Prince of the Birds

This Moorish tale of fantasy adapted from a story written by Washington Irving, charts the unfolding love between Ahmed, born in Granada, and Princess Aldegonda from Toledo. The young royal lovers are separated by mountains and protective parents but, aided and inspired by magical birds, they are finally crowned King and Queen of Granada. The narrative has more than its fair sprinkling of storybook ingredients: high towers and bewitching forests, secret caves, a magic carpet, an enchanted horse and a jousting tournament for suitors of the princess.

The tale serves as a perfect vehicle for Hall’s evocations of enchanting landscapes, fantastical creatures and humans at war and play; the exquisite details of her birds and the landscapes they occupy present a riot of colour certain to inspire children in their own painting and drawing.