Stretch was not like other people She could stretch her body taller than the tallest tree People didn't trust her because she was different That's why she lived in the forest

Swallow could eat more food than anyone The villagers made fun of her because she was short and fat That's why she left town

Stare's eyes were so strong they could burn through anything she looked at Everyone was afraid of her That's why she stayed alone

And then there was Ira - small, skinny, and short-sighted - with nobody in the world to help him search for his missing sister

Somehow these four unlikely characters come together and overcome all obstacles - even the most evil magic in the land

Veronika Martenova Charles has drawn upon an old Czech fairy tale to create her own contemporary story about the strength of friendship and the value of being different

Veronika Martenova Charles was born behind the Iron Curtain in Prague, Czechosloavakia As a teenager Veronika formed a pop act with a friend and learned to sing Western rock and roll On a return trip from a tour in Cuba she stepped from her plane as it refueled in Gander, Newfoundland, and decided to stay in Canada Since 1991 Veronika has been writing and illustrating children's books full-time She is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books include: Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls; Stretch, Swallow, and Stare; The Crane Girl; and The Birdman Veronika has studied at Ryerson University, the Ontario College or Art and Design, and recently completed her graduate studies in Folklore at York University Veronika Martenova Charles lives in Toronto

A native of Montreal, Annouchka Gravel Galouchko has lived in Iran, Egypt, Mexico, and Austria Winner of a Governor General's Award for illustration and nominee for French language text (Sho et les dragons d'eau), she has exhibited her paintings widely

Annouchka's partner, Stephan Daigle, is an internationally known painter and illustrator of books, magazines, and corporate images He, too, was born in Montreal The couple's collaboration on The Birdman has resulted in an exceptional blend of color and design, along with depth and symbolism that belie its prettiness Stephan and Annouchka live in Quebec with their eight-year-old son, Sacha

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