From Stella Street to Amsterdam

Description

When Henni's stubborn old neighbour Willa insists on returning to her childhood home in the Netherlands for a wedding, Henni leaps at the chance to be her travelling companion. 'Lucky duck! Fantastic opportunity!' That's what everyone in Stella Street said. 'Oh boy, chance of a lifetime.' But during the long flight to Amsterdam, Willa reveals to Henni the real reason for her journey: a terrible family secret stretching back to the Second World War. As Henni makes friends with more and more of Willa's relatives, she must decide if they should know the truth. And is that the only mystery? A triumphant return to the wonderful, warm and witty world of Stella Street by the much-loved author Elizabeth Honey.

Elizabeth Honey grew up on a farm, went to Swinburne art school, had adventures abroad and a variety of jobs before becoming an illustrator, then also a writer, for children. She lives in Richmond, Melbourne in a house of books: picture books, poetry, art (Matisse particularly) and weird books. Fortunately, her retired graphic designer husband is also a bibliophile. They have two grown-up children and a granddaughter in Amsterdam. All her life Elizabeth has zoomed around on her bike - not a lycra rider, just a charging-round-the-place rider - and that vibrant bike city in the Netherlands has become an inspiration. She's also passionate about streets for people not cars, public parkland and place-making, and an abiding passion is habitat for wildlife, for the survival of our unique animals.