In this masterpiece for all ages, best-selling illustrator David McKee has created a miniature morality tale. The General leads his army into one country after another, subjugating the population and bringing them under his command; they are the Conquerors. Finally, there is just one tiny country left to invade and the General leads his men forth. But here there is no conquest. Instead the soldiers join the people and soon two countries are co-existing rather than fighting. Beautifully understated this nonetheless packs a punch.
There once was a large country that was ruled by a General. The General would take his army and attack all the countries around him until they were conquered. Eventually, there was only one small country left to conquer. However, this one did not resist but welcomed the soldiers - leading to a quite unexpected result!
This succinct and warm-hearted parable could not be bettered. - Sunday Times
David McKee is a genius... an outstanding allegory. - The Times
Author
About David McKee
David McKee (January 1935 – April 2022) was born in Devon and studied at Plymouth Art College. In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch and the Reader’s Digest.
David McKee wrote and illustrated over 50 picture books for Andersen Press and penned a number of children’s classics including King Rollo, Mr Benn, Not Now Bernard and of course, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
