Chris Riddell

Chris Riddell’s work is always a delight, and this – the second in his Cloud Horse Chronicles duology – is no exception. We follow the tale of Tiggy (whose name is a vital plot point) as she travels, Dorothy-like with friends gathered along the way, to undo the terrible magic keeping her homeland of Thrynne trapped in perpetual winter. As the story unfolds we learn, via chapters told in different points of view, about the history and magic of Thrynne and its peoples.

Unbeknownst to them or each other, three kids, Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba, are about to enter a war in a world where magic is banned and the streets are ruled by ruthless tin men, slowly chopping down every tree in the land. At the centre of the conflict is the Forever Tree, and it is up to them to protect it.

In this wonderful collection of poetry, chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell, the line drawings wrap around the poems, almost as if they were drawn personally into your copy in pencil after the words were printed, with their intertwined nature ensuring the illustrations and the words are consumed as a unit.