* Somalia is always a bubbling topic because of the many asylum-seekers coming to Europe. * Gives a true picture of traditional Somalia far removed from news headlines * Author is an award-winning novelist * Author's experience of travelling through Somalia gives authenticity to the collection * Other titles in the series include A Fistful of Pearls (Iraq) and The Dragon of Krakow (Poland) *Praise for A Fistful of Pearls: Elizabeth Laird's glittering collection of folk tales!A highly unusual and welcome collection sure to be of interest to schools - Carousel

Elizabeth Laird worked in Malaysia and Ethiopia and lived in Iraq and Beirut during the civil war, before being evacuated to Vienna and finally moving to Richmond. Her best-known books include The Garbage King, set in Addis Ababa, which was shortlisted for the 2003 Carnegie Medal and Crusade, shortlisted for the 2008 Carnegie Medal. Her first novel, Red Sky in the Morning, was Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal. Kiss the Dust, which won the Children's Book Award in 1992 and the Dutch Royal Geographical Society Glass Globe Award, is also set in Iraq and Iran. She lives in Richmond-upon-Thames, London. To visit Elizabeth Laird's website click here Shelley Fowles was born in South Africa. Her books include The Bachelor and the Bean, winner of the U.S. Maron Vannett Ridgway Honor Book Award 2004. She lives in east London.