Fergus is invisible, but the string that Hank uses as his leash is not. Cooper, the new boy next door, sees only the string, not the dog. He also sees the large birthmark on Hankís face. Thus begins a war between the two boys, a struggle that threatens to dissolve all hope for the friendship they both crave. The climax comes when Cooper grabs the string and tries to pull it from Hankís iron grip, snapping it in two. What follows brings the boys together without threatening Fergusís existence. In fact, Fergus ends up with a friend of his very own.

Susin Nielsen-Fernlund has written 16 episodes of the internationally-acclaimed TV series "Degrassi Junior High" and four books in the "Degrassi" line. She has also written for many award-winning children’s TV series, include "Ready or Not," "The Adventures of Shirely Holmes," and the animate series "What about Mimi." She co-created the animated pre-school series, "Franny’s Feet," and recently adapted Susan Juby’s "Alice I Think" trilogy into a TV series. The Magic Beads is Susin’s third children’s book, following the Mr. Christie’s Silver award-winner "Hank and Fergus, and Mormor Moves In." Susin Nielsen lives in Vancouver, BC.

Susin Nielsen-Fernlund's profile page

Louise-Andrée Laliberté's profile page

• Short-listed, Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee
• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily nominee
• Commended, Resource Links "The Year's Best"
• Winner, Mr. Christie's Book Award winner
• Short-listed, Blue Spruce nominee
• Commended, CCBC Our Choice

"I highly recommend this book to parents, schools and libraries. This book provides many opportunities for discussion on friendship because it covers such a range of issues. It is also a book that could be enjoyed for the simple pleasure of sharing a well-crafted story."

"The text and the illustrations are interrelated in perfect balance. They tell a story that is much greater than the two elements could purvey alone."

Resource Links

". . .a heartwarming story about overcoming stigma and finding friendship . . ."

Macleans

"Highly recommended."

". . . the writing is especially strong in its use of child-like language and subtle humour."

CM Magazine

". . .an excellent story about learning to break away from our childhood insecurities, about trusting others, and about finding our way in the world."

Canadian Book Review Annual

"Laliberte's paintings. . .cover a range that is both emotionally astute and slyly funny."

Publishers Weekly