The Happy Prince
Age 6+
Classic Fiction
Introduce your child to Oscar Wilde’s classic story with a modern twist.
When a boy called Swallow arrives in a new city, he rests at the feet of the gold statue of the Happy Prince. The statue tells him his worries about the poor people of the city.
Together they make a plan. Each night the little boy takes one of the jewels or pieces of gold from the statue and gifts it to someone in need, the statue is finally happy again. But when all the gold is gone, the important councillors of the city tear down the statue for it is no longer beautiful, each wishes to replace it with a statue of himself.
It is cold and the kind people of the city take the little boy into their homes. Together they discuss how best to use their pieces of gold and wonder about why there are statues in the city. The boy tells them of the beautiful warm lands that he comes from, and the plants and animals. The people decide that they will build a city garden with their gold where everyone can come to grow food and enjoy the beauty of nature. Swallow plants a fruit tree to remember the sweet kindnesses of his friend, the Happy Prince.
Creators
Harry Woodgate (they/them) is a multi-award-winning author and illustrator, whose debut picture book Grandad’s Camper won the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, was shortlisted for the Polari Prize, and named as an ALA Stonewall Honor Book. It was inspired by their university dissertation, which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBTQIA+ characters in children’s books. Their work has also been shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards, and the Folio Society Book Illustration Competition twice.
Reviews
A story of empathy that has stood the test of time, and that all children should read … especially as this edition is so beautiful!
Toppsta
Sumptuous… A beautifully modern and relevant retelling of a classic moral tale
LoveReading4Kids
Woodgate’s style, both as an artist and as a writer, is eminently child friendly… While one might have reservations about adapting classic texts, here Woodgate has respected the original, drawing on themes that are as relevant today to bring new life to this story
Books for Keeps
Beautiful illustrations… with rich colours of purple and gold, this book is a feast for the eyes… As relevant now as it was over 130 years ago
Press Association, IrishNews.com
