It began with a girl named Mary. She liked to daydream and imagine. And she grew up to write Frankenstein.
The inspirational true story of the great writer Mary Shelley, brought to life for children in this stunning picture book by multi-award winning author Linda Bailey and with beautiful illustrations from Júlia Sardà.
Mary loves stories, but the stories in her daydreams are far more thrilling than those in any book. After a troubled childhood, eighteen-year-old Mary runs away to Switzerland with the famous poet Percy Bysse Shelley, her step-sister in tow. One dark and stormy night at his house by the lake, they huddle around the fire, telling ghost stories. But Mary can imagine better than those! After learning about electricity that can make dead frogs twitch, she has a nightmare that triggers the birth of one of the greatest scary stories of all time: Frankenstein...
A perfect read for the very youngest aspiring writers, and for fans of Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell’s The Sleeper and the Spindle.
Praise for the illustrator: “Júlia Sardà's illustrations are dark, dream-like, detailed” THE TIMES

Prizes

Winner of SLA Information Book Award (UK).,Short-listed for CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal (UK).

This narrative non-fiction look at Mary's life promises to be a particularly atmospheric and stylish affair -- Fiona Noble * Children's Buyer's Guide *
A fascinating biography of Mary Shelley with luscious illustrations. * Irish Independent - Books of the Year 2018 *
In this wonderful tale of Mary Shelley, information is conveyed with a fittingly melodramatic touch and a visual style that borders on that of a graphic novel. * Inis Reading Guide *
Stunning... A perfect read for the very youngest aspiring writers * Askews & Holts Library Services *
Exciting and empowering... Sardà’s illustrations superbly capture the tempestuous atmosphere and environment that acted as both backdrop and catalyst to Mary Shelley’s novel. * Association of Illustrators *

Linda Bailey (Author)
Linda Bailey is the author of more than two dozen books for children, including the Stevie Diamond mystery series, the Good Times Travel Agency graphic novels, and an eclectic assortment of picture books including If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur and the acclaimed Stanley's Party. She has won many awards such as the California Young Readers' Medal, the Georgia Storybook Award, the Ontario Blue Spruce and Silver Birch Awards, the Oregon SMART Award and the Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. Born in Winnipeg, Linda has travelled the world, and so have her books. She has two grown daughters, Lia and Tess, and lives in Vancouver within strolling distance of the sea.

Júlia Sardà (Illustrator)
Júlia Sardà is an illustrator from Barcelona. After her studies, Júlia started working as colorist in a studio which made the editorial merchandising for Disney/Pixar and then moved on to freelancing two years later. Now focusing on children’s illustration, Júlia has had the chance to illustrate some incredible debut fiction and everlasting classics.