'A beautiful re-telling of the legend of Saint Frideswide, the Patron Saint of Oxford. … An inspiring and enjoyable tale. ... Bodleian Publishing really has a knack for breathing new life into history and making it readable, accessible and current for today's children.' - The School Librarian

Winner of the Gold Medal in the 2020 Illumination Awards (Children's Picture Book category).

This story is about a brave and kind Anglo-Saxon princess called Frideswide who lived in Oxford a long time ago and just happened to be brilliant at climbing very tall trees. Her talent came in useful one day when a wicked king tried to kidnap her. How did she and her friends escape, and what happened to the king and his soldiers? 

With stunning illustrations by award-winning artist Alan Marks, Saint Frideswide’s legend is retold for young children as a tale of adventure, courage in the face of danger, friendship, and kindness, with a few surprises along the way.

The church Frideswide founded in Oxford was on the site of what is now Christ Church, and her medieval shrine can still be seen inside the Cathedral.

This beautiful picture book is sure to be treasured by any child who loves tales of adventure. It will appeal to children learning about the Anglo-Saxons, to readers who like feisty heroines and to visitors to Oxford, as a meaningful souvenir of their visit.

Jackie Holderness is currently the Cathedral Education Officer at Christ Church, Oxford. She has written and published a wide range of educational books and materials. Alan Marks has illustrated children’s books for several decades and has been awarded the Carnegie Medal and the Smarties Prize for his work in book illustration.

• Hardback
• 40 pages, 247 x 200 mm
• Fully illustrated
• ISBN: 9781851245185
• Publication April 2019