The Hotel Balzaar
A wise and magical story that celebrates fairytales from the internationally bestselling author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, perfect for age 8, 9, 10, 11
(Author) Kate DiCamilloAt the Hotel Balzaar, Marta's mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform and instructs her to roam as she will, but quietly - invisibly - like a mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel's wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all while dreaming of the return of her soldier father. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story - in fact, seven stories in all. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father's disappearance lie in the countess's tales?
Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo is a renowned American author best known for her novel "Because of Winn-Dixie," which won the Newbery Honor. Her writing style is marked by poignant storytelling and strong emotional depth. DiCamillo's key contributions to literature include creating unforgettable characters and exploring themes of friendship, loss, and resilience.