Take your child on an odyssey of imagination where (s)he will be entertained and inspired by a whimsical tale about a pawn who desires to become a queen all while developing critical thinking and interpersonal skills that will help both on and off the chessboard.
"In this enchanting children's story, we follow the adventures of Prunella the pawn, as she attempts to fulfil her dream of becoming a queen... Beautifully written throughout, this is truly a work that will capture the imagination of players (& readers) young and old alike.
Across the Battlefield also sets out chess tips which will be useful to those starting out. These cover a range of topics including castling, controlling the centre, 'making all of your pieces happy, ' pawn chains and square control. These aren't fully comprehensive, textbook style, nor are they intended to be - but they are enough to get a new player thinking, which is clearly the aim of the book.
Jonathan Ferry has a real talent as a teacher and as a writer... I would recommend gifting Across the Battlefield in combination with a standard introductory chess book. The two together would give a new young player a lot of enjoyment and - with a bit of luck - a lifelong love of chess." - Ben Graff, English Chess Federation
"Across the Battlefield: A Pawn's Journey is entertaining and instructional. Vivid illustrations contribute to the story's appeal to young players. They are mesmerizing and help tell a convincing story about being timid but brave when facing what appears to be overwhelming obstacles... It's a heartwarming story that young readers will want to read again and again." - Ray Linville, Editor - Chess.com
"Across the Battlefield: A Pawn's Journey is a lovely story, beautifully written and enchantingly illustrated, that will appeal to many children - especially, but not only, girls - aged from about 6 or 7 upwards...many children will, understandably, fall in love with the book, and, perhaps, be hooked on chess for life as a result." - British Chess News
"Across the Battlefield: A Pawn's Journey receives four stars. The story is well-told and the illustrations are absolutely beautifully done... For anyone wanting to teach chess to a young child or grandchild, this is a good little book." - American Chess Magazine
"Across the Battlefield is a captivating tale and guide that could help young players learn and enjoy chess." - Kirkus Reviews
***
If you think chess is hard... imagine being a pawn! Everyone else is bigger than you, moving around takes forever... and you do not get much respect. For Prunella, a small, unassuming pawn, her greatest dream is to grow into a queen. If only she could make it to the other side of the chess board, then her dream would become a reality. With an entire army standing in her way, however, she doubts it will ever happen.
Join Prunella on her journey across the battlefield, where you will not only experience the game of chess from the viewpoint of a pawn on the board but learn the strategies and techniques it takes to win in the game of chess along with her.
***
A fun, educational middle grade story book that teaches kids critical thinking strategies for mastering chess and demonstrates social and emotional learning for succeeding in life.