Enchantment in the Garden

A classic and beautifully illustrated story about friendship by best-loved author–illustrator, Shirley Hughes.

Set in Italy in the 1920s, Enchantment in the Garden is the story of a lonely young girl called Valerie, who discovers a beautiful marble statue of a boy riding a dolphin. One magical day, the boy comes to life, and the eternal friendship between Valerie and Cherubino, the son of a sea-god, begins.

Originally published in 1996, this is a timeless tale of friendship set against a backdrop of summer sunsets, renaissance gardens, and dramatic seascapes. It carries a strong environmental message and a richness of quality that could only come from the hands of world-class author–illustrator Shirley Hughes.