The Miracle Storyteller
Publisher: Luitingh-Sijthoff
On the travels of Marco Polo
Travel to the East in the footsteps of Marco Polo.
Both author and illustrator have done thorough research for this book
Genoa, 1298. Topina, a cleaner in prison, has never left her hometown. Prisoner Marco Polo, on the contrary, has travelled all over the world. People come to prison every day to hear his wonderful stories. But Marco has had enough of telling the same story over and over, so Topina secretly arranges for a fellow prisoner to write all the stories down. Marco Polo’s stories contain endless plains, mountains touching the sky and seas of pearls. But also fabulous animals, opulent palaces and the unpredictable prince Kubilai Chan. As Topina breathlessly listens to the stories, she learns about the grandeur of the world and doubts her own small existence for the first time.
Praise:
‘Lida Dijkstra wrote a wonderful book in which Pharaoh Tutankhamun, one of the world’s most famous mysteries, is skilfully set in his historical context. The stately world of ancient Egypt comes very close. The casual writing style, brilliant execution and Djenné Fila’s illustrations contribute
to making this book a joy to read.’ – Jury of the Thea Beckman Prize on Tut’s Shadow
‘The story is set over three thousand years ago, but it feels like you are there as well, and that is a masterful achievement.’ – de Volkskrant on Tut’s Shadow
