Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale from Ancient Iraq

"Henderson (Three Wise Women) and Ray (Jinnie Ghost) here resurrect 'one of the oldest stories in the world,' and elegantly present it anew for young audiences. The feats of the youthful Lugalbanda (meaning 'little prince') originally were recorded in wedge-shaped marks called cuneiform in a pair of epic poems on clay tablets, more than 4,000 years ago. Set in Ancient Sumer, which we now call Iraq, this tale, with its themes of war and peace, is eerily timely. Lugalbanda follows his seven older brothers, all army commanders, into war to plunder another city's riches. When the boy falls ill along the way, the brothers leave him behind with provisions. After three days, the boy wakes, and his encounter with the legendary Anzu bird, a 'monster of the skies,' helps save him. The great bird grants Lugalbanda a wish (for 'strength in my legs so I never get tired — and arms that can reach out and never feel weak'), which helps his city prevail in war, but in a way that may well surprise readers. Mixed-media full-page and spot illustrations incorporate elaborate details, as seen in the Anzu bird's ornately patterned feathers and subtle color gradations. The somewhat exaggerated proportions in the artwork, and the appearance of the moon and sun in the same sky add a mystical feel to the art, while an airy design breaks up the text-heavy spreads. Henderson's foreword and afterword describe the extraordinary phases of discovery of the text and Sumerian culture, and how she derived this narrative from the cuneiform writings. Wrapped in mystery and myth, this story's message of courage and compassion sounds across the millennia. Ages 8-up. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Found in Iraq and older than the Bible, the Koran, or the Torah, this stirring epic--the world's oldest written story discovered 150 years ago--is a tale of childhood and courage that is remarkably relevant even today. Full color.

KATHY HENDERSON is an artist, printmaker, and illustrator as well as an award-winning children's author. She first came across the story of Lugalbanda in 2003, just before the invasion of Iraq. "The timing was extraordinary. Here was a story that was incredibly old, powerful, and mysterious, from a civilization I'd barely heard of, and yet it spoke straight to the present. Just as extraordinary was that almost nobody knew about it. All through the process of making the book, I've felt hugely privileged to be able to play even a small part in bringing this story back to life." Kathy Henderson lives in London.

JANE RAY is an acclaimed illustrator whose distinctive artwork for children's books is recognized around the world. She has won the Smarties Book Prize and has been nominated four times for the Kate Greenaway Medal. While illustrating LUGALBANDA, she enjoyed studying an array of ancient Sumerian artifacts in the British Museum. "This is the first time I've really had to research a particular historical period for a book, and I found it completely fascinating. It was wonderful to have the chance to explore the skill, beauty, and sophistication of this ancient culture - an added pleasure in illustrating the story." Jane Ray lives in London.