Elias Martin lives a scowling, solitary life for a decade until a small, lost child wanders into his path.

One in a series of tales that explore the deeper, darker side of our connection with the natural world. Be ready to feel a little bit of magic, and perhaps a few shivers down the spine.

Books in the Shadows & Light series: 

• The White Hare
• Mother Cary's Butter Knife
• The Selkie's Mate
• Elias Martin
• Bee Boy and the Moonflowers
• The Eel Question

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include A First Book of Nature, Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale and the Silver Street Farm series. She graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats then worked in the BBC Nature History Unit. Underlying all Nicola’s writing is the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship.

Fran Shum was born in Weston-Super-Mare. She grew up with a bombardment of artistic influences, with both her parents being artists, and on a steady diet of graphic novels and Godzilla movies. She uses both traditional and digital mediums to communicate a variety of narratives and emotions within her work, specialising in artwork for bands and tattoo designs as a freelance illustrator.

'A well-written, thought-provoking tale for older and reluctant readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural.' Marie Orlando, School Library Journal

'Shum’s beautiful black and white illustrations perfectly complement Davies’s writing, especially emphasising the starkness of the harsh landscape. This is a mysterious and highly engrossing read.' Children's Books Ireland Reading Guide