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It only takes one strike: A powerful feminist reworking of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, from bestselling and award-winning creators Emma Carroll and Lauren Child. '' Superb. About community and voices and standing up for yourself ’ Phil Earle, British Book Award-winning author of When the Sky Falls Bridie works hard to feed her family, selling matches on the streets of Victorian London. After an incident leaves her with only three matches left, the magical strike of each one sees her tumble into visions of a brighter future. Realizing she has the power to change her own fortune, Bridie leads the match factory workers out on strike, achieving the remarkable through their unity and courage. A defiant and empowering retelling of the classic you thought you knew, based on real-life events, this stunning collaboration brought to life in glorious spot colour introduces a bold new heroine for future generations to treasure. ''Bridie is a feminist icon, with a story that is all too relevant. There is so much power in these beautiful pages'' Katya Balen, winner of the Carnegie Medal ''A defiant, elegantly illustrated story'' Sunday Times Culture ''A brilliant story of collective power that champions community and kindness'' Abi Elphinstone ''A powerful strike right to the heart, burning with courage, that should light a beacon of hope for young readers'' Piers Torday ''A timely read that might prompt discussion'' Observer ‘[Lauren] Child’s vivid spot-colour illustrations elegantly complement the fierceness of the story’ Guardian ‘A masterful interweaving of fairytale and fact with social action and strong women at its heart’ Smriti Halls
About the author
Emma Carroll is the multi award-winning author of many bestselling historical stories, including Secrets of a Sun King, Letters from the Lighthouse, The Week at World’s End and A Night at the Frost Fair. With a background as an English teacher, her stories are often magical, and always led by a cast of impressive female characters. She lives in the Somerset hills with her husband and two talkative terriers.
Lauren Child is an award-winning artist and writer. She is the creator of many much-loved characters, including Clarice Bean, Charlie and Lola and Ruby Redfort, along with several stand-alone picture books. Her first two books were published in 1999 – I Want a Pet and Clarice Bean, That’s Me – and she won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2000 for I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato. She was awarded a CBE for Services to Literature in 2020; and was the 10th Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate from 2017-2019.
Lauren is a champion for the importance of illustration as an art form. She has been a trustee of the House of Illustration for ten years, and at the forefront of innovation, raising the profile of illustration as a sophisticated art form for all ages. She works with mixed media, has pioneered text as an integral part of illustration and collaborates with artists across different fields including music, film, and design. Lauren is a Foundling Museum Fellow and an UNESCO Artist for Peace and her work has always championed the importance of childhood.
