She
looked up and saw the most amazing castle that she had ever seen.
The castle was a beautiful white colour, with the sun’s gentle
rays reflecting off it. It was floating on clouds, for clouds were
its best support in the sky. There was a golden stairway, leading
up to the front door. The stairway was at an angle and was difficult
to climb. She clambered up, holding on tightly. Eventually she reached
the top, exhausted, tired - and worried about what was in this extraordinary
place!
*
* * *
When
Cerys goes to the cupboard under the stairs, to collect her coat,
one morning, little does she suspect what awaits her there - for she
stumbles into the Land of Grace: an enchanted world, of queens, dwarfs
and princesses. Tortoises riding chickens, evil potions… and
a witch posing as a court photographer are everyday occurrences, plus
eccentric sorcerers, toy soldiers who become human and a cornucopia
of other creatures, of every size and description.
This is a highly imaginative tale, written in the third person, by
a nine-year-old schoolgirl, with herself as the main character, accompanied
by a group of school friends and family, who share her fantastic adventure.
Although Cerys is the main storyteller, guidance has been provided,
to some extent, by her English tutor, the biographer and novelist
Shirley Thompson. Designed for children of all ages, this humorous
fantasy will no doubt appeal to adults too!
Creativity is a family trait: the delightful illustrations are by
Cerys’ 16-year-old Irish cousin, Micheál (pronounced Mihall)
Doyle.
