This is a spectacular book ... it is part social history, part mystery and part haunting love story ... A quiet, heart-soaring triumph The Big Issue Ray's illustrations are exquisite. A very special present for music-loving readers aged seven and above The Times Award-winner Kevin Crossley-Holland is a beautiful writer and this haunting story is simply stunning. Destined to be a future classic, it is complimented by the exquisite illustrations by Jane Ray Manchester Evening News Crossley-Holland's limpid prose matches Ray's diaphanous watercolour images perfectly, evoking 18th-century Venice in all its gaudy grandeur and bringing to life someone who would not otherwise have been even a footnote in history Financial Times A ravishing object and a touching poetic tale ... Altogether lovely The Sunday Times This is a jewel of a book carefully crafted by two experienced master storytellers who have worked together to create a memorable life affirming story based around the power of music to transform lives. The Letterpress Project Vivaldi's Four Seasons provides the background to an elegant story of a mute girl's discovery of her voice. Irish Times A lovely curiosity ... This is Kevin Crossley-Holland's take on her story, with poinant, detailed drawings by Jane Ray The Spectator This very special short novel is a work that could surely unlock poetry in the soul of the most pragmatic reader Teach Primary

Kevin Crossley-Holland (Author) Kevin Crossley-Holland won the Carnegie Medal in 1985 for Storm. His many notable books for adults and children include poetry, classic retellings and anthologies. He has written and presented many BBC radio programmes and is a frequent speaker at schools and libraries. For some years he held a university post in Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. The Seeing Stone won the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and At The Crossing-Places won a Silver award at the SWPA Spoken Word Awards. Gatty's Tale was shortlisted for the 2008 Carnegie Medal. Jane Ray (Illustrator) Jane Ray's truly exquisite artwork has gained acclaim both in the UK and internationally. She is one of the most talented and distinctive illustrators in the children's book world and regularly exhibits her work at various galleries. Jane won the Smarties Prize with The Story of Creation; The Story of Christmas was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award; and A Balloon for Grandad was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award. Jane's recent books for Orchard include the delightful and original fairy tale The Apple-Pip Princess, the heartwarming The Dolls' House Fairy and the fabulously festive Twelve Days of Christmas. Jane lives in London.