David Almond is the acclaimed author of many award-winning
novels for children such as Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and My Name
Is Mina, and has more recently collaborated with artists Polly
Dunbar, Dave McKean and Oliver Jeffers on fiction for younger
readers. David's books sell all over the world, and in 2011 he was
the recipient of the auspicious Hans Christian Andersen Award. He
lives in Hexham, Northumberland; for more info visit
www.davidalmond.com
Eleanor Taylor studied illustration at Norwich School of Art and
Design, then communication art and design at the Royal College of
Art; while studying she won the Sheila Robinson Drawing Prize and
was shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize. Eleanor uses a
variety of different methods, combining paint, charcoal, ink,
collage and digital techniques. She lives in Hastings; for more
info visit www.eleanortaylor.co.uk
This coming of age collections of stories inspired by Almond’s
childhood in the north east, which of course is so prevalent
through his work.
*The Bookseller*
The work of a writer of great power, and a living insight for
teenage readers into the power of imagination and the way that
stories grow from seed to fruit
*The School Librarian*
The autobiographical notes are stories in themselves, encouraging
young writers in their reminder that we all have the material for
fiction a short memory away. . . As well as the living roots of the
stories, the prefaces reveal where, how or why Almond wrote them,
and that some have seen many drafts and may never be finished: more
encouragement.
*Observer*
If anything will encourage teenagers to start writing, it is this
superb masterclass in how setting, dialogue and character can
convey powerful emotions in a few words.
*Daily Mail*
A powerful collection of stories, interleaved by Almond’s memories
of the places he grew up in. It’s a meditation on the power of
stories . . . extraordinary dreamy atmosphere and lyrical evocation
of life by the sea.
*Children’s Books Ireland Recommended Read*
An absolute treat . . . he writes sparingly and beautifully. . .
fiction to treasure
*Books for Keeps*
The tale-behind-the-tale preludes are intriguing—perhaps especially
to big fans and those interested in the writing process—but the
stories themselves shine brightest here. Taylor's illustrations,
sometimes cartoonish, sometimes more abstract and moody, cast the
Almondine experience in yet another new light. This is powerful,
top-notch storytelling from Almond, who seems himself to be the
titular "half a creature from the sea," in that he, as ever,
fluidly blends past and future, the living and the dead, the
ordinary and the transcendent.
*Kirkus Reviews*
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