Tattercoats lives in a castle, on an island, in the middle of the sea. Her mother died when she was little, her grandfather neglects her and the cooks in the kitchen are mean. But then she makes friends with a boy who flies a kite. One day an invitation from the King arrives announcing a Great Ball at which the Prince will choose a bride. Her grandfather sails off to the Palace but Tattercoats is left behind. The Kite-Boy uses his kite to fly her across the sea to the ball and her fortunes begin to change. Ages 5-11.