Mysterious Traveller

LoveReading4Kids Says

Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014  A moving and brilliantly researched story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge from the creators of the award-winning Cloud Tea Monkeys, Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham and, stunningly illustrated by P.J. Lynch. It is a mesmerizing and touching tale, illustrating the bond between a child and the man who brought her up like a daughter. Both deliciously exotic and yet portraying warmly familiar and universal truths.

Authors' Note:

This story is set in an imaginary place, but it came about because Elspeth became fascinated by that fabulous and faraway place called Timbuktu.  It's an African country now called Mali, and it's where, long ago, traders bringing salt from the north met traders bringing gold from the south.  We began to read and think about those traders, those travellers with their camel caravans, making those long, difficult journeys through mountains and deserts.  Their lives, and their livelihoods, depended upon the guides who led them through these dangerous places.  When we discovered that one of the most famous of these guides was blind it set our imaginations racing.

LoveReading4Kids

About Mysterious Traveller

Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 This tale begins with a disgruntled camel, desperately trying to protect a little baby from a violent desert storm whipping up all around him. He is rescued by Issa - the desert guide - who takes the child in, naming her Mariama. She becomes Issa's family and, as he begins to lose his sight, his eyes. Many years later, a mysterious stranger arrives at their doorstep, a stranger who will change both their lives forever...

Read the full description

Find This Book In