The King and the Seed

Author(s): Eric Maddern

Children's books

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!


Product Information

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

Eric Maddern studied sociology and psychology at Sheffield University, then spent 10 years travelling around the world. He now performs all over the country as a storyteller and folk singer, and he has built a roundhouse in the grounds of his home, where he holds storytelling events. He lives in Gwnyedd, Wales. Eric's books for Frances Lincoln are Death in a Nut, Nail Soup, Cow on the Roof, Earth Story and Life Story, Fire Children, The King with Horse's Ears, Spirit of the Forest, Rainbow Bird, The King and the Seed and Curious Clownfish. To visit Eric Maddern's website click here Paul Hess was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1961. He went to art college in Sydney and then worked as a graphic designer and Art Director for various companies both in Sydney and London from 1981 to 1991. He has worked as a freelance art director and illustrator since then. His books for Frances Lincoln are Death in a Nut, Nail Soup, Cow on the Roof, Dragon of Krakow, Hidden Tales from Eastern Europe, The King with Horse's Ears and The King and the Seed. He lives in Northumberland.

General Fields

  • : 9781847802071
  • : Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd
  • : Frances Lincoln Childrens Books
  • : March 2011
  • : 235mm X 278mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : August 2011
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Eric Maddern
  • : 32
  • : 5+
  • : 823.914
  • : Paul Hess
  • : Paperback
  • : chiefly col. Illustrations