About the Author

Sam Gayton grew up in Kent with a cat called Archibald, a dog called Ruby, a bunch of humans, and a ghost called Kevin. He spent his days playing with Lego, and making comics with his friend Loo Loo. Nowadays, Sam still loves Lego and comics. But he also loves drinking tea (milk, no sugar), eating pizza (pepperoni, extra cheese), and wondering how long he would survive a zombie apocalypse (probably about fourteen minutes).

Poly Bernatene was born in 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been drawing ever since. He graduated from Buenos Aires's art school, where he developed a great interest in managing different techniques in his work, which has always been based on experimentation and diversity. Poly's work is constantly changing and developing as he looked for new ways to tell stories. He has worked in advertisement, animation, and comics. During the last fifteen years, he established an exciting career as a professional illustrator, having published more than sixty children's books in eleven countries.

Reviews

A germ of J.K. and a pinch of Pullman.-- "TES"

Full of fairy-tale and fun, which should appeal to Lemony Snicket fans.-- "The Daily Mail"

Hand this title to fans of Roald Dahl.-- "School Library Journal"

This British import combines familiar fantasy elements and quirky details to create a tale filled with transformation and danger...Gayton uses fanciful language that adds to the fairy-tale feel while also painting fiercely frightening portraits of his various villains.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

What ensues is a magical adventure over sea, into icebergs, and around a whaling ship, reminiscent of Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll... This nonsensical and fantastical novel explores the ideas of family, sacrifice, and friendship, while celebrating the imagination.--Booklist