Link to some of Victoria's published watercolours

Magic in Valdovar is the first of three hardback books from the “King and Wizard Stories” published by Marius Press. These books are wonderfully written by Neil Johnson, who had once made these stories up whilst reading to his children at bedtime. The manuscripts were left in a bottom draw for over twenty-five years. That was until his grandchildren came to sleep over and he decided to read them a bedtime story.

The stories are set long ago, in the far off land of Valdovar (which doesn’t appear on any map or atlas). King Ferdinand the Thirteenth rules the country but in the day-to-day of running this magical place a series of tricky problems occur. The only way the King can think of settling theses problems are with the help of the Wizard who lives in the Wood of Wishing. The Wizard, however, doesn’t give a straightforward solution to the king’s problems but does solve them in a round about way, never the less. The two other books “Dreams of Valdovar” and “Wonders of Valdovar” will complete the set (unless the King has more problems to solve).

This book has been written for both children and adults, as reading to children is one of the most important things a parent can do, so Neil has written these series of books “The King and Wizard Stories” with this in mind. Some children’s books leave the reader bored and unenthusiastic, which can also spill over to the listener. Instead, all three books are written in a way that gives the storyteller an interesting enough story to excite any children’s imagination leaving them to sleep with many pictures in their mind of the magical yet mythical land of Valdovar. Then, at breakfast you could talk about the underlying, yet, hidden moral from the story.

There is a free musical CD. to accompany this book specially composed and orchestrated by Stewart Warren, which can be enjoyed alone or in conjunction with the stories.

Awards

The third book from the set "Wonders of Vàldovar" has been awarded a Bronze at the prestigious Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2008. The book was entered into section 12. Pre-Teen Fiction – Intermediate/Middle Grade.

http://www.kingandwizard.com/