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The Invisible Kingdom is a wonderfully original book by Rob Ryan

Gorgeous words and stunning illustrations combine in a book for anyone aged 8-80, by internationally renowned paper-cut artist Rob Ryan. As you may or may not know, Rob has collaborated with Paul Smith, Liberty, Fortnum and Mason and Tatty Devine, amongst others. But this particular project is a story about a prince.

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Multiple open pages from Rob Ryan's The Invisible Kingdom showing intricate paper-cut illustrations with architectural designs, silhouettes and decorative patterns in red, yellow and black

He lived in a palace that seemed to have been specially designed to make someone who already felt small feel even smaller. He rarely saw his parents, who were always busy being the King and Queen; and, unlike other children, the Prince never spent time dreaming about what he would be when he grew up because he knew that when his father died, he would become King. It was his destiny. The only person who treated the Prince like a normal child was the Bootman. Understanding that everyone needs something to call their own, the Bootman gave the Prince a pen with invisible ink and a special torch that allowed him to create a world that only he could see.

One night, as the Prince was drawing on the curtains that surrounded his bed, he noticed a small hole and beyond that a trapdoor, which led to the attic. And in the attic he found a window and a way to sneak out of the palace and experience the real world...

'The Invisible Kingdom' is about a small boy, a big imagination and learning to be your own person. Available to buy via Random House. And all coinciding with the launch of a new exhibition called 'There is Only Time', taking place at the Sims Reed Gallery in London.

Rob Ryan's The Invisible Kingdom book displayed open showing paper-cut illustrations and pages, alongside the closed book and decorative case with burgundy leather spine
A silhouetted figure climbs a grand staircase flanked by ornate walls displaying framed portraits, illustrating a scene from Rob Ryan's papercut artwork for The Invisible Kingdom
Rob Ryan's intricately paper-cut illustration of a palace cross-section showing silhouetted figures engaged in various activities across multiple rooms and levels, framed by decorative blue borders with yellow text panels
Blue and purple paper-cut illustration showing silhouettes of ornate boots with text overlay, from Rob Ryan's The Invisible Kingdom book
Illustration showing silhouettes of children on swings and ropes on the left, and on the right a profile silhouette of a boy's head with a grand palace and manicured gardens visible inside it
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