The king has a problem. His twelve daughters wake up every morning with their slippers in rags and tatters. Where are they going? The palace is guarded to the hilt, and the shoemakers are exhausted. The king has promised his kingdom to anyone who can solve the mystery in three days and three nights. Prince after prince fails, then a dishevelled soldier arrives at the palace door. Will he succeed? Miss Clara's dazzling artwork takes the twelve princesses shimmering and waltzing across the pages of this classic fairy tale. Ages 8+ AUTHOR: Mary Hoffman lives just outside Oxford, UK where she writes in a room with big French windows looking out onto her garden. Her first book was published in 1975 and since then, she has written over ninety books for children and teenagers, including the picture book Amazing Grace, the Stravaganza series of fantasy novels and a number of historical novels, including THE FALCONER'S KNOT and TROUBADOUR. THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES is one of her favourite fairytales. This is her first project with Barefoot Books. Miss Clara is a French artist with a gift for creating delicate and intricate illustrations. First, she creates miniature maquettes of princesses, princes, fairies, hobgoblins and other magical creatures, then she makes detailed scenes in which to photograph them. She finishes these images digitally to create the evocative and ethereal atmosphere that characterises her work. Miss Clara has also illustrated THE SNOW QUEEN.