The Happy Prince
Published on 7. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
80 pages
978-1-83913-564-4 (ISBN)
Description
Gloriously adapted and illustrated by the winner of the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
'This gorgeous version of Oscar Wilde's classic fable is a heartwarming delight' - Waterstones, Best Children's Books June 2024
Swallow is a homeless boy who's just arrived in the big city. He settles down for the night under the golden and bejewelled statue of the Happy Prince, yet when he looks up he sees the statue is weeping. What could a golden Happy Prince possibly have to feel sad about?
But from his view high above the city, the prince can see the suffering of the poor. He asks little Swallow to take his jewels and gold to the people who need them most. Can the statue and the boy find a way to bring happiness to everyone in the city?
'This gorgeous version of Oscar Wilde's classic fable is a heartwarming delight' - Waterstones, Best Children's Books June 2024
Swallow is a homeless boy who's just arrived in the big city. He settles down for the night under the golden and bejewelled statue of the Happy Prince, yet when he looks up he sees the statue is weeping. What could a golden Happy Prince possibly have to feel sad about?
But from his view high above the city, the prince can see the suffering of the poor. He asks little Swallow to take his jewels and gold to the people who need them most. Can the statue and the boy find a way to bring happiness to everyone in the city?
Reviews / Votes
Illustrated in purple throughout, this is both uplifting and a warning against the excess of capitalism * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice * With rich colours of purple and gold, this book is a feast for the eyes... As relevant now as it was over 130 years ago * Press Association, Children's Book of the Week * This gorgeous version of Oscar Wilde's classic fable is a heartwarming delight * Waterstones, Best Children's Books June 2024 * Sumptuous... A beautifully modern and relevant retelling of a classic moral tale * LoveReading4Kids * It's a story of empathy that has stood the test of time, and that all children should read ... especially as this edition is so beautiful! * Toppsta *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 6 to 9 years
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
292 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83913-564-4 (9781839135644)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Harry Woodgate (they/them) is a multi-award-winning author and illustrator, whose debut picture book Grandad's Camper won the British Book Awards for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, was shortlisted for the Polari Prize, and named as an ALA Stonewall Honor Book. It was inspired by their university dissertation, which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBTQIA+ characters in children's books. Their work has also been shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards, and the Folio Society Book Illustration Competition twice. When they're not creating amazing books, they love writing music, cycling, baking, and exploring independent coffee shops and bookstores.