Sylvie and the Songman

Description

A compelling story full of magic and music. Sylvie Bartram lives alone with Mr Jackson the dog and her eccentric composer father who invents strange and wonderful musical instruments. One day she returns from school to find a message left in toothpaste on the bathroom mirror; her father has been kidnapped. Later that night, the house is visited by a terrifying apparition - a half-man/half-creature who is searching for something and will not rest until he has found it . . .Sylvie uncovers an underground world of magic and evil, and with help from her friends, she must hold off a power that threatens the lives of all beings in the world. The Songman is at large, and is determined to steal music and use it for his own evil ends . . .An exhilarating and magical story that will appeal to all readers aged 9-14.

Tim Binding is an ex-editor of Picador and Penguin, and has had four highly praised adult novels published. He lives in Kent.

Binding's magical story combines the thoughts of a confused young girl and those of the animals she encounters on her journey * Daily Telegraph * The stunning pencil illustrations add immeasurably to this story. Vivid writing, unforgettable scenes and a compelling story * Carousel * A well written fantasy adventure based around the issue of dealing with the loss of a parent. Vivid, original imagery in the writing is complemented by wonderful line drawings throughout * The Bookseller * A charming and original tale, ably told * Observer * Powerful, haunting . . . Angela Barrett's delicate illustration intensifies the eerie magic. This is a classic in the making * Irish Post *