Step Into Anglo-Saxon Cookham: Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child Brings History, Mystery and Folklore to Life
New middle-grade adventure takes young readers into 8th-century England, inspired by the ongoing archaeological excavation at Cookham Abbey
Author In Me is delighted to announce the publication of Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child by David Gilbert on 29 September 2026 — a new historical adventure for readers aged 8–12, combining real archaeology, Anglo-Saxon history, fantasy and gentle humour.
Inspired by the ongoing archaeological excavation at Cookham Abbey, the novel transports readers to 8th-century England, where ghosts, animals, rival kingdoms, ancient beliefs and magic exist alongside a story rooted in real historical discoveries.
When a chronicler is drawn into the pages of an ancient book and transformed into a kestrel, he finds himself soaring above an Anglo-Saxon monastery near what is now Cookham Abbey. From the skies, he observes a world shaped by loyalty, belief, rivalry and inherited conflict.
Across eleven interconnected chapters rooted in the Saxon age, readers meet a girl who can communicate with eels and a hawk, and a boy who has been raised to believe that revenge against historic enemies is his duty. The mysterious appearances of a ghostly dog and a lost prince draw them further into an adventure where friendship, courage and unexpected encounters begin to challenge old fears and prejudices.
But when the time comes to choose between hate and hope, which path will they take?
At the heart of the novel are themes of courage, prejudice, kindness, belonging and moral choice. Rather than presenting history simply through dates and facts, Gilbert explores the emotions and experiences of the people who lived through it — their fears, friendships, conflicts, beliefs and hopes.
“Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child is an Anglo-Saxon adventure for children aged 8 to 12 and their families. Inspired by the archaeological dig at Cookham Abbey, it brings the dangerous and magical world of early Christian Mercia to life through history, mystery, ghosts and strange creatures, while exploring what it means to be an enemy, a friend and a family.” — David Gilbert
About the Author
David Gilbert is a writer, historian, former Managing Director of Waterstones and Trustee of the Friends of Cookham Abbey, where he leads marketing and supports the organisation’s community engagement programme.
Each summer, the archaeological dig welcomes more than 1,000 visitors, and David regularly brings its history to life through readings for children and families, sometimes accompanied by live music.
David holds an MA in European Literature and gives talks on philosophy, interests that have influenced his exploration of courage, prejudice, kindness and belonging. His mother’s family came to Britain from Germany through the Kindertransport, and their experiences have also shaped his interest in identity, exclusion and the moral choices people make.
A lifelong fascination with prehistory, the Anglo-Saxons and the so-called Dark Ages inspired his debut children’s novel. The story draws directly on discoveries made at Cookham Abbey, including evidence of its possible role as a place of healing and objects associated with the spiritual and magical beliefs of early medieval England.
Through his writing, David hopes to show young readers that history is not simply a collection of dates and facts, but the stories of real people who experienced friendship, joy, fear, conflict and loss — emotions that still connect us centuries later.
A Spooktacular Halloween at the Roald Dahl Museum
Young readers will have the opportunity to step further into the world of Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Childthis Halloween, when David Gilbert hosts a special Spooktacular Workshop at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre on 31 October 2026.
David will lead two interactive sessions, at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm, bringing together storytelling, Anglo-Saxon history, archaeology and some suitably ghostly fun.
Children will hear from the book, discover how real archaeological finds can inspire stories and take part in creative activities connected to its mysterious Anglo-Saxon world. With ghosts, ancient secrets and imagination at its heart, the workshop offers families a playful way to discover the history behind the adventure.
Publication Information
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Publicity for Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child is being handled by Media Hive.
Publication: 29 September 2026
Author: David Gilbert
Publisher: Author In Me (AIM)
Age range: 8–12 years
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-9192655-3-7
RRP: £9.99
Available to order through: Gardners
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