The Kitchen Warriors
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Cover Story
On our cover this month we feature an illustration from The Swineherd, a picture book version of the Andersen fairy tale by artist Lisbeth Zwerger. (Neugebauer Press, 0 907234 127, £3.95 from A. and C. Black). We are grateful to A. and C. Black for help in using this illustration. The roundel used on the Hans Andersen pages is from the wood engraving by Gwen Raverat for Four Tales, translated by R. P. Keigwin, C.U.P. (1935). It and the Punch cartoon on page 16 appear in Brian Alderson's pamphlet Hans Christian Andersen and his Eventyr in England.
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The Kitchen Warriors
Jo Worth
I know of very few other writers who can create complex, fantastic worlds which are accessible and coherent to older infants and young juniors (I'm still thrilled and surprised when I read Kingdom Under The Sea to children). Here, easy surface text and domestic settings fold up magic, imagery and a truly poetic tale. A returning prince has to re-establish himself in his father's kingdom. My young listeners (6 to 8's) understood both the immediacy and the magical elements of kitchen cupboards and deep freezers; how well Miss Aiken links the fabulous to the ordinary. A stunning tale. The illustrations deserve sharing and showing too.