Viewed through the unique perspective of artist Anno Mitsumasa, the "happy isle" of Britain takes on a special enchantment. As you journey with Anno through England, Scotland and Wales, reality and fiction, past and present, blend harmoniously, so that you may meet Sir Francis Drake and Christopher Robin in the same scene, or Long John Silver, Isaac Newton, Lassie, Gulliver and Jack-and-the-Beanstalk. We in North America share more than a common language with Britain, many of our first settlers came from there, and much of our cultural heritage is rooted there, so this journey is of particular relevance to American readers.

Anno planned this book "in praise of Britain's countryside," which he depicts in marvelously detailed watercolor paintings. But his lone traveler also passes through towns and cities, including London, where he sees such famous landmarks as St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and the Tower of London—and where more than once he meets the Queen walking one of her dogs. Anno's many fans will find a rich artistic and intellectual feast in this book as they pore over its myriad fascinating details and make fresh discoveries at each viewing. Every scene contains a wealth of historical and literary characters, from Shakespeare to Sherlock Holmes, from Beatrix Potter to the Beatles, to Robin Hood, Prince Charles and many others. Activities like the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race , cricket, fox hunting and bagpipe playing can also be found in this wonderful book which will provide endless delight to booklovers of all ages, Anglophiles, Anno-philes, and children everywhere.

From the dust jacket