Mythological and Historical Stories

Holland, Tom and Riddell, Chris. King Alfred and the Ice Coffin
November 12, 2024 by Candlewick Studio
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In the 9th century, an explorer named Wolfstan comes to the court of King Alfred. Alfred is very interested in stories, and has spent a lot of time learning Latin so that he can translate some of the texts into a language that his people can understand. He's intrigued by Wolfstan's stories, especially one about a Viking King who died. His village put him in an ice coffin and then split his wealth into several parcels, hid them, and then had a race to retrieve the money. Wolfstan married the woman who won the largest amount, and she accompanies him on his travels.

This is a fairly short book, but formatted like a long picture book, along the lines of Sutcliffe and Lee's Black Ships Before Troy. Riddell's illustrations are gorgeous, and I learned a bit about some history that I'd never  investigated before. 

I had this author's The Seeing Stone series for years, but eventually my students stopped being interested in books set during this era. I probably won't purchase, but it was an interesting read. 

I had this author's The Seeing Stone series for years, but eventually my students stopped being interested in books set during this era. I probably won't purchase, but it was an interesting read. 

Holland, Tom and Cockcroft, Jason (illus.)

The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks, and the Gods: A Tale of the Persian Wars 

November 5, 2024 by Candlewick Studio

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This is a beautifully illustrated book telling the story of the Persian Wars. The source material seems to be Herodotus. As a former Latin teacher, I loved it, and the artwork and words are formatted on the pages in such interesting ways. I would love to buy it for my library, but fear it would see about as much circulation as Lively and Andrew's In Search of a Homeland: The Story of the Aeneid (once in 20 years), or McCaughrean's The Epic of Gilgamesh (twice in 20 years). Shorter than Hardy's Argos. I would definitely purchase this for a public library, or anywhere that readers crave classical tales. 

From the publisher:

The magic of mythology meets the grit of history in a blazing blockbuster retelling of the Persian Wars from award-winning author Tom Holland, lavishly illustrated by Jason Cockcroft.

I come to tell you a story. A story unlike any that has been told before.

The Trojan War is ancient history. The gods of Olympus are silent and have not appeared to mortals for generations. In the city-state of Sparta, young Gorgo’s mother gives a warning with her dying breath: the Persians are coming. The princess Gorgo, weaned on her nurse’s stories of gods and shapeshifters, never forgets her mother’s last words. When at last the drums of war begin to sound, she is swept up in a dangerous game of politics, treachery, and vengeance. With the blood of Herakles and Zeus himself running through her veins and the awakening of a dormant supernatural power, Gorgo, now queen of Sparta, must help lead her city-state against a mighty empire. Unraveling like prophecy and featuring stunning art from acclaimed illustrator Jason Cockcroft, Tom Holland’s dramatic reimagining of one of history’s most formidable wars will echo through the mind of the reader long after they have reached the final page.