Persephone: A Journey from Winter to Spring - Tapa dura

Sally Pomme Clayton, a much respected storyteller with a penchant for tales with brave heroines, breathes new life into one of the world's oldest myths. Lee's wistful illustrations are reminiscent of both Brian Wildsmith and Jane Ray.

A beautiful book. It retells one of the world's oldest myths, transforming it and making it understandable to the senses. What I admire is the way that the words and the illustrations are melded together: the words and pictures, each flowing with neither leading. What you need is someone to read it to you while showing you the pictures.

A superb book for exploring culture and storytelling. It provides exciting opportunities for children to engage with work on a cross-curricular level, and will bring history and the seasons to life in your classroom, facilitated by the wonders of modern technology.

It is pleasing to see publishers such as Frances Lincoln commissioning picture book editions of myths such as this fine retelling of Persephone.

The story of Persephone demands to be told with dramatic words and pictures and you have that here. The words are direct and strong and read well aloud. The colours are intense and the figures commanding. The earth-black horses of the Underworld contrast with the fresh new colours of Persephone in Spring. The illustrations show movement and power. This story is all about the earth and the artist does justice to the sea and the sky and to the land, both above and below. An excellent version of the myth.

 'Sally Pomme Clayton captures all the pathos of this story in her lyrical retelling. . . Virginia Lee's vivid illustrations add great power to this story of warfare between the gods.’

‘Acclaimed storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton breathes vigorous life into this dramatic story from the ancient world.’

'Sally Pomme Clayton's beautiful retelling of an ancient myth, transformed into a gorgeous picture book with stunning artwork by Virginia Lee.'

No flowers. No plants. No sunshine. When Hades carries Persephone down to the Underworld, her mother curses the Earth and everything stops growing. It is winter all year round. Persephone must return to Earth - but how can Spring return where Winter reigns?

Sally Pomme Clayton's dramatic storytelling and Virginia Lee's haunting illustrations transform one of the world's oldest myths into a classic picture-book.