Julie Downing – illustratör

This beautiful children's story treasury brings together 14 classic children's fairy tales and 17 well-known myths and legends from around the world in one magical collection.Perfect for children aged 5-7, these charmingly illustrated books bring together the best-loved characters and stories from across time, ideal for enjoying together at bedtime or reading aloud to little ones. A First Book of Fairytales includes everlasting favourites such as Sleeping Beauty, The Princess and the Pea, and Cinderella, while A First Book of Myths brings well-known tales to life including The Fall of Icarus, How Butterflies Began, and The Kingdom Under the Sea. Brought together in a beautiful slipcase, A First Book of Fairytales and A First Book of Myths are the perfect gift for a young loved one.Full contentsFairytales: Cinderella, The Selfish Giant, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, The Frog Prince, Beauty and the Beast, Diamonds and Toads, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Fisherman and his Wife, The Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, The Snow Queen.Myths: The Fall of Icarus, The Golden Touch, Andromeda, Wolf Babies, Coyote Dances with a Star, The First Corn, A Newborn Warrior, How the Animals Got Their Shapes, How Butterflies Began, Balder the Beautiful, Rama and Sita, The Enchanted Island, The Kingdom Under the Sea, The Crocodile and the Baby, How the Sun and Moon Appeared, The Goddess and the Farmboy, The Weaver and the Cowherd

Originally written by French author Reuben Saillens and later retold by Leo Tolstoy, this endearing and timeless story has now acquired the status of a folk-tale and is great to read out loud with children. The heartening story of a lonely shoemaker named Papa Panov whose generosity demonstrates the virtues of kindness and compassion. Mig Holder's much loved text is complemented by charming illustrations by Julie Downing which capture the changing mood of the story.

Elsa carries her chessboard everywhere, always ready for a game. When World War II forces her from Europe, can chess help make America home?Growing up in 1900s Vienna, Elsa’s brothers are always playing chess. “No girls!” they tell her when she first asks to learn; but she’s determined, and soon she’s such a pro that they give Elsa her very own special chessboard.From then on, Elsa plays chess whenever she can. When she grows up, she even meets her husband over games in the park. But when World War II grips Europe, the young Jewish family flees to America, where they find themselves surrounded by unfamiliar languages. Luckily, Elsa knows one language that can always bring people together: chess! Over the course of her life, Elsa's cherished chessboard will take her to new places while keeping her tethered to her truest self—no matter how many challenges the world throws her way. Based on the life of author Jenny Andrus’s grandmother, with illustrations by award-winning artist Julie Downing, Elsa’s Chessboard is an inspiring and exciting tale, perfect for any reader who's ever found meaning in a special object.One of Tablet’s Best Jewish Children’s Books of the YearA CALIBA Golden Poppy Finalist

Inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village, and graced with sensitive watercolor illustrations, this lovely book about respecting nature offers deep emotion and delightful surprises.A winter illness left Lotus, a little girl, without a voice and without friends. A hunter's bullet left Feather, a crane, injured and unable to fly. As Lotus nurses Feather back to health, their bond grows. Soon Feather is following Lotus everywhere, even to school! The bird dances to the girl's reed whistle, much to the delight of the other children. One day, when the village floods, Feather helps raise the alarm as Lotus and her grandfather urge their neighbors to get to high ground. Feather is a true friend to Lotus, but the time comes when Lotus must be a true friend to him -- by encouraging him to migrate with the rest of the cranes. The next spring, Feather miraculously returns, and that's not all . . . he has brought new life to the nearby lake.