The Shahnameh is a collection of stories and myths from ancient Iran, filled with kings, heroes, princesses, magical animals and demons. Written as an epic poem by the poet Ferdowsi in the 10th century, it is one of the great classics of Persian literature. The tales include the Simurgh, the giant bird who brings up an orphaned king in her nest on a craggy rock, wicked King Zahhak with his man-eating snakes, and above all the story of the great hero Rustam and his son Sohrab.

Elizabeth Laird is passionate about bringing this great epic poem to the children of western cultures, as well as retelling it for Iranian children living in the West.

There are 120 pages in this book. This book was published 2014 by Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd .

SHIRIN ADL was born in Harlow, England, in 1975. She received a first class BA honours in illustration from Loughborough University, and won the Hallmark M&S division Talented Designer Award. She currently lives in Oxford with her husband. Elizabeth Laird has been nominated five times for the Carnegie Medal and has won numerous

This book has the following chapters:

Contents

AT THE BEGINNING OF TIME

King Hushang, the Master of Fire

King Tahmuras, the Tamer of Animals

Jamshid the Glorious, Master of the World

THE WICKED KING ZAHHAK

Zahhak Murders his Father

Greedy Zahhak and his Loathsome Snakes

The Death of the Great Jamshid Faranak Hides her Little Son

Feridun Learns the Truth Kaveh, the Courageous Blacksmith

Feridun Rides to War The Triumph of Feridun

SAM, THE FIRST CHAMPION OF KINGS

The Champion Sam, and Zal, his White-Haired Son

Sam Searches for his Son Zal Goes Hunting

King Mehrab's Beautiful Daughter

Rudabeh's Companions Set their Trap

The Falcon Catches the Dove

The Marriage of Zal and Rudabeh

RUSTAM THE HERO

A Champion is Born The Miraculous Baby

Rustam and the White Elephant Trouble Comes to Iran

Rustam Finds his Marvellous Horse Rustam Seeks for a King

The Noble Kay Kobad

THE FOOLISH KING KAY KAVUS

The White Demon of Mazanderan

Zal Hears the News

THE SEVEN TRIALS OF RUSTAM

Rustam's First Trial Rustam's Second Trial

Rustam's Third Trial

Rustam's Fourth Trial Rustam's Fifth Trial

Rustam's Sixth Trial Rustam Finds the King

Rustam's Seventh Trial Ulad Wins his Kingdom

KAY KAVUS THE FOOLISH

Rebellion in Barbary The King of Hamaveran's Daughter

The King of Hamaveran Takes his Revenge

Kay Kavus Flies with the Eagles

THE STORY OF RUSTAM AND SOHRAB

Rustam Loses Rakhsh The King of Samagan's Daughter

Tahmineh The Birth of Sohrab

Afrasyab Plots and Plans Sohrab and the White Fortress

Gordafarid, the Warrior Girl

RUSTAM IS SUMMONED

King Kavus Sends for Rustam The Anger of Kay Kavus

Kay Kavus and Rustam March to War

Rustam Spies on Sohrab Sohrab Looks for Rustam

THE BATTLE OF SOHRAB AND RUSTAM

Sohrab Makes his Challenge

The First Battle Between Sohrab and Rustam

Sohrab and Rustam Return to their Camps

Sohrab Throws Rustam to the Ground

The Final Battle The Grief of Rustam

The Death of Rustam