Raymond Antrobus and Ken Wilson-Max: Terrible Horses
Join the award-winning writer Raymond Antrobus and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max as they share their new picture book, a story about emotions and developing empathy.
Terrible Horses is a truly authentic and stunningly evocative picture book on brother-sister dynamics and how creativity and storytelling can help resolve conflict and enable better understanding.
This little boy does not get on with his sister. They misunderstand each other, struggle to communicate and they fight. Afterwards, there’s a lot of hurt, heavy feelings and loneliness.
In order to escape their constant rowing and clear his head, the boy often retreats to his bedroom where he writes stories about terrible horses – trampling and galloping – and he, a lone pony, who cannot compete and cannot speak.
But what happens when his sister finds his book? Could it be a way for them to finally understand each other?
Filled with empathy and poignance, Terrible Horses is a story about managing anger and learning to see someone else’s perspective.
This event will feature a reading of the book along with live illustration and an opportunity to ask questions.
Raymond Antrobus became the first poet to be awarded the Rathbone Folio Prize, and was awarded an MBE for his services to literature in 2021.
His adult poetry collection The Perseverance won Antrobus the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and the Ted Hughes Award. His poetry collection, All the Names Given, was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Can Bears Ski?, illustrated by Polly Dunbar, was Antrobus’ picture book debut.
Ken Wilson-Max is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He was born in Zimbabwe and lives in London. Wilson-Max is among the Speaking Volumes 100 Breaking New Ground British writers and illustrators of colour.
He has illustrated more than 70 children’s books in his unique style, which have been published by over 15 international publishers in many languages worldwide.
His book Where’s Lenny? was listed in ‘50 Best Culturally Diverse Children’s Books’ by The Guardian and Max Paints the House is listed in ‘150 Important Children’s Books’ by the African American Literature Book Club.
Need to know
Every adult and child needs a ticket, except for babes in arms aged under 18 months at the time of the performance who don’t need their own seat.
Access
This event is a Relaxed Performance (RP).
Relaxed Performances have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit during the performances. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available for both adults and children. There are no adjustments to sound and lighting for the event.
This event is British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted.
To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
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For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
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Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
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