Tales of Curiosity, Sonya McArthur
Illustrations by Bevan Smith
COMING SOON
Hardback, 220pp, 248 x 185mm (Portrait)
ISBN: 978-1-0670519-6-9
Tales of Curiosity is a captivating treasury of illustrated stories for children aged 9 to 12. Set in imaginative and symbolic worlds, each tale follows unique characters as they navigate powerful emotional journeys, from confronting grief, to embracing difference, to understanding change. With lyrical prose and an old-world storytelling style, this book invites young readers to slow down, reflect, and discover new ways of seeing the world.
Perfect for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, Tales of the Otori, and traditional fables, Tales of Curiosity is a rare combination of literary depth, visual beauty, and emotional resonance.
SYNOPSIS
Nestle in and get ready to journey through a collection of eight tales, all with enchanting curiosities to discover.
Meet twin boys on different paths, a light-footed dancer, a talented thief, and a girl gifted an unusual olive twig. Encounter a river with a mind of its own, a grumpy puppet maker, a shoemaker who joins the circus, and a weaver determined to create something extraordinary.
Along the way, you’ll find yourself in places you won’t want to leave—and ones you’ll be desperate to escape.
These are tales that will keep you thinking, long after the last page is turned . . .
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
I know it’s cheesy,
To speak in a rhyme,
But I’ll make you smile,
It works every time
I grew up in Auckland, and then worked for DOC,
Went to Rotorua and learned how to plot,
I find myself drawing, I play the guitar,
And when I’m not busy I walk very far,
Enjoy this book and read at your leisure,
I certainly hope you will find it a pleasure,
A charming, and cheerful, and cheeky creation
I do hope you share this book with a relation.
—Bevan Smith, Illustrator
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writing and editing into the night
I sure do hope I got all the words right.
This book is written from my heart
Thanks to Bevan it now has art,
I’ve worked on it for many years
Through all the laughter and the tears.
It is a journey for you and me
Over valleys, mountains and the sea.
And Hokitika is my home
The coast is where I like to roam
Working as a ranger in conservation
I play the flute and I like meditation.
There are so many things I like to make
A permaculture garden that I create
Where I grow pears, plums and peas
And there are birds, plants and trees.
—Sonya McArthur, Author