Oscar Wilde's timeless, compassionate tale of the friendship between the Happy Prince and the Swallow is brought to life by Joan Rankin's sensitive, magical artwork. Beloved since it was first published in 1888, this enchanting story will be enjoyed by both adults and children. From his high pedestal, the Happy Prince, a magnificent golden statue, can see all the misery of the city below him. He begs a little Swallow to pluck off his treasure and share it amongst the poor. When the Happy Prince asks his new friend to stay and help him, the Swallow receives a lesson in kindness and caring.
There are 48 pages in this book. This book was published 2013 by Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd .
Joan Rankin studied Graphic Art at the Michaelis School of Art in Cape Town. Her first children's book was published in 1986 and in 1991 she won the Katrine Harries Award for her illustrations. Carole Bloch and Margaret Sixel developed the book in conjunction with The Little Hands Trust and PRAESA. The Little Hands Trust supports initiatives that promote reading for enjoyment. They collaborate with African publishers to increase and sustain publ
This book contains the following story:
The Happy Prince
After dying young, the Happy Prince's soul inhabits a beautiful ruby-encrusted statue covered in gold leaf which is perched high above the city. But when he sees the poverty, misery and desperateness of his people, he enlists the help of a barn swallow to remove the gilding of his statue and shower the riches on his people. In the spring, the townspeople are saved, but find only a stripped down and dull statue alongside a dead swallow. The remains are tossed into an ash heap, but an emissary of God recognizes their sacrifice, and escorts them into the gardens of Heaven.
