Secrets of the Sea

A Way to the Stars

The Colour of the Sun

Kit's Wilderness

The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean

My Dad's a Birdman

Slog's Dad

The Tale of Angelino Brown

In fiction, real worlds merge with dreamed worlds. Real people walk with ghosts and figments. Earthly truth goes hand in hand with watery lies…

May Malone is said to have a monster in her house, but what Norman finds there may just be the angel he needs. Joe Quinn’s house is noisy with poltergeists, or could it be Davie’s raging causing the disturbance? Fragile Annie learns the truth about herself in a photograph taken by a traveling man near the sea. Set in the northern English Tyneside country of the author’s childhood, these eight short stories evoke gritty realities and ineffable longings, experiences both ordinary and magical.

In brief autobiographical preludes, master storyteller David Almond speaks to his own inspiration and shows how all things can be turned into tales, reflecting on a time of wonder, tenderness, and joy.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Secrets of the Sea

Eleanor Taylor, Kate Baker, 2017

A Way to the Stars

David Almond, 2023

The Colour of the Sun

David Almond, 2018

Kit's Wilderness

David Almond, 1999

The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean

David Almond, 2011

My Dad's a Birdman

David Almond, Polly Dunbar, 2007

Slog's Dad

David Almond, Dave McKean, 2010

The Tale of Angelino Brown

Alex T. Smith, David Almond, 2017