Author Profile
Lisa Mantchev
8 Books
Lisa Mantchev is a writer of imaginative fiction for children and young adults. She authored the picture book Strictly No Elephants, which gently explores themes of inclusion and friendship. For older readers, she wrote the Theatre Illuminata trilogy, a fantasy series set in a magical theater where characters from every play ever written live side by side. Her body of work consistently features theatrical flair, whimsical premises, and heartfelt emotional cores.
A giraffe can be a wonderful pet and a tricky one.
The girl in this warm picture book loves her giraffe, even when their legs make walking together complicated and even when the clubhouse door at Pet Club is too small for him. The problem is not that the giraffe does not belong. The problem is that the space was not built for everyone.
The Trouble with Giraffes is a gentle companion to Strictly No Elephants, with a clear, child-friendly story about inclusion, accessibility, and friendship. As the Pet Club members work together, young readers can see how kindness means more than saying welcome. Sometimes it means changing the plan so every friend truly has a place.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Red front door. Potted plant. Umbrella stand. Piano. That is what the world looks like from inside Tiny Narwhal's fishbowl. It is not very exciting. She dreams of the world beyond: endless blue sky, tall buildings, and a long bridge. But Tiny Narwhal does not have any feet. She does not know the street names. And what if it is too cold outside? What this little narwhal does have, though, are excellent friends. With the help of her boy and his companions, including a brave penguin, a clever bat, and a tall giraffe, Tiny Narwhal might finally feel brave enough to step out into the great unknown. This charming story explores how the difference between staying home and embarking on a magnificent adventure often comes down to the loving support of good friends.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
For Lizzie, the perfect afternoon is always spent playing with her big sister, Jane. But it can be tough being the little sister. Jane is constantly busy with her own activities and play dates, leaving Lizzie feeling a bit left out. Lizzie decides to hatch the perfect plan to show Jane exactly how much she loves her. Each day of the week, Lizzie works hard sketching and planning her top secret project. She waits patiently until Saturday when she can finally reveal her grand surprise to Jane. She calls it Sister Day, a spectacular celebration of imagination, fun, and the special bond they share. This sweet and whimsical tale captures the timeless mission of a little girl determined to convince her older sister to play with her, highlighting the joy of family and togetherness.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
A typical day for Jinx and the Doom looks exactly like this: wake up, eat a good breakfast, brush your teeth, and then immediately fight crime! Jinx and her little brother, the Doom, are pretty typical kids, except when they transform into mighty superheroes. These rambunctious siblings used to fight each other all the time. But one day, they realized they could use their incredible powers for good instead of evil. Now they are on a mission to protect the planet and defend the innocent. Of course, they always make sure to stop and have lunch. This exuberant and highly relatable story celebrates the power of active imagination and the sheer joy of having a sibling to play with. Follow along as this dynamic duo turns an ordinary day into a fabulously fun comic book style adventure.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
The upstairs cats and the downstairs dogs in the tall, twisty-turny house are always kept strictly apart. Their humans assume that dogs and cats will never, ever get along. The upstairs remains a feline domain, while the downstairs is entirely ruled by the dogs. But when a rare opportunity presents itself, the boldest cat decides to peek through a door that has been accidentally left open. Will this sudden encounter lead to endless hissing, loud barking, and chaotic chasing all over the house? Or could it be the surprising start of an unexpected friendship? This funny and sweet story explores what happens when boundaries are crossed and assumptions are challenged, proving that even the most different of animals can sometimes find common ground.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Pet Club day should be exciting, but one sign changes everything: strictly no elephants.
The boy’s tiny pet elephant is gentle, loyal, and a real friend, but the club only seems ready for ordinary pets like cats, dogs, and fish. Instead of giving up, the boy meets others whose unusual animals have also been left out. Together, they begin to imagine a kinder kind of club.
Strictly No Elephants is a warm, imaginative picture book about friendship, belonging, and making room for everyone. Its sweet story and expressive illustrations help young readers understand inclusion in a simple, memorable way: true friends do not shut one another out.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
When a young boy goes out swimming and looking for fish, he discovers something truly extraordinary instead. He meets a real mermaid. She is beautiful but completely alone in the water. Wanting to help, he warmly welcomes her to his home and introduces her to his vibrant circus family. Even though she deeply misses the vast ocean, she begins to feel she has found a brand new family and a safe place to belong. This transcendent story is a breathtaking journey of friendship, empathy, and the true meaning of finding your forever home. Luminous artwork and lyrical language combine to show readers what a remarkable place the world can be when we open our hearts to unexpected connections.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
In the tall green grass, a young girl discovers an extraordinary object that grants her just one single wish. With so many possibilities, she wants to make sure she chooses perfectly. She begins asking the people around her what they would wish for if they were in her shoes, hoping for some inspiration. But nothing they suggest seems quite right for her. As she listens to their hopes and dreams, she starts to think about what it truly means to give and to share with others. What will her perfectly perfect wish turn out to be? This beautifully illustrated and heartwarming story takes the classic concept of a magic wish and uses it to explore the real world importance of empathy, kindness, and thinking of those around us.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
