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by Karen Foxlee (Author), Freda Chiu (Illustrator)
Miss Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she's not scared of monsters. Travelling the globe with her famous archaeologist mother, Mary-Kate helps solve legendary problems in this fun fantasy adventure suitable for fans of the Travelling Bookshop or the Magnolia Moon series.
There are those who hunt monsters to harm them and there are those who hunt monsters to help them. Which one are you? Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate is accompanying her archaeologist mother to the tranquil English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realize that the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems. Mysterious noises, earth tremors and a terrifying legend have the locals frightened. Could there be any truth in the myth of the beast who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? Mary-Kate might be anxious, but she is not afraid to get to the bottom of this monstrous mystery. A delightful fantasy-adventure from the award-winning and bestselling author of Lenny's Book of Everything and Dragon Skin, with lively line illustrations by Freda Chiu. 'A deliciously thrilling mystery, full of heart, wisdom, wit and ingenuity.' Edwina Wyatt, award-winning author of The Secrets of Magnolia Moon 'Easily one of the most charming books for young readers I have come across ... A perfect balance of fun, fantasy, humor and innocence.' Katrina Nannestad, author of the Travelling Bookshop seriesAuthor Biography
Karen Foxlee is an Australian author who writes for both kids and young adults. She grew up in the Australia outback mining town Mount Isa and still frequently dreams she is walking barefoot along the dry Leichhardt River. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, Karen's first novel for children, was published internationally to much acclaim while her second novel for younger readers, A Most Magical Girl, won the Readings Children's Fiction Prize and was short-listed for the CBCA Awards. Her next book Lenny's Book of Everything won multiple awards including the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the Queensland Literary Award, the Indies Book Award, was a CBCA Honor Book and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest middle-grade novel, Dragon Skin, was short-listed for the CBCA Awards, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, the Aurealis Awards and the Indie Book Awards.
Freda Chiu is an author and illustrator from Sydney, Australia. As well as illustrating children's books, her work spans comics, editorial and retail graphics. Outside her art practice, Freda lectures in Illustration at the University of Technology Sydney. Her debut picture book, A Trip to the Hospital, was short-listed for the CBCA Award for New Illustrator and the IBBY Australia Ena Noël Award.
