About the Author

Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand and is internationally acknowledged as one of today's most outstanding children's writers. She has received the Hans Christian Andersen Award and is a two-time winner of England's Carnegie Medal, and her books have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She is also the recipient of an Order of New Zealand, the highest honour a citizen can receive. Polly Dunbar has illustrated a number of acclaimed picture books, some of which she also wrote. She lives and works in Brighton, England

Reviews

'Tremendous fun . . . This whirlwind story perfectly shows off Margaret Mahy's signature humorous and fun storytelling, fantastically enhanced by Polly Dunbar's lovely and funny illustrations.'

Selected in Charlie Higson's pick of the best books for Christmas 2012. 'A perfect book to read aloud because it has a lovely rhyme and rhythm to it.'

Mahy's fantastical rhyming wordplay and Dunbar's comic illustrations fizz with energy in this read-aloud treat.

The witty word play of Margaret Mahy and the beautiful illustrations of Polly Dunbar are married together perfectly.

Mahy' s fantastical rhyming wordplay and Dunbar' s comic illustrations fizz with energy in this read-aloud treat.

Selected by Fiona Noble in Chidren's Titles Sep-Jan 13 - 'Mahy and Dunbar join forces again for a fantastical, magical poem... .Children will be captivated by the clever, rhyming word play and exuberant illustrations.'

'The rhythmical text reads aloud beautifully and this book has everything a child needs in a book - colour, magic and glorious life.'

'Award-winning author Margaret Mahy has created a lively and magical story, which is perfectly partnered with Polly Dunbar's enchanting artwork. The text's soft rhymes gently draw the reader into a marvellous imaginative world, whilst the illustrations, with their bright colours and swooping lines, effortlessly combine exuberance with a sense of tenderness and fragility.'

Selected in Charlie Higson's pick of the best books for Christmas 2012. ' A perfect book to read aloud because it has a lovely rhyme and rhythm to it.'

'A magical, fantastical poem with its winding, jingling text, and the surreal sight of a bison in the red shoes.'

'Deserves a place under every tree in the land. Margaret Mahy' s text is a joyous delight, and Polly Dunbar' s illustrations have a freedom, a sense of life and space and comfort with colour that bring Quentin Blake' s illustrations to mind.'

'Tremendous fun . . . This whirlwind story perfectly shows off Margaret Mahy's signature humorous and fun storytelling, fantastically enhanced by Polly Dunbar's lovely and funny illustrations.'