A gorgeous 21 st century retelling of the classic story from Oscar Wilde, touchingly illustrated by the winner of the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
While staying true to the original text, the transformation of Swallow from a bird to a homeless boy, gives the moral tale more poignancy and relevance to the modern audience. The delicate and emotional drawings that enhance each page have lots of inclusive detail to pick out and which enhance the strong message of community too. The paradise that Swallow finds at the end is here on earth, rather than in heaven above, as the citizens of the community join together to create a garden that they can all enjoy. There is also a very topical political element with the community deciding to topple the statues of those who ‘just wanted to remind them of their power and authority’.
This could be an opportunity to talk about recent events and what statues signify about our society. Oscar Wilde’s story always did have a strong anti-capitalist message about society looking after the poor and needy and this version brings that more to the fore. Printed entirely in purple and with gold foiling to the cover this is a sumptuous edition that will enhance any library or home collection.
A glorious reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story masterfully adapted and illustrated by the winner of the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Swallow is a homeless boy who’s just arrived in the big city. He settles down for the night under the golden and bejewelled statue of the Happy Prince, yet when he looks up he sees the statue is weeping. What could a golden Happy Prince possibly have to feel sad about?
But from his view high above the city, the prince can see the suffering of the poor. He asks little Swallow to take his jewels and gold to the people who need them most. Can the statue and the boy find a way to bring happiness to everyone in the city?
'Illustrated in purple throughout, this is both uplifting and a warning against the excess of capitalism' - The Bookseller, Editor's Choice
Author
About Oscar Wilde
A gifted poet, playwright and wit, Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in 19th century England. He was illustrious for preaching the importance of style in life and art, and of attacking Victorian narrow mindedness.
Wilde is immortalised through his works, and the stories he wrote for children such as "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant" are still vibrant in the imagination of the public.
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