#615 of 1001 · April 7, 2022

Selina Hastings and Juan Wijngaard present a parable of supernatural romance in Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady, companion to their earlier work Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story opens in the England of medieval legend. King Arthur is attacked by the wicked Black Knight, who gives the monarch three days to save his life by answering the question, “What is it that women most desire?” A hideous old hag provides the answer, “What all women most desire is to have their own way,” but in return extracts the promise that she may marry a Knight of the Round Table. The loyal and selfless Sir Gawain volunteers to marry the ancient crone, treating her with kindness and respect as they prepare for the wedding. Once the two are alone the bridal chamber, the woman reveals that she is in fact a fair young maiden under a spell. She tells her husband that he must decide—will she remain ugly by day and beautiful by night? Or will she be ugly at night and beautiful during the day? Readers who have been paying close attention to the story may correctly predict Sir Gawain’s choice. Hastings and Wingaard imbue the text and illustrations with a lush, refined beauty. #black #knight #medieval #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcover #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookillustrations #picturebookart #classicchildrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks