Soonchild - Hardcover

Russell Hoban; Illustrated By Alexis Deacon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1406329916 ISBN 13: 9781406329919

Publisher: Walker Books, 2012

Synopsis

Somewhere in the Arctic Circle, Sixteen-Face John, a shaman, learns that his first child, a soonchild, cannot hear the World Songs from her mother's womb. The World Songs are what inspire all newborns to come out into the world, and John must find them for her. But how? The answer takes him through many lifetimes and many shape-shifts, as well as encounters with beasts, demons and a mysterious benevolent owl spirit, Ukpika, who is linked to John's past...Legendary storyteller, Russell Hoban whisks his readers across frozen landscapes, to the edges of cliffs, into tiny rocky crannies, and down into the belly of a great swallowing demon - and has them laughing and weeping by turns along the way. Lyrical illustrator, Alexis Deacon meets the spirit of Hoban's vision head-on, and brilliantly captures the dark magic that lies at the heart of this fable. This book is jacketed.

About this title

About the Author:

Russell Hoban was the renowned author of many famous novels, including Turtle Diary (which was made into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson) and Riddley Walker, which won the John W. Campbell Award for science fiction. He also wrote over 50 children's books, including such classics as The Mouse and His Child, Bedtime for Frances, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and The Sea-Thing Child. Born in Pennsylvania in 1925, he moved to London in 1969, and spent the rest of his life here. Alexis Deacon was born in London in 1978. His first picture book, Slow Loris (2002) was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. His second, Beegu (2003), was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award and selected by the New York Times as one of the year's best illustrated children's books. In 2008, he was chosen as one of the ten Best New Illustrators as part of the Booktrust's Big Picture Campaign. He lives in London.

Review:

This magical tale from a master storyteller is highly readable and full of imagination...The stunning illustrations by Alexis Deacon are as important to the telling of the story as the text, and this book will truly delight both children and adult alike. * We Love This Book * Hoban's books never float around the front of the brain but delve deep where it matters...this book is mysterious but not obscure, alternately funny and profound * Carousel * Walker are also to be congratulated on producing such a beautiful, physical object, with a fine dust jacket, fully illustrated boards, and different coloured paper to represent different parts of the narrative, and all for under a tenner. Alexis Deacon's moody pencil illustrations add a haunting counterpoint to the magical realism of the story, and have their own moments of wit...Every adolescent should have a copy of this one. Trust me, nobody will be writing stories quite like this anymore. -- Tony Bradman * Guardian * this wonderfully timeless and atmospheric story ... as attractive to look at and handle as it is to read * The Irish Times * magical ... one for sophisticated readers of all ages * The Sunday Times * This unusual tale for both adults and children is imaginative, magical and readable * Booktrust * Some have said that Soonchild isn't really a book for young adults. Well, it is and it isn't. It's a book for everyone. I'd read it to young children - all folk tales are scary. I'd read it myself for pleasure. * The Bookbag * any adolescent who'll appreciate this thoughtful, juicy piece of mythmaking is on the way to being a very wise grown-up indeed * Telegraph * The monochrome artwork is masterly and the words hold their own delights...certainly there is nothing quite like it. * The School Librarian * Ideal for children who like their stories more mythical. * The Daily Telegraph * I would love to read more from this unique and creative author! * Teen Titles * wonderfully strange story * Irish Independent * Atmospheric, poetic, beautiful. * The Irish Times *

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1406329916
• ISBN 13: 9781406329919
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Alexis Deacon