
Published by Chicken House 1st August 2019 | 9781911490944 | £6.99 PB | Ebook available
Meet Ava, a radical new princess who splits her time between the skateparks of Camden, London and her home in a magical kingdom. Published by Chicken House, PRINCESS BMX is a funny debut for ages 7+ that brings the fairy tale bang up to date – get ready for some extreme adventurous fun!
PRINCESS BMX is Enchanted meets BMX! Follow Ava’s adventures as she travels from another world, finds her true talents in BMX and brings her brand-new powers back home. With black and white illustrations throughout by Flavia Sorrentino, young readers will delight in following Ava on her adventures with her dog, Jeb.
REVIEWS
PRINCESS BMX
More irrepressible fun runs through Princess BMX […] Evil aunties and fairy godfathers called Nigel combine with a streak of feisty rebellion to create a daft and delicious fantasy.
The Guardian
Princess BMX is a bewitching, laugh-out-loud adventure, full of weird and wonderful creatures […] and with a bold, brave, rule-breaking heroine who proves girls step in where others fear to tread. So get in gear for the best royal story in London town!
Lancashire Post
Ava’s hilarious adventure races along at breakneck speed while punctured with characterful illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino. Children will love Ava’s cheeky humour and her courage to be true to herself. A modern fairy-tale which is full of magic, friendship and bikes! Enchanted meets BMX.
South Wales Evening Post
This book is a fabulous mix of magic and the everyday. A testament to friendship and believing in yourself. A proper modern fairy-tale with a princess that is waaaaaaay more than a pink dress wearing puppet. Ava is brave, fearless and fabulous and the story ends with the tantalising prospect of more to come.
StorgyKids
Joyful word building meets compelling storytelling in this fun and entertaining debut, a must for those who love to break the rules and challenge the status quo.
Book Lover Jo
A hugely entertaining story about the “most radical princess since Leia”: it’s impossible not to love – and laugh out loud at – Princess BMX.
Madge Eekel Reviews
Featuring quirky characters, a hilarious plot and funny black-and-white illustrations, this fast-paced contemporary fairy tale is ideal for confident young readers.
BookTrust
Listed in GEC Best Books 2019 – a round-up of the absolute best books out there for smashing Stereotypes.
MY FAMILY AND OTHER ROMANS
With this brilliant mash-up of LARPing (Live Action Role Play) and ancient history, Marie Basting will have children giggling and learning Latin while they do it! […] If you are looking for a quirky, fun (and just a little bit silly!) addition to classroom shelves for a topic on Ancient Rome then look no further!
Books For Topics
LARP meets real life in this fast-paced and fun historical time travel romp that children in KS2 will love. It’ll turn your Romans topic on its head!
The School Reading List
If your’re looking for a read-aloud with plenty of humour, strong female character, and with lots of detail about life in Ancient Rome this is it. Perfect for 8 to 10 year olds.
Melissa Jordan, Reading Pebbles
Loki says READ IT! He sometimes wishes the Roman gods would adopt him instead of the mean Norse ones… this book is so funny and utterly bizarre. @riewriting ‘s brain is pure chaotic brilliance!
Perfect funny escapism with added Roman mythology…Charming and mischievous!
Louie Stowell, Author of Loki Series
Marie Basting has created such a funny yet heart-warming story about friendship and family, all rolled in to one neat epic Roman adventure. With brilliant illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino, this is a fantastic nod to the gods and goddesses who capture our imagination on every page.
My Book Corner
Marie is available for events and author visits. Visit her events page for further details.
Marie Basting 