Ella and Alora and the Secret Well
by Kathryn O'Dwyer

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After their extraordinary travels during their last summer vacation, sisters Ella (11) and Alora (8) cannot wait to see what other discoveries might be waiting for them when their mother takes them back to her friend’s house for a visit. It was there, on a hidden patio, that the girls had discovered a secret drain last year, with a hidden staircase that had led them to extraordinary places all over the world! But surely, such a magical experience couldn’t happen more than once. Right? Think again! After a special dinner at the home of neighbours of their mother’s friend, the sisters are given permission to go outside to play. While exploring the property, they come across an old, abandoned wishing well that seems oddly familiar, built with the same stone as the wall around the secret drain down which their previous summer’s adventure had begun. And, inside, the same magical glow! How could they resist? So begins their next adventure, taking them around the world to even more amazing places, and meeting even more interesting “guides”; from a “crying gecko” on Easter Island, to an enormous and oddly “purring” crane in China (not to mention the monkey in Cambodia, or the quiet and gentle little elephant at the Taj Mahal in India). The second book in the Extraordinary Travels of Two Sisters series, Ella and Alora and the Secret Well, is a story of adventure as entertaining as it is educational, taking its readers on a tour of some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights while showcasing the importance of understanding and inclusivity, and the need to take proper care of our wildlife, ourselves, each other, and the wider world around us.

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Reader Reviews from the First Book in the Series - "I am a retired teacher, a mother and grandmother. In my life reading has always been important.......When I read this book to my grandchildren I realized I was smiling and felt warm and happy. Then as I sat thinking about it, my teacher mind began to think of all the lessons that are found in this story. This is a perfect book for young readers...." "My daughters love this novel! They can't wait to read about their next adventure!" "I bought this book for my granddaughter who is 10 and loves to read. Before giving it to her, I decided to read it myself. I really enjoyed this book. Not only is it engaging throughout, but it also provided a lot of knowledge about counties around the world. Highly recommend for both children and those young at heart." "My children loved this book, my sons favourite chapter was where Ella and Alora met Spit and the girls loved when they visit New-swan-stein (Neuschwanstein). They could picture every place and were excited to be part of the adventure....They keep asking for the next book in the sister's travels......"

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Author Kathryn O’Dwyer lives in a small town on a lovely piece of property with lots of gardens and room to wander. With a B.Ed. and an Hon.BA in English and Art History, and a Specialist Certificate in English Language and Literature, Kathryn has found joy in retirement by pairing her love of literature, adventures and children of all ages, to write the children’s novel series, ‘The Extraordinary Travels of Two Sisters’. As an avid reader, who has been able to travel widely with her family on extraordinary adventures, Kathryn hopes that these stories—inspired by a visit from the real-life Ella and Alora and their older sister, Lily, will inspire young readers to be curious about other cultures and respectful of them in their own travels.

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Contributors

Author

Kathryn O'Dwyer

Illustrator

Sasha Baines