Untameables

Clare Pollard has published five collections of poetry with Bloodaxe, most recently Incarnation and a pamphlet The Lives of the Female Poets, published by Bad Betty Press. Her poem 'Pollen' was nominated for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2022. She has been involved in numerous translation projects, including translating Ovid’s Heroines, which she toured as a one-woman show. Clare has also written a play, The Weather, that premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and a non-fiction title, Fierce Bad Rabbits: The Tales Behind Children's Picture Books. Her debut adult novel Delphi was published in 2022. The Untameables is her first book for children. Reena Makwana is a London-based illustrator who creates illustrations using drawings, embroidery and print. Her work is influenced by the city, characters, creatures, social past and present. She studied illustration at Camberwell College of Arts and has produced work for clients including Heart and Parcel, Vittles, Pit Magazine, Endeavour Agency, Lecker, Big Family Press, OOMK and At The Table. Reena has illustrated a number of titles for The Emma Press, including 'The Untameables' by Clare Pollard, 'The Fox's Wedding' by Rebecca Hurst, and 'Pilgrim' by Lisabelle Tay.reenamakwana.com Twitter: @ReenaMakwana Instagram: @reena.makwana

“The writing style is sharp and accessible, often feeling like an oral storytelling session, as befits the author’s experience as a poet. Roan’s vulnerability and Elva’s strength nicely flip the traditional gender roles that are often found in historical fiction, giving young readers a pair of well-rounded and identifiable protagonists to root for. A charming tale of friendship and bravery that will appeal to fans of Kate DiCamillo and Eva Ibbotson.”