Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks - Hardcover

Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

As a correspondent for People magazine, Kate Klise covered everything from celebrity scandals to serial killers. After writing several bestselling children's books, Kate decided to write In the Bag, her first novel for adults, when she found a note from a fellow passenger in her carry-on bag.

Kate Klise and illustrator M. Sarah Klise are sisters who have been writing each other letters for more than twenty years, culminating in 1998 with their fiction debut, Regarding the Fountain. When they're not writing letters, Kate who lives in Norwood, MO, is a correspondent for People; Sarah is an art teacher that lives in Berkeley, California.

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The Dry Creek Middle School drinking fountain has sprung a leak, so principal Walter Russ dashes off a request to Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc. asking

"...We need a new drinking fountain. Please send catalog. "

Florence Waters responds:

"I'd be delighted. . . But please understand that all of my fountains are custom-made."

And so begins the hilarious chronicle, in letters, cards, transcripts, and official town documents, as collected by Mr. Sam N.'s fifth-grade class...

Flo Waters, an artist who looks everywhere for inspiration, solicits suggestions from the fifth graders-- ...a fountain big enough to splash around in; ...a glass-sided fountain with fish; . . . buttons for dispensing lemonade and root beer; and from Mr. Sam N.-- ...a hot tub and whirlpool for the teachers.

Flo is thrilled. Mr. Russ is beside himself-- . . ."We don't need a fountain like you create for palaces and hotels. Send bid as soon as possible, or sooner. "

But it's too late. The fountain project has taken on a life of its own. Flo is supplying designs from all over the world. The school board president is up in arms. So is her friend, Dee Eel, of the water-supply company. A scandal is brewing, and the fifth-grade class is researching Dry Creek's history. Something very fishy is going on...and the secrets are buried beneath the fountain and within this delightful, thoroughly original novel.