His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North, Gift Edition - by Philip Pullman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"American balloonist Lee Scoresby and the great armored bear Iorek Byrnison meet when Lee and his hare daemon Hester crash-land their trading balloon onto a port in the far Arctic North and find themselves in the middle of a political powder keg."--

Book Synopsis

A stunning new edition of this prequel episode from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials universe that tells how aeronaut Lee Scoresby and the armored bear Iorek Byrnison first met. Now with full-color illustrations from Chris Wormell.

After winning his hot-air balloon in a poker game, Lee Scoresby and his dæmon, Hester, find themselves floating north. On landing, it's not long before Scoresby is embroiled in a deadly plot involving an oil magnate, a corrupt mayoral candidate, and Lee's longtime nemesis--a hired killer. Lee's been in tight spots before, but getting out of this mess will require some sharp shooting and the help of an unlikely new ally--the massive, surly, armored bear Iorek Byrnison.

Newly illustrated in full color by renowned print-maker Chris Wormell, this edition is a wonderfully gift-worthy production.

Review Quotes

★ "Two of the most beloved characters from Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison, get their own novella, giving readers a glimpse into their initial meeting and friendship. Lovely, full-color artwork . . . truly enhances the beautifully written story." --School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Pullman is as fine a writer as there is for young people, and this book is a small gem." --Booklist, starred review

"An action-oriented mini masterpiece." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

PHILIP PULLMAN is one of the most acclaimed writers working today. He is best known for the His Dark Materials trilogy, which has been named one of the top 100 books of all time by Newsweek and one of the all-time greatest novels by Entertainment Weekly.
The Book of Dust, Pullman's eagerly anticipated return to the world of His Dark Materials, will also be a book in three parts. It began with La Belle Sauvage and continues with The Secret Commonwealth.
Pullman was knighted for his services to literature in the 2019 New Years Honours. He lives in Oxford, England.

CHRIS WORMELL is a celebrated illustrator and print-maker. He has written and illustrated many wonderful picture books including the New York Times Best-Illustrated book, Teeth, Tails, and Tentacles. He has also created the jackets for many books, notably Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage and The Secret Commonwealth.