Kevin Crossley-Holland Books

New collection by favourite novelist, translator, poet.

Annie lives with her elderly parents in a remote cottage. She is used to being alone. Every day she walks by the lonely marsh to school. Only in winter, when the wind howls in the trees, is Annie ever afraid. Her sister Willa is pregnant and Annie is overjoyed when she comes home to have her baby. Annie tells Willa the names of local plants and Willa tells Annie about the ghost, murdered by highwaymen, who is said to haunt the old forge nearby. Then, on a terrible night, with the phone lines down, Willa goes into labor. Annie is terrified of the ghost, but knows she must brave the storm to fetch help. As she ventures into the night, a horseman swings into view. He offers to take Annie to town. Before she can protest, Annie finds herself lifted on to his saddle and off they set on an intense, dream-like journey. Only once he has deposited her safely on the doctor's doorstep, does the horseman reveal that he is the ghost she fears.

The ninety-six Anglo-Saxon riddles in the eleventh-century Exeter Book are poems of great charm, zest, and subtlety. This volume contains the author's translations of seventy-five riddles while a further sixteen are translated in the notes.

Kevin Crossley-Holland is a celebrated children's author and poet, recognized for his award-winning works, including the Carnegie Medal and the Smarties Prize. His stories have captivated readers globally, being translated into over 25 languages. Alongside him, Susan Varley, an acclaimed illustrator, has brought many books to life, including the timeless classic Badger's Parting Gifts, which has garnered numerous awards, such as the Mother Goose Award. Together, they create enchanting narratives that resonate with both children and adults.

An extraordinary illustrated tale, set within the dark mystery of Venice and composer Vivaldi's life, about an orphan who finds her voice and future through the healing power of music - created by two award-winning literary greats.

In a dramatic companion volume to Norse Myths, a Carnegie Medal winner revisits an ancient world of magic, mythology, and mountain trolls.Step back into a sweeping landscape of green glades and glaciers where dwarves, frost giants, and ghosts roam and where gods and goddesses work their magic for Middle Earth, sometimes crossing the great rainbow bridge to come to the aid of humans. Five gripping new tales by Kevin Crossley-Holland plumb Norse mythology as never before, while Jeffrey Alan Love's illustrations give the epic figures bold new life. Eerie, lyrical, and arresting, this must-have companion book to Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki is the ideal gift for fantasy and mythology fans as well as newcomers to Viking lore.

The story of Beowulf was written down eleven centuries ago. It is an enduring myth that has inspired storytellers in all genres from poetry to film to comic strips. Here it is retold powerfully for children with incredible illustrations from Charles Keeping.

The extraordinary Scandinavian myth cycle is one of the most enduring, exciting, dramatic and compelling of the world's great stories. A series of intertwined tales which together form a strange and fantastical world teeming with gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, battles and couplings, the Norse myths are as exciting to read as they are of vast cultural and historical importance. Taking us from the creation of the world through the building of Asgard's Wall to the final end in Ragnorak, and featuring the exploits and adventures of such legendary figures as Odin, Thor and Loki, "The Penguin Book of the Norse Myths" brings alive the passion, cruelty and heroism of these unforgettable stories.

This anthology presents a rich collection of Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose, showcasing the literary heritage of early English literature. The reissued hardback edition features a new introduction that offers fresh insights into the historical and cultural context of the works included. Readers can explore the themes, language, and artistry of this foundational period in English literature, making it an essential resource for both scholars and enthusiasts of classic literature.