Soonchild

(Hardback)

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Description

"Hoban is the best sort of genius." Patrick Ness, The Guardian

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...

Reviews

This is an incredibly rich book: in concept; in structure; in language and deep philosophical thought. * Magpies Magazine *
A book that you will want to read over and over again, each time gaining more understanding of its hidden truths. * Good Reading *

Author Bio

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.