'The lovely name Frideswide is a compound of two Anglo-Saxon words meaning peace (frith) and strong (swith). And these are the qualities at the heart of this most appealing retelling of the legend of the resourceful girl who outfaced danger, chose the path of peace, and worked great wonders. Alan Marks is a wonderful colourist and gives just the right amount of character and drama to his generous illustrations.' -- Kevin Crossley-Holland 'How lovely to see this rarely-told story given the chance to breathe in the warm, airy and luminous atmosphere of Alan Marks' unmistakable illustrations.' -- Geraldine McCaughrean 'Alan Marks displays, as ever, fine draughtsmanship with his enchanting watercolour illustrations which are so evocative of the time and place in Jackie Holderness's re-telling of the tale of Saint Frideswide as an exciting adventure story.
Holderness skilfully interweaves historical fact and fiction into an absorbing and riveting read about the patron saint of Oxford. Her writing perceptively plays on the reader's emotions by contrasting the saint's goodness against the king's meanness and cruelty.
I would highly recommend this captivating tale to any anyone from eight to eighty.' -- Korky Paul "The Princess who Hid in a Tree" is a charming re-telling of a celebrated story from Oxford's history. The beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to Frideswide's story in a fresh and immediate way. It's impossible not to cheer on a princess who decides for herself how she wishes to live her life.' -- Louise Richardson