a narrative poem from our poet laureate,

Simon Armitage

With illustrations by Clive Hicks-Jenkins

We are delighted to announce a new book from poet laureate Simon Armitage, in collaboration with artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins, and Design for Today.

Simon Armitage’s extended narrative poem uses the well-known framework of the Brothers Grimm tale but gives us a new contemporary interpretation and focus. This is a darker, glittering Hansel & Gretel fairy story for the 21st century, of refugees, bombed villages, homelessness, a landscape where nothing is quite as it seems, but of humanity, humour and hope too. 

The powerful story is illustrated by the visual creations of artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins. His compelling Hansel & Gretel characters have appeared as prints, and as a Toy Theatre for Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop and re-imagined here using the imagery of the toy box of mid-century wooden puppets, villages and building blocks in creating a unique, contemporary fairytale landscape.

Hansel & Gretel is published in a beautiful 96 page hardback edition by Design For Today.

Please contact info@designfortoday.co.uk for book orders, enquiries, press pack & availability & do sign up to our newsletter for updates.