A powerful and poignant story about friendship from the author of the critically acclaimed The Imaginary, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman. . Frank thought her summer couldn't get any worse. Her best friend is away, her cat has gone missing and the only person who pays her any attention is Neil Nestor - the nastiest kind of bully you can imagine. . . But then it does get worse. One afternoon, after Neil has torn up her MISSING CAT posters, and thrown her bag in an impenetrable patch of nettles, she is rescued by Nick Underbridge.
That's the last thing Frank wants to happen. No one likes Nick. He's big, he's weird and he smells. And somehow Frank has ended up in his house - and now he thinks they're friends! Frank has to make sure no one ever finds out about this, or it won't just be Neil who hates her.. . And yet, there's something nice about Nick's house. Something calming. There's this music playing that feels light and good and for the first time in forever, Frank feels happy. Why couldn't she go back to his house the next day? Why couldn't she be friends with him? Being friends with Nick might just be the best thing that has ever happened to her.. .
But there's more to Nick, and to his house, than meets the eye and soon Frank realises she isn't the only one keeping secrets. Or the only one who needs help.
About the Author
A.F. Harrold is an English poet who writes and performs for adults and children. He spends his time showing off on stage, writing poems and books, and stroking his beard (it helps churn the ideas). He is the author of the Fizzlebert Stump series and the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal longlisted The Imaginary, illustrated by Emily Gravett. He lives in Reading with a stand-up comedian and two cats. Levi Pinfold has been drawing from imagination for as long as he can remember. His published picture books are The Django, Black Dog and Greenling. Black Dog won the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2013.
Born in the Forest of Dean, he has somehow found himself living in northern NSW, Australia. He likes paintings, books, music, and some cats.
Industry Reviews
A powerful story of friendship, secrets and betrayal, it's a nuanced read with moments of great comedy, and of real darkness. Pinfold's black and white illustrations are fully integrated and ooze atmosphere, creating a haunting otherworldliness and a hint of menace. * Book of the Month, The Bookseller *
Oh, my goodness. The Song from Somewhere Else is a lovely story. Mostly it's a story of friendship and how it can be found in the most unexpected places. And also about growing up and learning that friendship is something that you can both betray and be loyal to and how you make the right choice in that. But it's also a fantasy, imagining other worlds and lives - are such things possible and can they reflect the joys and conflicts in our own, human, lives? It's beautifully told, in smooth evocative writing, with never a word wasted or out of place. Harrold's The Imaginary was illustrated by Emily Gravett, whose beautiful images perfectly complemented the story. There's the same happy marriage between wordsmith and artist here, with illustrations by Levi Pinfold. They are dark and eerie and beautiful .... I truly loved this story. * Jill Murphy, The Bookbag *
The Song From Somewhere Else is a magical tale about how - sometimes - people might feel alien to us, but that families are universal, whoever you are. Levi Pinfold's stunning, intricate and moody illustrations add an extra layer of atmosphere to this heartfelt and beautifully strange story. * Booktrust *
Levi's haunting pictures play a delicate but profound role in making A.F's words transport you off the page and into this magical world. The story was a tender tale about family and friendship and handled with just as much care as you'd hope. I loved this book. * Sisterspooky *
PRAISE FOR THE IMAGINARY: A richly visualised story which explores imaginary friends and the very special role they play in children's lives. Emily Gravett's illustrations capture the hazy world of the imaginaries brilliantly * Julia Eccleshare *
PRAISE FOR THE IMAGINARY: A moving read about loyalty and belief in the extraordinary * Guardian *
PRAISE FOR THE IMAGINARY: A delight from start to finish * Financial Times *
