The longest shot ever

[mynx]

This really is a long shot but I remember reading a childrens book about 15 years ago. I can't remember what it was called. I only remember a few details which are:- ~The cover was a light blue/green colour with a face or eye on the front. ~It had a boy as the main character (that was possibly called edward or edmund) that got ill with something that made him deaf. ~He received marbles for his birthday which connected him to the other character who had something to do with the garden. ~This character was not human. I remember it being slightly on the strange side. I have scoured the internet with these tidbits of information and I work for a bookstore so know my way around publishers and archives but ths is beyond me. I know the only way I'll ever find this book is if I stumble upon someone else that's read it. Has anyone read it?

[Ericbwa]

I know it isn't the same book, but I read two lovely books as a child by Catherine Storr called "Marianne dreams" and "Marianne & Mark". Your story sounds quite similar so perhaps it's the same author. Good luck!