Paul O. Zelinsky, born on February 13, 1954, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American author and illustrator known for his distinctive artistic style. With a background in fine arts, he has received numerous awards for his work in children's literature. Zelinsky's imaginative illustrations and storytelling have made him a beloved figure in the world of children's books.
Although an orphan, Earwig has always enjoyed living at St. Morwald's, where she manages to make everyone do her bidding, but when she is taken in by a foster parents who are actually a witch and a demon, she has a hard time trying to turn the situation to her advantage.
A retelling of a folktale in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is kept imprisoned in a lonely tower by a sorceress. Includes a note on the origins of the story.
Six stories relate further adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys, as they encounter a fearsome (possible) shark, enjoy a dance party, and deal with rejection by The Girl, who is growing up.
When a little girl gets a plush stingray for her birthday, it makes friends with some of her other toys as they all try to navigate in the world of real people.