Lucy Willow - Hardcover

Sally Gardner trained at art college and went on to work in the theatre, winning awards for her costume designs for some notable productions. After her twin daughters and her son were born she started to illustrate children's books, and then turned to writing. She lives in North London.

'a charming and funny tale of a girl with green fingers. Slightly longer than the other books in the hugely successful Magical Children series, it's enormous fun and features some wonderful 'Dahl-esque' baddies.' -- Angela Lockton THE BOOKSELLER 'very funny... would appeal to young girls.' -- Victoria March BERTRAM'S BUYERS GUIDE 'An imaginative story about a girl whose home is a railway carriage.' UNDERCOVER (HEYWOOD HILL BOOKSHOP) 'What a wonderful school-holiday family film or children's serial Lucy Willow would make... It is a mark of the assured matter-of-fact tone throughout that that reader is perfectly willing to suspend disbelief and accept that the famliy have to attune their comings and goings to the train timetable.' -- Michael Thorn TES 'lots of plotting, action and adventure mixed with plenty of laughs and a touch of magic in this compelling story.' -- Debbie Williams PRIMARY TIMES 'a fabulous new read for five to eight year olds vrom the talented author of I, Coriander' -- Margaret Niewiadomska SUFFOLK FREE PRESS 'a gem among novels for 7-9s this year... its strength is astute comic writing.' -- Nicolette Jones THE SUNDAY TIMES 'another great girlie book' -- Georgia Metcalfe DAILY MAIL 'It is the understated beauty, liveliness and interest i nteh curious that makes Gardner's fiction toasty-warm, satisfyingly familiar and yet at once extraordinary. They feel to be fairy-tales etched out of the modern day and are augmented admirably by Peter Bailey's sparsely expressive illustrations. An achievement indeed.' -- Jake Hope ACHUKA 'A great read. In 29 short chapters we escape to a world saved by a triumphant young horticulturalist and her eccentric and likeable family. Bailey's simple sketch illustrations, lightly sprinkled throughout the book, help to depict the rich array of characters.' -- Andrew Kidd BOOKS FOR KEEPS 'This is charming... young readers are swept along with Lucy and her new friends. Easily understood illustrations add momentum to this rollicking tale which is straightforward and simply told.' -- Louise Stothard CAROUSEL 'a delightful story, full of juicy characters... the warm style -- Debbie Thomas INIS (IRELAND) 'lively and intriguing... A rollicking read, with lots of twists and turns that will thrill younger readers.' -- Karen Miller JUNIOR EDUCATION 'an enchanting children's story that is a pleasure to read.' -- John Millen SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST