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Awarded for our work helping families raise children who thrive beyond screens.
An Independent Children's Book Imprint

Illustrated adventures about forgotten inventions that changed our world.

The Bright Star Bazaar publishes children's books about everyday things history left behind. Inventions that once changed the world, retold as magical stories for young readers.

Every object has a story. Every invention changed the world. Every child deserves to discover both.

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Goodreads4.9 · 10 ratingsThe Magical Manacles — cover

Book I · Details

Format
Hardcover · 34 pages
Ages
5–10
Publication
5 September 2026
In retail
5 October 2026
ISBN
978-1-0667245-0-5
Praised by The Sunday Times
The Magical Manacles — back cover
Back Cover
The Magical Manacles — cover and interior spread
Cover and interior spread
Peek Inside — see the interior spreads
Book IOut Now

The Magical Manacles

What a beautiful day it is! Our silvery hearts are very happy you noticed us. People call us manacles. We were used in the olden days to make sure naughty thieves could not escape when they were caught by the police.

We are made to be strong, indestructible, and designed never to be taken apart.

For centuries, we tied people's hands together.

That is, until we belonged to a bright star like yourself, called Erik Weisz. We would love to tell you more about Erik and how he became the greatest magician who ever lived.

Illustrated by Bianca Tulea

The Tiny Typewriter — cover

Book II · Details

Format
Hardcover · 34 pages
Ages
5–10
In retail
28 October 2026
ISBN
978-1-0667245-1-2
The Tiny Typewriter — printed edition mockup
The printed edition
Book IIIn the works — Pre-sales in October 2026

The Tiny Typewriter

Such a ticking pleasure to meet you. People call me a typewriter.

I am the great-grandmother of the tablet or laptop that you are likely more familiar with.

I love words and the people who use me to write them.

I don't mean to brag, but I once belonged to one of the greatest mystery writers this world has ever known. Together, we wrote books that people still read and love today.

Her name was Agatha, and I would love to type out her story for you…

Illustrated by Bianca Tulea

The Golden Apple — cover

Book III · Details

Format
Hardcover · 34 pages
Ages
5–10
Pre-sales
November 2026
ISBN
978-1-0667245-2-9
The Golden Apple — printed edition mockup
The printed edition
Book IIIIn the works — Pre-sales in November 2026

The Golden Apple

Did you know that I am the most written-about piece of fruit in human history?

My fellow apples are known for all the vitamins they hold, but my story is a little different.

Once, I was a normal apple that belonged to someone named Isaac.

But then…

Here is our story.

Illustrated by Bianca Tulea

Peek Inside

A look inside The Magical Manacles.

Every spread is hand-illustrated by Bianca Tulea. Click any image to open it full size.

Front cover
Back cover
Cover and interior spread
The manacles introduce themselves
Harry and Bess take the stage
A letter from Sami, the shopkeeper

Available from leading booksellers in the UK and internationally.

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Something is coming

Our first three stories in one bright little kit.

We are quietly putting together a Bright Star Bazaar kit — the three hardcovers gathered as one keepsake collection for the shelf, the gift table, the bedtime ritual.

The three Bright Star Bazaar hardcovers — The Magical Manacles, The Tiny Typewriter, and The Golden Apple — laid out together
The Bright Star Kit · Coming soon
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Aldo de Pape sitting on the stairs talking with his young daughter
Why We Exist

The world is racing toward AI. These books are about taking pause.

I have spent years building companies at the intersection of education, biotechnology and artificial intelligence — work that I am proud of and that will hopefully push us forward into the future.

But at the same time I also believe children deserve to know what came before AI and the screen that comes along with it. The Bright Star Bazaar is my way of helping families slow down, and honour the humble inventions that once changed the world.

— Aldo de Pape, Founder

Visit Aldo's Amazon Author PageRead Aldo's Substack
Our work in Education has been featured in
ForbesFinancial TimesTechCrunchThe Guardian
Praise for the Author

Words from Readers

Early readers of The Magical Manacles — and of Aldo de Pape's earlier book, I Am…! — have shared their thoughts. Here is what a few of them had to say.

Just read the book. Inspiring, educational with incredible illustrations that fit very well with the story. Very clever build-up! Highly recommend for teaching purposes as well.
Marleen Biesheuvel Skinner
Primary School teacher, UK
On The Magical Manacles

A fun and engaging story that sparked some interesting questions about changing times.

The kids and I are looking forward to the next one already.

Alistair Nicol
Parent of two (ages 7 and 5), UK
On The Magical Manacles

I read this with my 7 year-old son who loves history.

We both really enjoyed it and the illustrations captured the story brilliantly. Look forward to the next one!

Clara
Parent of a 7-year-old, UK
On The Magical Manacles
What a beautiful book. It takes a true figure from history — Harry Houdini — and gives some information about him and his life in an accessible way for children. I hope to read more of the books in this series as they are released.
Cathy
UK
On The Magical Manacles

Me and my daughter loved the book. It was exciting, interesting and educational.

She was delighted when she realised at the end it was based on a real person and we both loved the beautiful illustrations.

Rory Kennedy
Parent, UK
On The Magical Manacles

Praise for Aldo’s earlier work

All around our world there are young people facing difficult and sometimes terrifying situations. Some live in fear for their lives and those of family and friends. Aldo de Pape's book, I Am…, opens a window onto some of their lives and helps us to understand the courage and strength and hope that they carry in the face of adversity. This book will open the eyes of many people to the problems faced by these children and hopefully touch their hearts so that they will reach out to these and other young people. I urge you to read this book, share it with friends and help…
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE (1934 – 2025)
Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute · UN Messenger of Peace
Aldo de Pape — I Am…! book cover
On I Am…!Buy on Amazon →
Thank you for trying to inspire people all over the world through the children.
Dr. Patch Adams, MD
Founder, the Gesundheit! Institute
Aldo de Pape — I Am…! book cover
On I Am…!Buy on Amazon →
Events

Meet us at the Bazaar.

Story readings and appearances — come along, listen in and say hello.

Poster for the free kids book reading by Aldo de Pape at Inchgarth Community Centre, Aberdeen
Free entry

Halloween Book Reading

Aldo de Pape reads from the first two books in the collection — a Halloween session for young listeners.

When
Wednesday 28th October, 4–6pm
Where
Inchgarth Community Centre, Aberdeen
Ages
5–10 years

Drop-in session — children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the Press

The press on the Bazaar.

Reviews and features on our books, from the critics, magazines and newsletters we admire.

#NewIllustrationoftheDay
Tulea’s quirky, decorative detail makes this terrifying scenario look circusy and fun.
Nicolette Jones
Children’s Book Editor, The Sunday Times
October 2026
View on Instagram
A wonderfully different way into history. The books give these remarkable historical objects their own personalities and voices, making them feel like characters children can get to know and root for.
Round & About Magazine
Berkshire · Buckinghamshire · Hampshire · Oxfordshire · Surrey · Wiltshire
September 2026
Read the feature
“Seeing Magic” — Armadillo’s newsletter
I think this might be the first time I’ve ever read a book whose story is narrated by a pair of handcuffs. If you think that sounds very odd, you’d be right, but you will likely, like me, also be surprised at how much they can tell us. These handcuffs are ready to share with us the story of cuffs, or manacles as they are also known, and how they’ve been used through the centuries. Are you going to be their captive audience?
Armadillo Magazine
The children’s book magazine — review of The Magical Manacles
September 2026
Visit Armadillo
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