The Nightspinners - Tapa dura

"Delicate illustrations complement a magical story." (Angels & Urchins Magazine, Winter 2003/4)

"...a sympathetic marriage between its elegant, imaginative writer and its illustrator, Mary Claire Smith." (Amanda Craig The Times, 6 Dec 03)

"...Complete with the requisite handsome Prince, this lovely story also has a refreshingly contemporary twist." (Mail on Sunday, 7 Dec 03)

"...all the ingredients of a fairy tale...The illustrations by Mary Claire Smith beautifully match the spare and magical atmosphere achieved in the writing." (School Librarian, Spring 2004)

"¿a delightful fairy tale¿to spark the imagination." (Junior Education)

Ariane the weaver lives happily in a cottage in the woods, surrounded by her friends the animals. When Queen Heartless sees a princess wearing a dress even more beautiful than her own, she orders her guards to capture Ariane so that she can weave for no one else. She is locked in a dungeon and told to weave exquisite silks for the Queen's ballgowns. Ariane is in despair - until some tiny spiders come to her rescue. They weave a web of rare and magical silk, which will help Ariane escape back to her cottage in the woods.