Old King Karnak is worried. He hasn't long to live, and there is no heir to the throne. So he holds a rather unusual competition to find one. Knights and nobles flock to the palace and the King gives each of them a tiny seed to grow. Jack the farmer's son is given a seed too, so he plants it, waters it and waits for it to sprout…
Praise for Nail Soup
"Space should still be found for this beautifully retold folk tale. Paul Hess's illustrations make ordinary household objects seem magically unreal all at the same time." - Carousel
A fine story brought to life by a seamless match between word and picture. - Carousel
Master storyteller Eric Maddern brings the same direct narration and intriguing charm to this traditional Mandarin Chinese story which has made earlier collaborations with Paul Hess on retellings of traditional tales such rewarding experiences. Hess' boldly painted and idiosyncratic perspectives on the stock iconography of medieval court romances are very entertaining, and in the florid imagery and simple prose unite in an Eden regained. - Books for Keeps
An engaging rendition of an old chinese tale, 'The King and the Seed' is beautifully illustrated and an uplifting reminder of the enduring value of perseverance and honesty. - Armadillo Magazine
Publication Details:
Binding: Paperback, 32 pages ISBN: 9781847802071 Format: 235mm x 278mm
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