The Twilight of Magic by Hugh Lofting: It's the Middle Ages, and the quest for Giles and Anne is to use the magical Whispering Shell to save the king.
Written by Hugh Lofting. Illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. 1993, first edition thus, first printing. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
The Twilight of Magic was first published in 1930 and illustrated by Newbery-winning artist Lois Lenski. The story takes place in the Middle Ages, when magic begins to give way to science.
From the front flap:
"Giles dropped the shell upon the sand as though it had bitten him. "It's hot!" he gasped. "It suddenly grew hot."
"Don't be afraid of it," said the old woman. "Whoever carries the Whispering Shell to the one in greatest need of it shall make his fortune."
The mysterious Applewoman gives the Whispering Shell to Giles and his sister, Anne. At first they don't understand its magic. They soon discover that the one in greatest need is the young king of the realm. But how can they hope to gain an audience with the king? Resolved to try, the children embark on a series of startling adventures."
As a lieutenant in the Irish Guards during World War I, Hugh Lofting (1886-1947) was saddened by the cruel fate of animals in war, and wrote illustrated letters to his children which became The Story of Doctor Dolittle, published in 1920. He also wrote The Story of Mrs. Tubbs, Porridge Poetry, and Noisy Nora.
Tatsuro Kiuchi is an award-winning illustrator based in Tokyo. His black and white illustrations beautifully capture the light and dark of the book's magic.
Learn more about Kiuchi's work:
Ai-ap.com/publications/article/15851/illustrator-profile-tatsuro-kiuchi-keep-adding.html
Condition*: Fine/Fine.
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