Almost a hundred years ago, Charles Dickens wrote The Magic Fishbone as though a little girl, aged seven, with a doll and big dreams, had told the story to him. Little girls of seven still have dolls and big dreams, and here is a modern version of a long-ago story.

From the book

Here is a new, modern version of a favorite Dickens children's classic, retold by Jean Lee Latham, well-known author of children's books and winner of a John Newbery Medal award for her book, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. The beautiful, vivid illustrations in full color by Pablo Ramirez heighten interest in the story for all boys and girls.

Written as a little girl might tell the story, The Magic Fishbone combines fantasy, realism and gentle humor that is sure to charm young readers and listeners, just as it did one hundred years ago. It tells the story of seven-year-old Princess Alice who sees her dreams come true with the help of a magic fishbone given to her by a good fairy. The magic must be used at exactly the right moment, so Princess Alice relies on her own hard work and initiative to take of her sick mother and her little brothers and sisters. Only when Alice's very, very best is not enough does she ask the magic fishbone to help, and then, as in all good fairy tales, her wishes come true and she lives happily every after.

Told especially for children of today, this charming story, expertly told in an easy-to-read style, will fascinate all young readers and listeners. Beautiful full-color illustrations accompany the text to make a distinguished children's classic.

From the dust jacket