Lugalbanda

KATHY HENDERSON is an artist, printmaker, and illustrator as well as an award-winning children's author. She first came across the story of Lugalbanda in 2003, just before the invasion of Iraq. "The timing was extraordinary. Here was a story that was incredibly old, powerful, and mysterious, from a civilization I'd barely heard of, and yet it spoke straight to the present. Just as extraordinary was that almost nobody knew about it. All through the process of making the book, I've felt hugely privileged to be able to play even a small part in bringing this story back to life." Kathy Henderson lives in London. JANE RAY is an acclaimed illustrator whose distinctive artwork for children's books is recognized around the world. She has won the Smarties Book Prize and has been nominated four times for the Kate Greenaway Medal. While illustrating LUGALBANDA, she enjoyed studying an array of ancient Sumerian artifacts in the British Museum. "This is the first time I've really had to research a particular historical period for a book, and I found it completely fascinating. It was wonderful to have the chance to explore the skill, beauty, and sophistication of this ancient culture - an added pleasure in illustrating the story." Jane Ray lives in London.