Black Queen
by
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Billy is frightened of his neighbour, nicknamed the 'Black Queen', but when she goes away for a few days, he warily agrees to look after her cat. Unable to resist the chance to snoop around her house, Billy begins to wonder if the Black Queen is hiding her real identity. An easy read with a great twist at the end.
Publisher: Corgi Children's
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Tony Ross
Tony Ross is one of the best-known creators of picture books. He trained at the Liverpool School of Art before working as a cartoonist, a graphic designer, at an advertising agency and as a University lecturer. His most popular books include his interpretations of fairy tales, the Dr Xargle books and the much-loved Little Princess series, which has been turned into a highly successful animated television series. Tony Ross has also illustrated many children’s fiction titles and in his extremely prolific career he has illustrated more than 1200 books.
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Michael Morpurgo
Children's Laureate 2003-2005
Award-winning children's writer Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. He is the author of many award-winning books for children, including Kensuke's Kingdom, My Friend Walter and Private Peaceful. Many of his books have been successfully adapted for the stage or for film and television including War Horse and Private Peaceful (due to be released in 2012)
As well as writing, Michael runs the charity Farms for City Children with his wife Claire. In 2003 he became the third Children's Laureate (2003-2005), taking on a role he helped to establish together with the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. During his time as laureate he toured extensively, concentrating on sharing the power of stories.
(Credit Richard Cannon)
Reading Age: 7+
Interest level: 6+
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