Under the bloody rule of King Arthur as the cruel knights of the round table wage wars and hunt magical creatures the ordinary people of Camelot are getting sick. Really sick. Something is poisoning the land. No one in Arthur's court seems to care, but a spark of hope remains... The Holy Grail could save them all, and two children embark on a quest to find it.
Shy, gentle Roan, a young dog keeper who works for the knights, is desperate to find a cure for his mum. He befriends Elva, a generous and outspoken kitchenhand with her own reasons for seeking the elusive Grail. Together, can they beat the knights to find it? And will drinking from it save Roans mum? Beautifully illustrated by Reena Makwana.
Arvustused
The writing style is sharp and accessible, often feeling like an oral storytelling session, as befits the authors experience as a poet. Roans vulnerability and Elvas strength nicely flip the traditional gender roles that are often found in historical fiction, giving young readers a pair of well-rounded and identifiable protagonists to root for. A charming tale of friendship and bravery that will appeal to fans of Kate DiCamillo and Eva Ibbotson. -- Melanie Dillon "Funny, thought-provoking and intensely satisfying." -- Imogen Russell Williams 4/5 - "Folklore has been a frequent theme in Pollards poetry, and she writes with the precision of someone thoroughly at home in her milieu The plot moves briskly, and the engaging, chatty prose will find much appeal with younger readers." -- Emily Bearn
Muu info
Long-listed for Branford Boase Award 2025 (UK).Arthurian legends re-examined and turned on their head.
Clare Pollard has published five collections of poetry with Bloodaxe, most recently Incarnation and a pamphlet The Lives of the Female Poets, published by Bad Betty Press. Her poem 'Pollen' was nominated for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2022. She has been involved in numerous translation projects, including translating Ovids Heroines, which she toured as a one-woman show. Clare has also written a play, The Weather, that premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and a non-fiction title, Fierce Bad Rabbits: The Tales Behind Children's Picture Books. Her debut adult novel Delphi was published in 2022. The Untameables is her first book for children. Reena Makwana is a London-based illustrator who creates illustrations using drawings, embroidery and print. Her work is influenced by the city, characters, creatures, social past and present. She studied illustration at Camberwell College of Arts and has produced work for clients including Heart and Parcel, Vittles, Pit Magazine, Endeavour Agency, Lecker, Big Family Press, OOMK and At The Table. Reena has illustrated a number of titles for The Emma Press, including 'The Untameables' by Clare Pollard, 'The Fox's Wedding' by Rebecca Hurst, and 'Pilgrim' by Lisabelle Tay.
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