The stories in this collection have slipped on a sunbeam, skidded on the dew and sprinted fast as a fox to be here with you. Of course, theyre true, puffed on to the page with a hint of lavender and a gust of sage. They tell of Sussex: its sparkling seas; chalk giants; wise witches and crossdressing smugglers. Once youve heard them, youll know that when leaves skitter, its Puck, the sprite of Sussex, fighting with his sister the Fairy Queen. When you hear laughter in the forest, its Flint, the phantom highwayman making his escape, and when you run over the Downs, youll remember they were shaped by the Devils buttocks. These tales specially chosen for the enjoyment of 7- to 11-year-old readers sparkle with magic and explode with adventure. Not only will children love to read them, or listen to them being read, these stories will also stimulate an interest in the county and help children engage with their own surroundings.

 

 

This book was published in 2018 by The History Press Ltd .

Xanthe Gresham Knight is an acclaimed writer and storyteller who performs across Europe and North America. Xanthe lives in East Sussex, England. She has written Thumbelina and The Princess and the Pea for Barefoot Books.