Martin Stewart’s Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing establishes a new series and character with energetic verve. Characterfully complemented by Santy Gutierrez’s illustrations, it’s a pacey action-packed adventure that fizzes with fun as it tells a FIN-tastic tale of stepping up to save the day!
Sandy Fin has long had the joy of living in Portwhistle Bay’s Museum of Seaside Stories with Emile du Pont, a celebrated explorer who’s been teaching Sandy and his best mate Lily everything about the magic of exploring the ocean. But devastating news comes near the start of the story, when Sandy and Lily are horrified to learn that the museum is closing down, and more: “It’s not just the museum…it’s the whole village! Half the shops on St Street Street have closed”. Worse still, a huge theme park, Splash Landing, is taking over town, set on locking Portwhistle Bay’s marine life in tanks.
And so, Sandy and Lily up their game to save Portwhistle Bay (it might just take more than wishing on a wishing whelk…) in an engaging, energetic and often madcap adventure.
Meet ocean explorer Sandy Fin, silver-scaled diver of the deep, puzzler of puzzles and hero of a new madcap middle grade series from Martin Stewart, illustrated by Santy Gutierrez.
Sandy Fin lives in the Museum of Seaside Stories with the famous explorer Emile du Pont and their collection of treasures. Sandy and his best friend Lily are being taught the art of ocean exploration by Emile, aided by his ingenious inventions.
When the museum's future is in peril, it is up to Sandy and Lily to save it. But then Albo Start arrives! Start plans to turn Portwhistle Bay into a Seaworld-style theme park named Splash Landing, locking up Portwhistle's cherished marine life in tiny tanks.
Sensing skulduggery, Sandy and Lily set out to stop Start, armed with banana sandwiches, moonlit sneezes and noses for danger.
'[A] thrilling story... a must-read for 8+ year olds' - School Reading List
Author
About Martin Stewart
Martin Stewart made his first book using Post-It notes aged eight. His work has been shortlisted for major awards and translated into multiple languages. A native of Glasgow and former secondary school English teacher, he now lives on the west coast with his wife, two children, and a very big dog.
