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Kathy Henderson illustrated by Jane Ray
Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War
Walker (80 pages) 9781406305340
This is credited as being one of the most ancient, if not the oldest, known story to have been written down as it appears on clay tablets from around 5000 years ago. It is from the region we now know as Iraq and the message within the tale is humane and sympathetic. A boy is with a huge army planning to attack the rich city of Aratta to take wealth back to Uruk. He is left to die when he becomes ill but is helped by a great god-like bird who gives him extra powers in return for certain promises. When he rejoins the army the expected ease of victory seems to have come to a halt. It is the boy who passes on a message from a goddess that Aratta can be taken only if the victors determine not to destroy it and to restore all the city's arts and crafts after the siege. The gorgeous imagery, colouring and beautifully rich pages of Jane Ray's art are a fantastically appealing addition to this well-told tale.