My book review of 'King Winter's Birthday' by Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton

by Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton
Recommended age: 3+
King Winter's Birthday
by Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton

King Winter wants this birthday to be special so he invites his brother and sisters to come along to a party. Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn agree to join him but the wind and the trees whisper a warning. And, as the four play together, something strange begins to happen outside.

It's a very simple, magical tale stressing a need to appreciate and heed nature's rhythms, and of how a chaotic world can be restored.

The story was written by Jonathan Freedland but inspired by a tale written by German author Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz.

During World War II Boschwitz and his mother were arrested by the British and interned on the Isle of Man. During his time there, he wrote King Winter's Birthday.

In 1940 he was deported to Australia then two years later freed and allowed to return to Britain. On the voyage back, his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. He was 27 and died with more than 300 others.

A tragic story behind this beautiful, magical, seasonal picture book.

Date of this review: December 2024
Book publication date: 14th November 2024