Author of the New York Times bestselling Inkheart series, Cornelia Funke has been published in 53 languages and her books have sold over 22 million copies worldwide. Cornelia lives in Tuscany, Italy, where she regularly hosts artists from around the world. Her old olive farm provides a retreat for creatives to collaborate in surprising and amazing ways.

Tammi Hartung is an ethnobotanist and co-authored alongside Cornelia, providing integral details and knowledge about the leafy citizens of The Green Kingdom. Tammi has more than 40 years experience working with plants, and has published four other books using her botanical expertise.

Melissa Castrillon is an English and Colombian illustrator based in the United Kingdom. In 2019 she was awarded the Gold medal by the Society of illustrators in New York.

"Old riddles provide a modern girl with a summer adventure....The broad range of featured plants includes many that are likely to be familiar to readers. Co-authors Hartung, who has botanical expertise, and Funke, whose original German text was translated by Anna Schmitt Funke, add magic to the mundane, collaborating to create a realistic story that nevertheless feels wonderfully fantastical. Castrillón's delicate illustrations have an old-fashioned feel and provide marvelous atmosphere as well as effectively highlighting the various plant species." - Kirkus Reviews

"Hartung's botanical expertise matches Funke's narrative prowess, resulting in epistolary language that is natural and playful, as are the lush illustrations invitingly placed throughout...A solid purchase and easy recommendation for those who enjoy place-based mysteries with a twist." - Booklist

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2025-04-01

Length: 224 pages