Ray, J: Ahmed and the Feather Girl

JANE RAY began her career as a designer but discovered a love for children's book illustration, especially fairy tales, mythology and folktales. Jane's first picture book for Frances Lincoln was Jinnie Ghost with Berlie Doherty, shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award. Her other acclaimed picture books include bestselling The Twelve Days of Christmas, The King of Capri with Jeanette Winterson, Romeo and Juliet with Michael Rosen, The Dolls' House Fairy and Snow White, which she both wrote and illustrated and Greek Myths for Frances Lincoln. She lives with her family in North London.

Must be one of the most beautiful picture books of the year. Its story of how orpham Ahmed discovers a golden egg which hatches into a little girl deserves to become a classic. Independent The colourful dramatic pictures will appeal to children of 5-7. Spectator Jane Ray's magical Ahmmed and the Feather Girl is gloriously illustrated with birds, stars, bunting and acrobats in sumptuous colour. It is about Ahmed, an orphan boy who is cruelly treated in a travelling circus, and his friendship with a winged girl hatched from a golden egg. An ambiguous ending, in the tradition of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince, describes how Ahmed finds freedom. Sunday Times Told in captivating language, this modern fairy tale has all the elements of a classic. Illustrated in watercolor and collage, the folk-art paintings beautifully convey Ahmed's servitude, Aurelia's magic, and the bond of their friendship. School Library Journal Enriched by exquisite illustrations in a patchwork of sumptuous colours: a portable art gallery indeed. Ham & High 4 Stars: Sometimes the best person to write a story is the illustrator and this is a case in point, for jane Ray has allowed herself free rein to decorate and embellish magical pictures in her own whimsical way. Each complete in itself, the images tell the story in a gentle unfolding fashion. There's a haunting pathos in the pictures and the words, a sadness which is steeped in the folk tale tradition, and the story touches us on a deeply emotional level. Like many folk tales there's cruelty, imprisonment and a yearning for love. But there's also hope, dreams and the splendour of flying to freedom. Books for Keeps The images are beautiful: there are vivid depictions of day and night, and autumn and winter, and readers will be drawn to the rich, bold colours and expressive characters. It is the combination of words and pictures that will draw children into the magical setting and the mysterious events that take place. Ibby Link a wonderful