New York: Scholastic -The Chicken House, (2003.) dj. SIGNED hardcover first edition - The first book in the innovative fantasy trilogy from the award-winning author of 'The Thief Lord' in the true first US printing with the original price of $19.95 on the dustjacket, and all of the other correct points. SIGNED on the title page by Funke. A tale of magic and adventure about a young girl living with her book-binder father (and with her 'bookworm' - book collecting - great aunt) who has the magical power to bring characters from books to life by reading them aloud. Translated from the German by Anthea Bell. Illustrated with drawings at the tail of each chapter. A lovely book in an unusual wide format. Cover illustration by Carol Lawson. 534 pp. ISBN: 0-439-531640.