Appearing:
Lit & Phil, Gala Day
Author Website
www.grimgruesome.com
Publisher
Talking Stone
Rosalind Kerven has written over 50 children's books for many leading publishers, with co-editions and translations in 19 countries. February 2008 sees publication of the first title in her major, seven-part children's fiction series, GRIM GRUESOME Viking Villain: The Cursed Sword (see www.grimgruesome.com). Later in the year she is also bringing out a collection of English Fairy Tales and Legends for the National Trust."
Her most successful children's novels are Who Ever Heard of a Vegetarian Fox? (Puffin) which was shortlisted for The Children's Book Award, won a major award in Japan, was also translated into Dutch and Afrikaans and sold over 100,000 copies worldwide; and The Sea is Singing (Puffin) which was a TES Book of the Year and was dramatised several times on BBC Radio.
Rosalind has a specialist knowledge of world myths, legends and folk tales. Her retelling of King Arthur (Dorling Kindersley) was recommended by the American Library Association and has sold nearly a quarter of a million copies in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Norway and Portugal as well as the UK. Aladdin and other Tales from the Arabian Nights (Dorling Kindersley) has enjoyed similar success in many countries. Earth Magic, Sky Magic (Native American stories), In the Court of the Jade Emperor (stories from old China) and The Rain Forest Story Book, all published by Cambridge University Press, were highly acclaimed by reviewers. The Woman Who Went to Fairyland (Blackie) was shortlisted for The Children's Book Award, and The Fairy Spotter's Handbook (Frances Lincoln) was one of that publisher's most successful titles for Christmas 2003. She was commissioned to write The Giant King (Norse myths) and Enchanted Kingdoms (Celtic myths) for the British Museum; and the souvenir book for a major British Library exhibition, The Mythical Quest. Her retellings feature in many school literacy schemes published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Ginn, Heinemann, Rigby and Scholastic.
She has written several non-fiction titles on subjects as diverse as animal rights, multi-cultural festivals and the Vikings; and also the text for the BBC Education Online website www.bbc.co.uk/education/vikings.
Rosalind has her own small publishing house, Talking Stone (named after a Native American myth about the origin of stories), which is producing the Grim Gruesome books, working with an innovative author-led publishing team of editor, designer and artist. Its list also includes Traditional Stories: A Practical Guide for People Sharing Books with Children, which was highly acclaimed in the educational press, and Northumberland Folk Tales, which quickly established itself as a best seller in the regional tourist market.
Rosalind grew up in London and has a degree in social anthropology from Hull University. She has lived in the Northumberland National Park since 1982. She has been a visiting story teller to many North East primary schools, Seven Stories and the Alnwick Garden: her retellings of world traditional tales hold children of all ages enthralled. For many years she has been the Children's Books Reviewer for The Northern Echo.
Recommended Reads
 | The Cursed Sword - Grim Gruesome Viking Villain Talking Stone 978-0953745432 First in a thrilling historical fiction series about Grim Gruesome, spine-tingling, child-hating, tricksterish Viking villain. Astrid's mysterious uncle lends Bjarni a sword so he can join a pirate ship and win some treasure. The sword is carved with strange rune letters which turn out to be a dangerous curse. It plunges the children into a terrifying adventure - and straight into the clutches of the evil Grim Gruesome! Authentic yet fantastical, crammed with children's favourites: treasure, sword fights and pirates. Fast moving and written in a pity, immensely readable voice. |
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English Fairy Tales and Legends National Trust 978-1905400652 Many people in England have little knowledge of genuine 'English' fairy tales. The stories that many of us grew up with are from overseas: for example "Snow White" is German, "Cinderella" is French and "Aladdin" is Arabian. But folk tales and legends are an intrinsic part of English national culture and the author has revived our best tales for a new generation of readers with 12 classic tales rewritten to engage readers.This terrific collection is a great introduction to the different types of traditional story and their place in English oral and written heritage. The 12 stories include tales of giants, dragons, fairies, beauty-and-the-beast, and Arthurian Romance. Each tale is linked with a specific place or county in England: for example, "The Dragon Castle" from Northumberland, "The Girl Snatched By Fairies" from County Durham, "The Princess and the Fool" from Kent and "The Dark Moon" from Lincolnshire.The second half of the book has notes on each story: where the history came from, its development and short summaries of many related or similar stories. It is a timely book on real English fairy tales, from tales of dragons to Robin Hood. |
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Secret World of Magic Frances Lincoln 978-1845074814 At last - this is the definitive guide to magic and enchantment: featuring magic-makers, shape-changing and other important spells, wishes and charms, bewitching, magical travel, and secret worlds. In addition, the book includes traditional folk tales and details magic traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Norway, the Middle East, Africa, China, Japan, Korea and Native America. |