The Magic Paintbrush (HB) - Tapa dura

With her magic paintbrush, Shen can paint steaming pots full of fish and oysters to feed the hungry people in her village. When the evil emperor commands Shen to paint gold for him, she is determined to keep her promise to paint only for the poor. Julia Donaldson's vibrant verse brings fresh life to a traditional tale of how a little girl's integrity can withstand the corruption of power and greed.

Julia Donaldson is one of the country's foremost children's writers. Her many books for Macmillan include the award-winning THE GRUFFALO (0 333 71093 2), ROOM ON THE BROOM (0 333 90338 2) and THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE (0 333 98224 X). Julia is also much in demand for her brilliant events for children at schools, libraries and literary festivals. Joel Stewart is one of Macmillan's brightest stars. He graduated from Falmouth College of Arts with a first class degree and won the Macmillan Prize in 2000. He has illustrated the critically acclaimed UNDERWATER FARMYARD (0 333 96064 5), and the follow-up, MOON ZOO (1 4050 2050 4), both written by Carol Ann Duffy.