Book Nook - The Ginks

In his debut children’s fantasy The Ginks, former international comedian Paul B. Edwards invites readers into a strange and humorous world hidden beneath the bed.

 

Children’s fantasy stories that blend humour with classic childhood fears continue to resonate with young audiences. By reimagining the familiar idea of “monsters under the bed,” The Ginks transforms a universal childhood worry into a playful adventure filled with imagination and unexpected heroes.

 

Blending fantasy and adventure, The Ginks introduces a cast of eccentric characters and mischievous monsters who test the courage and creativity of its young heroes. Edwards fills the story with absurd situations, quirky creatures, and playful storytelling.

 

 

Synopsis

Abigail believes monsters called Ginks live under one of the beds in her room, and whenever she gets into trouble, they try to drag her into their cave.

 

One Friday the 13th, a chaotic night with her cousins Katie and Rosie and a disastrous game of Monopoly sets off a strange chain of events. Soon, Abigail and Katie are pulled into the Ginks’ bizarre underground world in a desperate attempt to rescue Rosie.

 

There, they encounter the Ginkmaster, a terrifying yet ridiculous creature who loves composing poetry but can never finish a verse—an unfortunate weakness shared by all Ginks.

 

With strange creatures, unexpected allies, and Abigail’s mysterious teddy-bear parasol, the girls must find their way home. They may survive Friday the 13th, but one question remains: are the Ginks truly gone, or is this only the beginning?

 

“The idea began with a simple childhood fear: what if the monsters under the bed were real?” Edwards explains. “It’s an imaginative thought most people can relate to. From checking under the bed before bedtime to sleeping with the lights on, we all had a childhood fear that, looking back, makes us laugh.”

 

Continuing, Edwards adds, “I wanted to turn that fear into something funny, adventurous, and a little bit ridiculous. The Ginks may seem frightening at first glance, but they are also clumsy, chaotic, and not particularly bright. At its heart, the story celebrates imagination, courage, and the creative ways children learn to face their fears.”

About the Author

Paul B. Edwards spent twenty-five years working as a comedian, performing at festivals, comedy clubs, and venues across the UK and around the world. He ran his own comedy show in Oslo for eight years and even became the first-ever comedy headline act at the World Nettle Eating Competition.

 

Over the years, he has also trained as a wedding celebrant, been ordained as a Dudeist priest, and even become a Lord of Sealand. He spent eight years as a tour guide in Nottingham, the city he still calls home, while delivering comedy workshops in schools and working freelance as one of Merlin Entertainments’ creative “ideas” specialists.

 

When the pandemic brought live entertainment to a halt, Edwards retrained as a civil servant. With weekends suddenly free, he returned to writing, ultimately leading to the creation of The Ginks.