The Worm in the Well - Softcover

William Mayne has been described as one of the outstanding children's authors of this century (Oxford Companion to Children's Literature). He has won all major awards including the Carnegie and Guardian fiction award. Susan Hill wrote of THE FOX GATE, his first Story Book for Hodder, 'These stories for eight-year-olds and up are jewels - the words 'timeless' and 'classic' should be used sparingly, but are justified here.' (Daily Telegraph)

CAPTAIN MING AND THE MERMAID ' . . . a subtle, sensitive novel . . . Full of pace and dramatic highlights . . . Mayne's prose, always muscular and inventive, makes an art out of brevity.' * TES PRIMARY * IMOGEN AND THE ARK 'This is a wonderful, enchanting story . . . funny and touching. IMOGEN AND THE ARK is something special.' * BOOKS FOR KEEPS * Mayne's uncompromising style - every word working to create a world layered with meaning, every phrase pleasurable for its freshness and originality. * TES Primary * This is Mayne at his best, and at his best there are few better writers for the imaginative, zany child, who delights in magic and absurdity. * The School Librarian * The most original writer for children in the land. * THE TIMES * The richness and originality of the writing makes it an enjoyable and worthwhile read. * Booktrusted News * . . . no one writes as he does. He remains a complete original, a damn-your-eyes individualist . . . never less than true to his material. * JAN MARK, TES * Mayne, at his best, is the best children's writer living. * DAILY TELEGRAPH * Mayne's uncompromising style -- every word working to create a world layered with meaning, every phrase pleasurable for its freshness and originality -- creates a narrative about metamorphosis that careers between foreboding and humour * TES Primary * Mayne writes with power and wit, creating an imaginative story with elements of horror, magic and fantasy ... an enjoyable and worthwhile read * Book Trust * There are few better writers for the imaginative, zany child, who delights in magical absurdity. * School Librarian * Unexpectedly very funny, often darkly so ... A folk tale fuelled with life * Books For Keeps *