King of the Sky

A breathtaking new picture book by children's author Nicola Davies, illustrated by Laura Carlin, winner of the Bratislava Illustration Biennale and the Bologna Ragazzi Prize for Illustration. Starting a new life in a new country, a young boy feels lost and alone until he meets an old man who keeps racing pigeons. Together they pin their hopes on a race across Europe and the special bird they believe can win it: King of the Sky. Nicola Davies' beautiful story an immigrant's tale with a powerful resonance in our troubled times is illustrated by an artist who makes the world anew with every picture. A musical adaptation of King of the Sky has already met with success on the stage, shown two years running at the Hay Festival and due to tour Welsh theatres next spring.

“There’s much here to resonate with current world events and it’s one of the most visually stunning books of the year. Carlin’s artwork is mesmerising, with beautiful use of colour to represent hope and warmth.” The Bookseller
“In a story full of hope against adversity, King of the Sky tells how flying a homing pigeon helps a young boy comes to terms with his life in a strange country far, far from home.” Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading
“Most of the world doesn’t have to think twice when asked where they’re from or where home is; some children have to think harder about the answer. Davies recognises this – her sensitive, uplifting tale about find your place in a new strange new land could just as well be about a refugee as it could any child moving to a new town.” The Times, Children’s Book of the Week
“A melancholy but uplifting meditation on migration […] Laura Carlin’s blurry, Lowry-esque illustrations capture the sensitive power of Davies’s text.” Financial Times
“[…] works well as both a stand-alone story and a starting point for discussing important political issues of migration.” The Irish Times Weekend, a Children’s Book of the Month

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include A First Book of Nature, Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale, Dolphin Baby, Bat Loves the Night and the Silver Street Farm series. She graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats and then worked for the BBC Natural History Unit. Nicola lives in Crickhowell, Wales. Visit Nicola as www.nicola-davies.com.

Laura Carlin is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and the winner of several awards, including the V&A Book Illustration Award. Her work has featured in Vogue, the Guardian and The New York Times; her previous books for Walker include The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, which was awarded an honourable mention in the Bologna Ragazzi Award fiction category. Laura lives in London, SE23. See Laura's work at lauracarlin.blogspot.co.uk.

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