King Alfred and the Ice Coffin

Most KS2 children find themselves learning about the Anglo-Saxon period at some point, usually in years 5 and 6, and there are a fair few books (fiction and non-fiction teachers can turn to for study material. But this handsome illustrated story from a celebrated, award-wining dream-team author/illustrator duo is certainly a very welcome addition to the field. Kevin Crossley-Holland is of course an acknowledged expert on the period as well as being a pretty hot-shot poet and storyteller, and Chris Riddell is, well… Chris Riddell, illustrator supreme. The story features Alfred the Great, the best-known Anglo-Saxon king, and is a wonderfully strange tale told to him by a Viking traveller to the far and frozen north, a fascinating glimpse into the world of the time, told in Kevin Crossley-Holland’s trademark lyrical, limpid prose. And the illustrations are simply sublime – full-page and double-page spread images of the period that are beautiful in themselves, but also a glorious set of visuals for any child learning about the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. Terrific design and production from the publisher too. One not to be missed.