Description

An achingly beautiful, timeless picture book by bestselling author Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton, inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, author of The Passenger

It’s King Winter’s birthday, and he wants his party to be really special. He asks all of his brothers and sisters to be there: Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn.

But the wind and the trees whisper a warning, and as the four play magical games, something strange begins to happen outside.

Inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, written while he was interned on the Isle of Man during the Second World War, this timeless fairy tale is a celebration of nature’s rhythms, and of a chaotic world restored to balance.

Publisher Review

Captivating * Telegraph, Best Children’s Books of 2024 * This rediscovered children’s story is a lyrical delight… The combination of Freeland’s elegiac prose and Emily Sutton’s lyrical illustrations creates a thoroughly enchanting book * Telegraph * A perfect fairy story for 3 to 5s… exquisitely illustrated * New Statesman, Best Children’s Books of 2024 * Intricately beautiful… elegantly written * Guardian * King Winter’s Birthday is beautiful… thought provoking message in a festive package that you could easily read on the sofa on Christmas afternoon — Nicola Davies