A stunning gift book drawing together legendary poems - classic and contemporary - from around the world, compiled by bestselling anthologist Ana Sampson and illustrated throughout in black and white by award-winning former children's laureate Chris Riddell.
Folklore and tales have been the lifeblood of every culture worldwide since the beginning of time. Similarly, legends have traversed this passage, believed to have a speck of truth nestled at their heart. Heroes and Villains pays homage to the glittering royal courts and journey through ancient landscapes and perilous voyages, meeting Arthur and Guinevere, the Queen of Sheba, Kubla Khan, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc, and Mulan along the way.
In this poetry collection you will also meet mythical beings such as the phoenix, yeti, dragon and kraken, as we witness them leap from travellers' tales and compendiums into the world of verse.
Ana Sampson is the author of many best-selling anthologies including I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and Other Poems You Half-Remember from School, Tyger Tyger Burning Bright: Much Loved Poems you Half-Remember, Poems to Learn by Heart, Green and Pleasant Land: Best-Loved Poems of the British Countryside, Best-Loved Poems: A Treasury of Verse, and Wonder: The Natural History Poetry Collection.
Ana grew up in Kent and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield. After achieving both a BA and an MA, she began a career in publishing PR and has appeared multiple time on radio and television discussing books and poetry. She lives in London with her her husband, young daughter and two cats.
She is Fierce is her first poetry collection for Macmillan.
