The Princess who Hid in a Tree: An Anglo-Saxon Story

Description

This story is about a brave and kind Anglo-Saxon princess called Frideswide who lived in Oxford a long time ago and just happened to be brilliant at climbing very tall trees. Her talent came in useful one day when a wicked king tried to kidnap her. How did she and her friends escape, and what happened to the king and his soldiers? With stunning illustrations by award-winning artist Alan Marks, Saint Frideswide's legend is retold for young children as a tale of adventure, courage in the face of danger, friendship, and kindness, with a few surprises along the way. The church Frideswide founded in Oxford was on the site of what is now Christ Church, and her medieval shrine can still be seen inside the Cathedral. This beautiful picture book is sure to be treasured by any child who loves tales of adventure. It will appeal to children learning about the Anglo-Saxons, to readers who like feisty heroines and to visitors to Oxford, as a meaningful souvenir of their visit.

Jackie Holderness is currently the Cathedral Education Officer at Christ Church, Oxford. She has written and published a wide range of educational books and materials. Alan Marks has illustrated children's books for several decades and has been awarded the Carnegie Medal and the Smarties Prize for his work in book illustration.

'The lovely name Frideswide is a compound of two Anglo-Saxon words meaning peace (frith) and strong (swith). And these are the qualities at the heart of this most appealing retelling of the legend of the resourceful girl who outfaced danger, chose the path of peace, and worked great wonders. Alan Marks is a wonderful colourist and gives just the right amount of character and drama to his generous illustrations.' -- Kevin Crossley-Holland 'How lovely to see this rarely-told story given the chance to breathe in the warm, airy and luminous atmosphere of Alan Marks' unmistakable illustrations.' -- Geraldine McCaughrean 'Alan Marks displays, as ever, fine draughtsmanship with his enchanting watercolour illustrations which are so evocative of the time and place in Jackie Holderness's re-telling of the tale of Saint Frideswide as an exciting adventure story. Holderness skilfully interweaves historical fact and fiction into an absorbing and riveting read about the patron saint of Oxford. Her writing perceptively plays on the reader's emotions by contrasting the saint's goodness against the king's meanness and cruelty. I would highly recommend this captivating tale to any anyone from eight to eighty.' -- Korky Paul "The Princess who Hid in a Tree" is a charming re-telling of a celebrated story from Oxford's history. The beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to Frideswide's story in a fresh and immediate way. It's impossible not to cheer on a princess who decides for herself how she wishes to live her life.' -- Louise Richardson