Words and pictures to take your breath away

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding- Riding-riding- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door. In Alfred Noyes's thrilling poem, charged with drama and tension, we ride with the highwayman and recoil from the terrible fate that befalls him and his sweetheart Bess, the landlord's daughter. The vivid imagery of the writing is matched by Charles Keeping's haunting illustrations which won him the Kate Greenaway Medal. This new edition features rescanned artwork to capture the breath-taking detail of Keeping's illustrations and a striking new cover.

"Keeping's illustrations are amongst the most powerful images ever to have appeared in children's literature." - Books for Keeps

"The striking quality of these classic poems is such that they still offer excitement and intensity for today's young readers with Keeping's unique interpretation providing a marvellous way into the poetry." - Dave Chant, Carousel

"If you study this poem in KS2, take the opportunity to show pupils the picture book The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - they will enjoy their newly informed understanding of the inspiration behind an old favourite picture book!" - Books for Topics